Is my dedicated server protected from DDoS attacks, and what is a null route?

Short version: yes, you're protected, with limits. Here's what that means in practice.

Steps

Protection levels depend on your server's plan. Check your plan on the dedicated servers page at https://www.versaweb.com/dedicated-servers/ if you aren't sure.

1. Know what's covered. Managed dedicated servers include DDoS protection for attacks up to 10Gbps / 2Mpps (gigabits and millions of packets per second).
2. Use the protected IPs. Where your server was given a DoS-protected range, public-facing services need to use that range to be covered. Check your welcome email or service page in the portal at https://noc.versaweb.com for your IP details.
3. Understand a null route. If an attack is large enough to threaten the network, the attacked IP address can be blocked (null-routed). Traffic to that IP is dropped, including your legitimate visitors, so the attack stops hurting everyone else.
4. Know how long it lasts. The block stays until we can determine the attack has ceased and is unlikely to return right away.
5. Check if you're affected. From outside your network, run ping YOUR.MAIN.IP or mtr -rw -c 20 YOUR.MAIN.IP. If everything times out but the server is on in the portal, open a ticket.
6. Ask us. Open a ticket in the portal and set Department to Technical Support. Include your Main IP, the time the trouble began, and the affected IP if it isn't the Main IP.

If it didn't work

• Attacks larger than the protected size may need extra handling; ask us in the ticket what applies to your server.
• Under the Acceptable Use Policy, repeated attacks that need staff intervention or affect network performance may require you to buy additional DDoS mitigation.
• Don't reply to every message with a new ticket; one thread keeps the timeline clear.