CloudFlare

[iJava]

Ok so lets all be honest Sythe has problems with speed and uptime much due to attacks.

Solution? CloudFlare

A quick overview can be found here - https://www.cloudflare.com/overview/

CloudFlare offer a free CDN which has 17 data centers located around the world. They cache all your static files so that they are stored closer to your visitors. This dramatically increases speed and can save a lot of your bandwidth.

All features for CDN - https://www.cloudflare.com/features-cdn

They also provide a web optimizer - https://www.cloudflare.com/features-optimizer

Last but not least, CloudFlare offer a security service which protects you from attacks from hackers. More information can be found here https://www.cloudflare.com/features-security

Here's an example of CloudFlare statistics for large site :

Now you're probably thinking isn't that just lovely but HOW MUCH??? Well CloudFlare actually has a free plan which provides all three features.... They also have paid plans which protect you more and offer more support.

Now if we were to implement a paid version of CloudFlare I believe that we could lower our actual server bill as CloudFlare will be protecting us. If not then the free plan is better than nothing right?

Compare plans below...

https://www.cloudflare.com/plans

 

[Shaaaaun]

Sorry to shit in your cornflakes but its on the DNS;
- A better server or host
Users would always prefer better. There's a reason we stick to our current host.

 

[iJava]

Sorry to shit in your cornflakes but its on the DNS;
- A better server or host
Users would always prefer better. There's a reason we stick to our current host.

We can keep our current host and have CloudFlare at the same time.

 

[Karl]

Lets not forget to mention that it considerably messes up with the IP logging of the site (considering every HTTP request is proxied), making the IPsearch, one of our more useful tools, completely useless.

No support, it doesn't really work with vBulletin.

 

[iJava]

Lets not forget to mention that it considerably messes up with the IP logging of the site (considering every HTTP request is proxied), making the IPsearch, one of our more useful tools, completely useless.

No support, it doesn't really work with vBulletin.

When did you last read about this/test it. CloudFlare has developed to become more friendly to websites and such functions. There are different settings such as low security which may help.

 

[Karl]

When did you last read about this/test it. CloudFlare has developed to become more friendly to websites and such functions. There are different settings such as low security which may help.

about a week ago was the last time I helped someone with the problem.

Richard and Matthew were told about Cloudflare, and I know they've both looked into it a fair deal.

 

[iJava]

about a week ago was the last time I helped someone with the problem.

Richard and Matthew were told about Cloudflare, and I know they've both looked into it a fair deal.

http://www.cloudflare.com/wiki/VBulletin

I know we're running 3.6.4 but there will be a similar fix to that problem. If they could answer as to why they're not using it that would be great. Most large sites are now using it for protection as well as a lot of hosts.

 

The idea was pitched to Sythe a while ago and he declined for several reasons. If there's really been a notable change in CloudFlare, I have no problem with pitching the idea to him again.

 

[iJava]

The idea was pitched to Sythe a while ago and he declined for several reasons. If there's really been a notable change in CloudFlare, I have no problem with pitching the idea to him again.

I used CloudFlare around a year ago when it was becoming more popular, at the time it was buggy and always display errors. I have just added it to a site and so far have had no problems with it, my ping to the site has decreased by 60ms and is now around 170ms rather than 230ms. Look at the amount of hosting partners they have, some of the big names are there.

 

[Noam]

It may be practical to ditch the current DDoS protection for cloudflare business, but it really depends on compatibility with vBulletein. eitehr way I think there should be some solution to the hosting problems. Larger sites with more members and posts simply don't have these issues

 

[CSSMonstaR]

I suggested this to superman in live chat.

It does need cloudflare, it gets attacked too much when people test out slowloris booters.

 

I use cloud flare on my personal website and it works well, but I still don't think it's suitable for Sythe's needs.

 

[K!D]

I use cloud flare on my personal website and it works well, but I still don't think it's suitable for Sythe's needs.

It will save cache the CSS, plus every static image. This will decrease the loading time AND will decrease server load dramatically. It is worth it.

 

[Karl]

It will save cache the CSS, plus every static image. This will decrease the loading time AND will decrease server load dramatically. It is worth it.

static images are already kept offsite.

 

[Sordeo123]

i personally haven't had a problem with CF, BUT i really don't know if it's what Sythe is looking for...

 

[Eruption]

mmm,i dont know if i support or not Good Suggestion though,has to be with Vbulleiten or they would have to pay for the website themselves,if they dont already

 

[iJava]

mmm,i dont know if i support or not Good Suggestion though,has to be with Vbulleiten or they would have to pay for the website themselves,if they dont already

Sorry? Didn't quite catch that/

 

[FireZ]

No need to talk about this.