What are hosting packages in DirectAdmin?

Hosting packages (also called user packages or hosting plans) are templates that define resource limits and features for hosting accounts. As a reseller, you create packages that your clients will be assigned when you create their hosting accounts.

Why create custom packages:

  • Differentiate your offerings: Create Basic, Pro, and Premium tiers
  • Control resource allocation: Set appropriate limits for different client types
  • Streamline account creation: Quickly assign predefined packages when adding clients
  • Prevent overuse: Set limits to prevent any single client from consuming all resources
  • Tiered pricing: Offer different price points based on resource needs

Accessing package management

Step 1: Log in to DirectAdmin reseller

  1. Log in to the client area at https://ca.0724.co.za
  2. Go to Services → My Services
  3. Click your reseller hosting service
  4. Click Log in to DirectAdmin
  5. You will be logged in as a reseller account

Step 2: Navigate to package management

  1. In DirectAdmin, click Account Manager in the left sidebar
  2. Click Manage User Packages or Add / Modify Packages
  3. You will see a list of existing packages (if any)

Creating a new hosting package

Step 1: Click Add Package

  1. On the Manage User Packages page, click Add Package
  2. You will see the package creation form

Step 2: Package name and description

  • Package Name: Internal name (e.g., "basic", "pro", "premium")
  • Package Label: Display name shown to users (e.g., "Basic Hosting", "Professional Plan")
  • Keep naming consistent: Use clear, recognisable names

Step 3: Configure disk space

  • Disk Space Quota: Amount of disk space (in MB)
    • Example values: 1024 MB (1 GB), 5120 MB (5 GB), 10240 MB (10 GB)
    • Set realistic limits based on your reseller allocation
    • Leave room for growth and multiple clients
  • Unlimited: Check "Unlimited" only if you want no disk limit (not recommended)

Step 4: Configure bandwidth

  • Bandwidth Quota: Monthly bandwidth allowance (in MB)
    • Example values: 10240 MB (10 GB), 51200 MB (50 GB), 102400 MB (100 GB)
    • "Unlimited" for unmetered bandwidth (if your reseller plan supports it)
  • Note: Bandwidth resets monthly

Step 5: Configure email limits

  • Email Accounts: Maximum number of email accounts
    • Typical values: 10, 25, 50, 100, or unlimited
    • Consider client needs (small businesses typically need 5-20 accounts)
  • Email Forwarders: Maximum email forwarding rules
    • Typical values: 25, 50, 100, or unlimited
  • Email Autoresponders: Maximum autoresponders
    • Typical values: 10, 25, 50, or unlimited
  • Mailing Lists: Maximum mailing lists (if using DirectAdmin mailing lists)

Step 6: Configure domain limits

  • Domains (Addon Domains): Number of additional domains that can be hosted
    • Typical values: 1 (primary only), 5, 10, 25, or unlimited
    • Each addon domain acts like a separate website
  • Subdomains: Maximum number of subdomains
    • Typical values: 10, 25, 50, or unlimited
  • Domain Pointers (Aliases): Number of domain aliases
    • Typical values: 5, 10, 25, or unlimited

Step 7: Configure database limits

  • MySQL Databases: Maximum number of databases
    • Typical values: 5, 10, 25, 50, or unlimited
    • Most WordPress sites need 1 database, but clients may run multiple sites
  • Note: PostgreSQL may also be available depending on server configuration

Step 8: Configure FTP limits

  • FTP Accounts: Maximum FTP accounts
    • Typical values: 5, 10, 25, or unlimited
    • Most clients need 2-5 FTP accounts

Step 9: Configure advanced limits

  • Inodes: Maximum number of files and folders
    • Typical values: 100000 (100k), 250000 (250k), 500000 (500k)
    • Prevents excessive file count which can slow down servers
    • WordPress sites typically use 10k-30k inodes
  • CGI Access: Enable/disable CGI scripts (typically enabled)
  • PHP Access: Enable/disable PHP (typically enabled)
  • SSL Access: Enable/disable SSL certificates (typically enabled)
  • SSH Access: Enable/disable SSH access (typically disabled for security)
  • Cron Jobs: Enable/disable scheduled tasks (typically enabled)

Step 10: Save the package

  1. Review all settings
  2. Click Create or Save
  3. Package is now available when creating new user accounts

Example hosting package configurations

Basic / Starter Package

Ideal for small websites, blogs, or personal projects:

  • Disk Space: 2 GB (2048 MB)
  • Bandwidth: 20 GB (20480 MB)
  • Email Accounts: 10
  • Databases: 5
  • Addon Domains: 1 (primary domain only)
  • Subdomains: 10
  • FTP Accounts: 5
  • Inodes: 100,000
  • Pricing suggestion: R50-R100/month

Professional / Business Package

For small businesses and growing websites:

