I'm running a self-hosted file server that handles 1-5 million files each day, and I'm thinking about switching my DNS management to Cloudflare to simplify things and cut costs. Currently, I'm using control panels like cPanel and Plesk for multiple servers, but I want to move away from them altogether. I'm concerned about whether this change will cause any issues, such as flagging my account for suspicious activities. I aim to keep using my own servers to serve files but just need Cloudflare to manage the DNS. I'm also transitioning my CMS to Statamic and exploring Laravel, and this switch is part of that overall strategy.
3 Answers
It really depends on what you're serving. If it's just files like images, JS, or CSS, everything should go smoothly. Just keep in mind that if you enable the Cloudflare proxy for a domain and try to serve video streaming, you might run into issues. With your heavy file usage, though, you should be fine as long as you're not streaming videos through their network.
Before proceeding, make sure you fully understand what DNS does. Switching to Cloudflare won't replace your server control panels; they serve different purposes. Cloudflare is mainly used as a CDN and a firewall, not just for DNS management. But yes, they do offer DNS services too, which can help with reliability and cost.
Remember, changing your DNS won't trigger any flags unless you’re doing something suspicious. Using Cloudflare for DNS doesn’t mean you’re giving up control; it actually might streamline your setup. Just be cautious about how you configure it, especially if you're transitioning away from the control panel management.
I'm looking for DDOS protection and free SSL, so I thought Cloudflare would be a good route. But I hear you on the management side; control panels do help keep things organized.