The modem/router is the backbone to the network in your site. So if after reading the guide from our networking guru’s on best practice tips for choosing a strong router, we wouldnt judge you for going out and choosing something more suited to your business needs** - in fact, we have a whole team of tech heads who would cheer out loud if you told them.
Swapping your router is unfortunately not just plug and play. There are a few things you’ll want to double check so the changeover is smooth and doesn’t interrupt your service.
** Routers can also be swapped out for other reasons such as damage, changing service providers, old age etc. 😉
What's in this guide?
Modem or Router?
This is a question that gets asked all the time - similar to the difference between Internet or Wi-Fi - this is a common question that can leave us stumped.
Modem - When the internet comes from your internet service provider to your site, the modem is what receives the signal. It handles all conversation with the outside world (the internet).
Router - The router, on the other hand, creates a network for all of your devices (e.g. printers & iPads) to talk to each other. Each device needs to connect to the router either via ethernet cable (ie printers) or via wi-fi (ie iPads etc.) When these devices are connected, the router gives them all a unique IP address so that it can direct and control traffic correctly.
While these two devices do very different jobs, they are both needed in order to connect your network to the internet. With that in mind, it is very common to see both of these devices built into the same box called a Modem/Router. Most internet providers will send one Modem/Router to you with your new subscription instead of separate modems and routers.
What to Expect
As we just mentioned, each router assigns unique IP addresses to each device in the network. An address is four numbers each separated by a “.” just like this > 0.0.0.0
However, it is common for routers to use different ranges of addresses. For example, your old router might give out addresses ranging from 10.0.0.1 to 10.0.0.99 whereas your new router might be giving out addresses from 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.99.
It’s kind of like trying to call someone in another country without the international dialling code.
For all your devices using Kounta to be able to talk to each other they need to be in the same address range - this means that the first three numbers all match in the address ie 192.168.1.27 and 192.168.1.100
Thankfully this problem can be quickly solved with one of the following options;
Option 1 - Search and find your new printers
If you are using an iPad or Android as your POS and using Kounta App Printing as your printing method, then there it is most likely that your printers have DHCP enabled - confirm this by printing a status report and if they do, they will find a new IP address by themselves once they are connected to the new router and restarted.
If so - update the IP address from the printers page in Kounta Back Office.
Option 2 - Re-configure your printer settings from your OLD router
If your old router has not yet died and, your printers have been set up with static (never changing) IP addresses, then you should log into these devices while you are still using the old router and change these IP addresses to match the address range for your new router.
If you had a network specialist install your network, then you should reach out to them to help you change these addresses if needed.
Option 3: Reset & re-connect your printers
If your OLD router can no longer be used and, your printers have static IP addresses then you may need to factory reset your printers and re-enable DHCP then, set up your printers to Kounta again - the same as when you set your printers the first time.
Option 4: (Advanced) Reconfigure your NEW modem’s IP address range
This option requires a little more experience than the average person - so only attempt this if you know what you are doing or, you can get a network specialist to do this for you.
Change the IP range used by the NEW router's DHCP client to match the address range of your OLD router.
This is typically done via the configuration page of your router and is often documented on their support material. This setting is advanced and you may wish to contact your internet provider (ISP) to assist with this change.
Option 5: Contact a Kounta Networking Specialist Partner
These IT specialists can quickly get in touch and help remotely or make a site visit to re-configure your router & printers to get you up and running in no time.
Please contact email@example.com to arrange an introduction.
What's my next step?
Think you might need a stronger network? Our tech pro’s have a couple of tips & tricks to follow when setting up your network