Question 4
Subject: Cloudflare Nameservers
How are Cloudflare's nameservers different from the DNS provided by Google DNS or OpenDNS? Can I delegate to Cloudflare nameservers while still using my host’s DNS?
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Thank you for your inquiry about Cloudflare's nameservers and DNS functionality. Here’s a breakdown of how Cloudflare’s nameservers differ from those provided by Google DNS or OpenDNS, and how you can use them together:
- Cloudflare vs. Google DNS/OpenDNS: Cloudflare’s nameservers are designed to handle DNS requests for your domain and provide security features such as DDoS protection and performance optimizations. Google DNS and OpenDNS are public DNS resolvers that handle queries from end users but do not provide the same level of security or performance features for domain management.
- Delegation to Cloudflare Nameservers: When you use Cloudflare’s nameservers for your domain, Cloudflare becomes the authoritative DNS provider for your domain. This means Cloudflare manages DNS records and provides the features associated with its services. You cannot delegate to Cloudflare nameservers and use a different DNS provider simultaneously for the same domain.
- Using Your Host’s DNS: If you want to use Cloudflare’s features but still manage DNS records through your hosting provider, you would need to delegate DNS management to Cloudflare. This involves pointing your domain’s nameservers to Cloudflare. Afterward, you can configure DNS records through the Cloudflare dashboard, while still benefiting from Cloudflare’s security and performance enhancements.
- Possible Hybrid Configurations: If you require a hybrid configuration, you might consider using Cloudflare as a CDN or for specific services while maintaining your current DNS setup. However, this setup generally involves using Cloudflare's services in a manner where it doesn’t fully replace your existing DNS management but complements it.
If you need further assistance with setting up Cloudflare or have specific requirements, please let me know, and I'll be happy to help!