🦞 The Bell & Anchor — Restaurant Network & Camera Modernization
📍 Project Overview
The Bell & Anchor is one of Sag Harbor’s busiest restaurants, and like many long-standing establishments, its technology had grown organically over time. When we were brought in, the entire operation relied on an outdated Linksys router and a single, underpowered access point attempting to serve the dining room, bar, kitchen, office, and guests alike.
Wi-Fi performance was inconsistent, internal systems competed with guest traffic, cabling had become tangled and undocumented, and the existing coax-based camera system was aging and unreliable.

Our objective was to replace the foundation with a commercial-grade UniFi network, clean up years of excess cabling, and modernize security — while designing the system to support future operational needs.

🛠️ What We Did — Phases 1 & 2
Network & Infrastructure Overhaul
• Removed the legacy Linksys router and insufficient access point
• Cleaned up and removed unused and excess cabling throughout the IT area
• Installed a proper rack-mounted network environment with UPS power protection
• Deployed a UniFi Dream Machine Pro as the secure network gateway and controller
• Installed a UniFi Switch Pro PoE to power access points, cameras, and future devices
• Added enterprise-grade storage for UniFi Protect video retention
Purpose-Built Wi-Fi & VLAN Design
We designed the network specifically for a hospitality environment, creating separate, isolated networks to ensure reliability and security:
• Secure/Internal Network — for management systems and trusted devices
• Team Network (VLAN) — isolated Wi-Fi for staff devices
• Guest Network — portal-based guest Wi-Fi, rate-limited and fully isolated
• POS VLAN (Phase 3 readiness) — a dedicated, isolated network provided to the POS vendor

PCI Compliance Context:
The POS VLAN is isolated from all other networks and protected by dedicated firewall and traffic rules. This limits communication strictly to required payment endpoints, reduces the attack surface, and supports PCI DSS compliance requirements — meaning cardholder data is never exposed to guest, staff, or general-purpose devices.

🎥 Security Camera Modernization — Phase 2 Complete
• Removed remaining reliance on legacy coax camera infrastructure
• Installed UniFi IP cameras throughout the restaurant and exterior
• Deployed a mix of 360° cameras, turret cameras, bullet cameras, and instant cameras to ensure full coverage of dining areas, bar, entry points, and back-of-house
• Integrated all cameras into UniFi Protect, eliminating the old standalone DVR
• Enabled centralized, high-resolution monitoring with remote access
✅ Outcome
The Bell & Anchor now operates on a stable, scalable, and secure commercial network:
• Reliable Wi-Fi coverage across dining areas, bar, kitchen, and exterior spaces
• Fully separated networks for guests, staff, internal systems, and POS
• Modern IP camera system replacing aging coax infrastructure
• Clean, organized rack with UPS protection and labeled cabling
• A future-ready platform designed to support additional systems without disruption

What was once a fragile, all-in-one consumer setup is now a professional-grade hospitality network built for performance during peak service.

✨ Result
A restaurant network rebuilt the right way — secure, segmented, reliable, and ready for growth — allowing The Bell & Anchor to focus on what matters most: service, experience, and consistency.