CloudFlare Extension – Useful?

  • I have an interesting problem. Not really technical, but political in nature.

    I am on hosting with 1and1, and part of my hosting package includes the CloudFlare CDN. When I tried to use the CloudFlare extension for W3 Total Cache I was required to obtain an API key. Unfortunately, after speaking with both CloudFlare and 1&1, I was told that due to privacy concerns in the EU, I don’t actually get a CloudFlare account, so I cannot login and obtain the API key. I’m in NV, USA so it’s difficult to understand what this has to do with the EU.

    So I’m at a decision point: Forget the extension and just run W3TC without it? Is this ok? Am I losing out on valuable speed improvements?

    My other option is if I want to use this extension is to disable the CDN in my hosting and set up the CDN external to my hosting account, thus incurring more annual charges. But is it worth it?

    Thanks for any and all advice.

    -Lou

    https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/w3-total-cache/

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  • The primary reason to put CloudFlare in the plugin is to restore original visitor IP. Given that 1and1 is a partner & they have mod_cloudlare installed, you really shouldn’t have to configure CloudFlare in the W3TC plugin.

    Hello,

    I’m actually facing the exact same problem, but technical in nature. Not political…

    Does it mean, that I should leave W3 TC the way it is and add nothing in the CDN fields?

    I upgraded my 1and1 account to get this CDN and a faster user experience, but it really doesn’t change much.

    thanks

    Let me explain what these partners do. IN the EU the privacy concern is that your account would be shared between you and your hosting company meaning through your CPanel when it is activated you would run into an issue where both would need access to the account. So how do you use both?

    You can still use CloudFlare in the EU you just need to sign up for your own account and run it through the CloudFlare extension. From there you should see speed improvements and be able to fine tune it to your website. I hope this helps.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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