Overview
This document is intended for Arcticel reseller partners setting up their hosting platform for the first time. It outlines everything from branding and infrastructure setup to DNS configuration, client onboarding, email, security, backups, and best practices.
Arcticel provides a modular, performance-focused cloud hosting stack, offering complete white-label flexibility, centralized management, and the ability to scale according to your client base.
1. Initial Setup
Admin Access
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You will receive secure login credentials to your own branded control panel (e.g.,
panel.yourhostingbrand.com). -
On first login, it is recommended to update your password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
Branding Configuration
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Access your settings panel to upload:
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Your logo and favicon
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Login screen imagery
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Contact information for your support team
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Legal information (privacy policy, T&Cs links)
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Update any email templates (e.g., welcome messages, password resets) to reflect your brand voice.
2. DNS & Nameserver Setup
To operate a fully white-labelled service, you’ll need to configure custom nameservers and DNS zones.
Custom Nameservers
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Arcticel will provide two or more IP addresses.
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You should create the following glue records with your domain registrar:
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These nameservers can then be configured within your hosting platform and shared with your clients for domain setup.
Registrar Configuration
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Log into your domain registrar and create host records (
ns1,ns2) pointing to the provided IPs. -
Update the WHOIS information to reflect your business name, address, and administrative contacts for a fully white-labelled experience.
DNS Zone Management
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Each hosted domain will have its own DNS zone.
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Within the platform, users can manage:
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A Records (points domain/subdomains to IPs)
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CNAME Records (aliases one domain to another)
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MX Records (mail routing)
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TXT Records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC for email deliverability)
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SRV Records (used in VOIP, remote desktop)
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Automatic propagation and basic templates can be applied during domain creation.
3. Creating Hosting Packages
Before onboarding clients, define your available service tiers.
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Access the package manager and create hosting plans with:
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Disk space (e.g., 10GB, 50GB)
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Bandwidth allowance
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Mailboxes allowed
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Databases permitted
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Domain or subdomain limits
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Optional restrictions like inode counts or file size limits
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Packages can be tailored to individuals, businesses, or developers, and can later be edited as your services evolve.
4. Customer Management & Onboarding
Adding a New Client
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Go to the customer management area and click “Add New.”
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Fill in:
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Full name
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Email address
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Temporary password
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Assigned package
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The system will automatically send a welcome email (customizable in your settings) containing login details and links to access the control panel.
Client Features
Clients will be able to:
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Add websites and domains
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Install SSL certificates
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Access file managers and FTP accounts
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Create email accounts and databases
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Manage DNS zones
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Clone or stage websites (if enabled)
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Monitor performance and usage metrics
5. Email Hosting Configuration
Email is included as part of most hosting packages. Clients can access:
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Webmail via Roundcube (included)
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IMAP/SMTP connectivity for use with email clients like Outlook or Apple Mail
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Autoresponders and forwarders
Deliverability Configuration
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You or your client must configure DNS records for:
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SPF (TXT record authorizing sending IPs)
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DKIM (TXT record with cryptographic signature)
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DMARC (policy record for domain enforcement)
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Arcticel can assist with best-practice setup and provide test utilities for verification.
6. Website & Application Deployment
Your clients can:
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Add and manage domains or subdomains
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Install applications (e.g., WordPress, Joomla, Drupal) via 1-click installer
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Select from multiple PHP versions per site
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Use Git for deployment if enabled
Advanced users can manage cron jobs, environment variables, and staging sites.
7. Backups & Disaster Recovery
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Daily automated backups are taken for each account (files, databases, configuration).
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Clients can manually restore full or partial backups through the panel.
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Arcticel maintains offsite encrypted backups for all resellers in the event of hardware failure or data loss.
Optional: You may request external backup configuration (to Wasabi, Backblaze, S3, etc.).
8. Security & Isolation
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Each site is containerized and isolated from others at the OS level.
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Role-based access control and 2FA are available for both you and your clients.
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Optional add-ons:
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Web Application Firewall (WAF)
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Malware scanning and patching
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IP blocklists and rate-limiting
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SSH/SFTP access is granted per user/site with audit logging.
9. Support & Monitoring
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As a reseller, you are responsible for frontline customer support unless otherwise agreed.
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Arcticel provides:
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24/7 infrastructure-level support
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Escalation paths for technical issues
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Status page and incident alerts
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Resellers may opt for direct Slack or WhatsApp integration for faster response.
10. Integrations & Billing
Billing is not handled natively, but full API support allows for:
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WHMCS integration
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Clientexec or custom billing portals
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Stripe and PayPal payment processing
You may also set usage-based limits (e.g., soft or hard quotas), expiry dates, and account status manually via the admin dashboard.
11. Best Practices
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Ensure DNS and SSL are configured immediately after domain setup
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Regularly audit client accounts for overuse or inactive services
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Enable MFA and limit admin roles where possible
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Configure remote backups and disaster recovery plans
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Update your branding and documentation regularly to maintain a professional user experience
Still Need Help?
Contact the Arcticel technical support team at [email protected] or via your assigned partner success manager. We also offer bespoke onboarding and migration support for new resellers.
