Cloudflare + Hosting Deployment Guide (Auto Run as Windows System)

Deploying a website securely without exposing your server directly to the internet is a modern and recommended approach. This guide explains how to use Cloudflare with a Windows-based server (such as WAMP) and configure it to run automatically as a Windows system service.

1. What Is Cloudflare and Why Use It?

Cloudflare is a global network that provides:

DDoS protection
Free SSL (HTTPS)
DNS management
Performance optimization
Security firewall

Using Cloudflare allows you to keep your Windows server hidden from direct public access.

2. Recommended Deployment Architecture

Instead of opening router ports, Cloudflare Tunnel creates a secure outbound connection.

User → Cloudflare → Secure Tunnel → Windows Server (WAMP)

This architecture avoids port forwarding and significantly improves security.

3. Prerequisites

A registered domain name
Cloudflare account
Windows PC or server
Apache/WAMP running locally
Administrator access on Windows

4. Add Domain to Cloudflare

Log in to Cloudflare and add your domain. Update your domain registrar’s nameservers to Cloudflare’s provided nameservers.

Once DNS is active, Cloudflare will manage traffic.

5. Install Cloudflare Tunnel (cloudflared)

Download the Cloudflare Tunnel client for Windows:

Cloudflare Tunnel Installation Guide

Extract the cloudflared.exe file to:

C:\cloudflared\

6. Authenticate Cloudflare Tunnel

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

cloudflared tunnel login

A browser window will open. Log in and authorize your domain.

7. Create a Tunnel

cloudflared tunnel create my-windows-server

This generates a tunnel ID and credentials file.

8. Configure Tunnel Routing

Create a configuration file:

C:\cloudflared\config.yml

Example configuration:

tunnel: YOUR_TUNNEL_ID
credentials-file: C:\Users\YourUser\.cloudflared\YOUR_TUNNEL_ID.json

ingress:
  - hostname: example.com
    service: http://127.0.0.1:80
  - service: http_status:404

This routes public traffic securely to your local Apache server.

9. DNS Configuration in Cloudflare

In Cloudflare DNS settings:

Type: CNAME
Name: example.com
Target: YOUR_TUNNEL_ID.cfargotunnel.com
Proxy: Enabled

Cloudflare now handles HTTPS automatically.

10. Run Cloudflare Tunnel Automatically as Windows System

To ensure the tunnel runs even without user login, install it as a Windows service.

Run Command Prompt as Administrator:

cloudflared service install

This installs Cloudflare Tunnel as a Windows SYSTEM service.

Start the service:

net start Cloudflared

11. Auto-Start WAMP Services

Ensure Apache and database services start automatically:

sc config wampapache64 start= auto
sc config wampmysqld64 start= auto
sc config wampmariadb64 start= auto

This allows your website to be available immediately after reboot.

12. Firewall and Security Benefits

With Cloudflare Tunnel:

No open ports required
No router configuration needed
Server IP remains hidden
HTTPS enabled by default

This setup is far more secure than traditional hosting.

13. Testing Deployment

After setup, test your website:

https://example.com

If Apache and Cloudflare Tunnel are running, your website should load securely.

14. Maintenance and Monitoring

Check Windows Services status
Monitor Cloudflare dashboard
Update cloudflared periodically
Restart services after system updates

Conclusion

Using Cloudflare with a Windows-based server provides enterprise-level security without complex networking. By running Cloudflare Tunnel and WAMP as Windows system services, you achieve a reliable, secure, and always-on hosting environment.

This deployment method is ideal for small businesses, developers, and internal tools that require secure public access without exposing the server.

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