Overview
This article explains how to create a free account at Cloudflare and configure your DreamHost nameserver records to point to Cloudflare. View the following for further details on the free Cloudflare plan:
This article assumes you have purchased your domain registration at DreamHost and are updating your domain's nameservers to point to Cloudflare.
If you have purchased your domain registration outside of DreamHost, you will need to update your domain’s nameservers with the company where your domain is registered.
DNSSEC
Before proceeding, make sure your DreamHost domain is not using DNSSEC. You can check at the following site:
Enter your domain name to check. If you see any RED X icons, your domain is not using DNSSEC and you can proceed with the following steps. Otherwise, contact support for assistance.
Creating a free account
The following steps walk you through creating a free Cloudflare account.
- Sign up for a Cloudflare account.
- After creating an account you are logged into your dashboard.
- On the top right, click the Add Site button.
- Add your domain name, then click the Add site button.
- A page opens displaying different Cloudflare plans.
- Under the Free option, click the Get started button.
- The next page lists your current DNS records at DreamHost.
This scan is not guaranteed to find all of your domain's DNS records. Review all DNS records listed to confirm they are correct or if any are missing. View the following article for further details:
View the following article if you need to add any missing records:
- A message informs you that your domain is currently in a Pending state with Cloudflare. This means that it has not yet been verified with Cloudflare.
- Scroll down to the bottom and click the Continue button.
- The next page explains that you must update your nameservers at DreamHost to point to Cloudflare.
- The instructions on this page display your site's unique Cloudflare nameservers. You must now add these records to your domain at DreamHost. In this example, the nameservers are:
- lilyana.ns.cloudflare.com
- santino.ns.cloudflare.com
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If you domain is not registered at DreamHost, you will instead need to change your nameservers at the registrar where you purchased the domain. View the following article for more information:
- Log into your account at DreamHost.
- Navigate to the Manage Websites page.
- Open the DNS Settings page:
- If in Grid view, click the 'vertical 3 dots' button under your domain. From the popout menu, click the DNS Settings link.
- If in List view, click the 'vertical 3 dots' button to the right of your domain. From the popout menu, click the DNS Settings link.
- The domain's DNS records display.
- Scroll down to the Nameservers section and click the Change button.
- Click the I'll use my own nameservers radio button.
- Delete the three DreamHost nameservers. Then add the two Cloudflare nameservers.
- Click the Save button.
- After you save the records, they will be visible on your domain's DNS page.
- Back in the Cloudflare panel, click the Done, check nameservers button.
- On the next page, select your recommendation options.
- The nameservers may take over 24hrs to fully update. Cloudflare informs you that you'll be emailed when the site is active. You could also click the Check nameservers button to initiate a manual check.
- When the nameservers have updated, the Cloudflare panel will confirm your site is now protected.
Add an SSL certificate
View the following article for steps on how to add and configure an SSL certificate at Cloudflare:
Enable DNSSEC
At this point, your nameservers are now pointing to Cloudflare and you are able to enable DNSSEC on your domain. This is optional, but can help to secure your domain. View the following article for further details.
