Question 4

Subject: Cloudflare Nameservers

Customer Query: 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?

Response

Hi there,

Great question there are some key differences between Cloudflare's nameservers and those offered by providers like Google DNS or OpenDNS. I'll break it down:

How Cloudflare Nameservers Stand Out:

  • Built-In Integration: Cloudflare's nameservers are deeply integrated with our security, performance, and caching tools. When your domain uses our nameservers, your site can take advantage of features like CDN acceleration, DDoS protection, and smart caching — all baked right in.
  • Traffic Proxying (Orange Cloud): Unlike traditional DNS services that just resolve domain names (like Google DNS or OpenDNS), Cloudflare can proxy your traffic through our network. This allows us to protect and optimize your site as traffic passes through.
  • Performance: Our global network is designed for speed — with DNS resolution times averaging under 10ms worldwide. That means faster site performance for your users.

About Using Cloudflare with Your Host's DNS

To use Cloudflare's full services (like proxying and security), you'll need to delegate your domain to Cloudflare's nameservers exclusively. Unfortunately, you can't mix Cloudflare's nameservers with your hosting provider's DNS. Here's a guide that explains this setup in more detail:
🔗 Full Setup with Cloudflare Nameservers

That said, if you need more flexibility:

  • You can use Cloudflare in DNS-only mode (grey cloud), which lets you manage DNS without traffic going through our proxy.
  • Or consider CNAME setup for certain subdomains if you want to keep your current nameservers but still use some Cloudflare features.

Hope this clears things up! If you have any follow-up questions or want help picking the best setup for your use case, just let me know.

All the best,
Aviv
Cloudflare Support

Thought Process

This question requires a clear explanation of the fundamental differences between traditional DNS providers and Cloudflare's integrated DNS/proxy system. The customer appears to be confused about how these services interact.

I would use these resources to help explain:

  • Cloudflare DNS Documentation: To explain the technical differences
  • Visual aids: Diagrams showing how traffic flows with and without Cloudflare proxying
  • Setup guides: To offer different implementation options

My approach is to first clarify the key differences, then address the specific question about using both systems simultaneously. I've provided alternatives to help the customer find a solution that meets their needs while being technically accurate about the limitations.

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