  • Disk Space: 10 GB (10240 MB)
  • Bandwidth: 100 GB (102400 MB)
  • Email Accounts: 50
  • Databases: 25
  • Addon Domains: 5
  • Subdomains: 50
  • FTP Accounts: 10
  • Inodes: 250,000
  • Pricing suggestion: R150-R300/month

Premium / Enterprise Package

For larger businesses, agencies, or high-traffic sites:

  • Disk Space: 50 GB (51200 MB) or unlimited
  • Bandwidth: Unlimited
  • Email Accounts: Unlimited
  • Databases: Unlimited
  • Addon Domains: Unlimited or 25
  • Subdomains: Unlimited
  • FTP Accounts: Unlimited
  • Inodes: 500,000
  • Pricing suggestion: R400-R800/month

Editing existing packages

Modifying a package:

  1. Go to Account Manager → Manage User Packages
  2. Find the package you want to edit
  3. Click Modify or the package name
  4. Update resource limits or features
  5. Click Save

Impact on existing users:

  • Changes apply immediately: When you modify a package, all users assigned to that package receive the new limits
  • Downgrades: Be cautious when reducing limits — users over new limits may experience issues
  • Upgrades: Increasing limits is safe and applies instantly
  • Communication: Notify clients if significantly changing package limits

Deleting packages

Before deleting:

  • Check usage: Ensure no users are assigned to the package
  • Migrate users: Move users to different packages before deletion
  • Cannot delete: Packages assigned to active users cannot be deleted

To delete a package:

  1. Go to Account Manager → Manage User Packages
  2. Find the package to delete
  3. Click Delete (only available if no users assigned)
  4. Confirm deletion

Assigning packages to users

Packages are assigned when creating new user accounts:

  1. Go to Account Manager → Add New User
  2. Fill in user details (username, email, domain, password)
  3. Select package from Package dropdown
  4. Package limits are automatically applied
  5. Click Create

See Managing Reseller User Accounts for full account creation guide.

Package vs user overrides

Package-based limits:

  • Default limits defined by the package template
  • Applied to all users on that package
  • Changes to package affect all users

User-specific overrides:

  • You can override limits for individual users
  • Go to List Users → Select user → Modify User
  • Change limits for that user only
  • User-specific limits override package defaults

Best practices for package creation

  • Start conservative: Begin with lower limits and increase based on demand
  • Monitor resource usage: Check reseller usage to ensure you don't oversell
  • Leave buffer room: Don't allocate 100% of your resources — keep 20-30% buffer
  • Limit "unlimited": Avoid unlimited settings unless necessary; use high limits instead
  • Inode limits matter: Set reasonable inode limits to prevent server strain
  • Disable SSH by default: Enable SSH only for clients who specifically need it
  • Create 3-4 tiers: Basic, Pro, Premium structure works well
  • Document packages: Keep notes on what each package includes for client communication

Resource allocation strategy

Understanding your reseller limits:

  1. Check your total reseller allocation in DirectAdmin
  2. Example: 50 GB disk, 500 GB bandwidth, unlimited email/databases
  3. Calculate how many accounts each package allows

Example resource math:

If your reseller account has 50 GB disk space:

  • Basic (2 GB each): Can create ~20 accounts
  • Pro (10 GB each): Can create ~4 accounts
  • Mix strategy: 15 Basic + 2 Pro = 30GB + 20GB = 50GB total
  • Buffer: Aim for 80% capacity (40GB usage) to leave room for growth

Monitoring package usage

View resource consumption:

  1. Go to Account Manager → List Users
  2. View disk and bandwidth usage per user
  3. Identify users approaching limits
  4. Contact users to upgrade or optimise

Reseller resource summary:

  • DirectAdmin dashboard shows total reseller usage
  • Monitor disk, bandwidth, and user count
  • Receive warnings if approaching limits
  • Upgrade reseller plan if needed

Common package management issues

Issue: Cannot modify package

  • Package in use: Packages assigned to users can still be modified
  • Permission error: Ensure you have reseller-level access
  • DirectAdmin issue: Try logging out and back in

Issue: User exceeds new limits after downgrade

If you reduce package limits and a user is over the new limit:

  • User receives "quota exceeded" errors
  • User must delete files/emails to get under limit
  • Consider warning users before downgrading packages
  • Alternatively, set user-specific overrides temporarily

Issue: Overselling resources

If you create too many accounts or set limits too high:

  • Reseller account exceeds allocated resources
  • All users may experience performance issues
  • Contact 0724 Hosting to upgrade reseller plan
  • Reduce package limits or migrate some users to other resellers

Getting help with package management

If you need assistance creating hosting packages, calculating resource allocation, or troubleshooting package issues, contact 0724 Hosting support. We can help with:

  • Recommending appropriate package limits
  • Calculating resource allocation for your reseller plan
  • Troubleshooting package modification issues
  • Upgrading your reseller plan for more resources
  • Best practices for South African hosting businesses
  • Setting up custom branding for packages