What should you do if the primary mirror site fails and the backup domains are no longer under your control?

I know it's easier said than done, but panicking ain't gonna solve nothing. We need a clear head to tackle this situation. So, grab a cup of tea, maybe a biscuit or two, and let's roll up our sleeves and get to work.

1. Assess the damage: Before you do anything else, you need to understand exactly what you're dealing with. Check if your primary mirror site's really down for the count, or if it's just a temporary blip. While you're at it, make sure those backup domains are truly gone, and not just playing hide and seek. You can use tools like DownDetector, IsItDownRightNow, or even good ol' Google to check the status of your sites.

2. Get in touch with your hosting provider: If your primary mirror site's down, your hosting provider's gonna be your first port of call. Give 'em a bell, explain the situation, and see if they can shed any light on what's going on. Maybe it's a server issue, maybe it's a problem with your account - either way, they should be able to give you some answers. And if they can't, well, it might be time to start looking for a new hosting provider. After all, if they can't keep your site up and running, what good are they?

3. Try to regain control of your backup domains: Now, this one might be a bit tricky, but it's worth a shot. If those backup domains were registered in your name at some point, there might still be a chance you can get them back. Check with the domain registrar to see if there's any way to transfer them back into your account. It might involve jumping through some hoops, but if it means saving your sites, it'll be worth it.

4. Check for any redemption periods: If your backup domains were registered with a different account, there might still be a chance to save them, thanks to something called a redemption period. This is a grace period after a domain expires, during which you can still renew it, even if it's been released back into the wild. Check with the domain registrar to see if any of your backup domains are still in their redemption period. If they are, snap 'em up quick, before someone else beats you to it.

5. Look for alternative backup options: Alright, so your backup domains are gone, and you can't get 'em back. It's a setback, sure, but it's not the end of the world. There are plenty of other backup options out there, you just need to know where to look. Here are a few ideas:

Subdomains: You could set up subdomains on an existing domain you control. They're not quite as flexible as full-fat domains, but they'll do in a pinch. Plus, they're usually free, so that's a bonus.

New domains: If you can't get your old backup domains back, it's time to start fresh with some new ones. They might not have the same brand recognition as your original domains, but they'll still get the job done.

Social media profiles: While they're not a replacement for a proper website, social media profiles can be a handy backup option. They might not have all the bells and whistles of a full-blown site, but they'll let you communicate with your audience and share important information.

6. Update your DNS settings: Once you've got your backup options sorted, it's time to update your DNS settings to point your traffic to your new backup site. This is where being a webmaster comes in handy - you'll need to log in to your domain registrar's control panel and update the A records for your domains. If you're not sure how to do this, a quick Google search should point you in the right direction. And if all else fails, give your hosting provider a call - they should be able to help you out.

7. Inform your users: With your backup site up and running, it's time to let your users know what's going on. Send out an email, update your social media profiles, and put up a notice on your primary mirror site (if it's still accessible) letting everyone know about the switch. The more heads-up you can give 'em, the better.

8. Monitor the situation: With your backup site up and running, it's time to keep an eye on things and make sure everything's working as it should. Check your site's uptime, keep an eye on your traffic, and make sure your users can access the content they need. And while you're at it, it might be a good idea to start thinking about a more robust backup strategy, so you're not caught off guard again.

Firstly, why do you need mirrors, especially on diffrent hosts?

It's crucial for DNS servers, even caching ones, to verify accessibility before assigning an IP. You could set up one DNS server with one mirror, and another with a different mirror, each prioritizing its own IP.
However, don't expect immediate switchover. Instead, there's an automatic failover if one server goes down. Also, consider regular updates to ensure efficiency.