Merge remote-tracking branch 'origin/main' into embedded-vnc

# Conflicts:
#	client/proto/daemon.pb.go
#	client/ssh/proxy/proxy_test.go
#	client/wasm/cmd/main.go
#	shared/management/http/api/types.gen.go

client/internal/connect.go

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"runtime/debug"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/cenkalti/backoff/v4"
@@ -54,6 +55,10 @@ var androidRunOverride func(c *ConnectClient, runningChan chan struct{}, logPath
 
 type ConnectClient struct {
 	ctx            context.Context
+	runCancel      context.CancelFunc
+	runExited      chan struct{}
+	runOnce        sync.Once
+	runStarted     atomic.Bool
 	config         *profilemanager.Config
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status
 
@@ -70,8 +75,14 @@ func NewConnectClient(
 	config *profilemanager.Config,
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status,
 ) *ConnectClient {
+	// Derive the run context here so Stop owns the cancel that unblocks the run
+	// loop. runCancel is set once at construction, so Stop can call it without
+	// racing the run loop's startup. Callers therefore need not cancel before Stop.
+	runCtx, runCancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
 	return &ConnectClient{
-		ctx:            ctx,
+		ctx:            runCtx,
+		runCancel:      runCancel,
+		runExited:      make(chan struct{}),
 		config:         config,
 		statusRecorder: statusRecorder,
 		engineMutex:    sync.Mutex{},
@@ -118,6 +129,8 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) RunOniOS(
 	networkChangeListener listener.NetworkChangeListener,
 	dnsManager dns.IosDnsManager,
 	stateFilePath string,
+	cacheDir string,
+	logFilePath string,
 ) error {
 	// Set GC percent to 5% to reduce memory usage as iOS only allows 50MB of memory for the extension.
 	debug.SetGCPercent(5)
@@ -127,11 +140,17 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) RunOniOS(
 		NetworkChangeListener: networkChangeListener,
 		DnsManager:            dnsManager,
 		StateFilePath:         stateFilePath,
+		TempDir:               cacheDir,
 	}
-	return c.run(mobileDependency, nil, "")
+	return c.run(mobileDependency, nil, logFilePath)
 }
 
 func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan struct{}, logPath string) error {
+	// Mark the loop as started and signal exit on return so Stop can wait for
+	// the loop to finish (and skip the wait if the loop never ran).
+	c.runStarted.Store(true)
+	defer c.runOnce.Do(func() { close(c.runExited) })
+
 	defer func() {
 		if r := recover(); r != nil {
 			rec := c.statusRecorder
@@ -287,7 +306,7 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 			log.Debug(err)
 			if s, ok := gstatus.FromError(err); ok && (s.Code() == codes.PermissionDenied) {
 				state.Set(StatusNeedsLogin)
-				_ = c.Stop()
+				c.runCancel()
 				return backoff.Permanent(wrapErr(err)) // unrecoverable error
 			}
 			return wrapErr(err)
@@ -407,14 +426,10 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 		c.engine = nil
 		c.engineMutex.Unlock()
 
-		// todo: consider to remove this condition. Is not thread safe.
-		// We should always call Stop(), but we need to verify that it is idempotent
-		if engine.wgInterface != nil {
-			log.Infof("ensuring %s is removed, Netbird engine context cancelled", engine.wgInterface.Name())
+		log.Infof("ensuring wg interface is removed, Netbird engine context cancelled")
 
-			if err := engine.Stop(); err != nil {
-				log.Errorf("Failed to stop engine: %v", err)
-			}
+		if err := engine.Stop(); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("Failed to stop engine: %v", err)
 		}
 		c.statusRecorder.ClientTeardown()
 
@@ -430,12 +445,12 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 	}
 
 	c.statusRecorder.ClientStart()
-	err = backoff.Retry(operation, backOff)
+	err = backoff.Retry(operation, backoff.WithContext(backOff, c.ctx))
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Debugf("exiting client retry loop due to unrecoverable error: %s", err)
 		if s, ok := gstatus.FromError(err); ok && (s.Code() == codes.PermissionDenied) {
 			state.Set(StatusNeedsLogin)
-			_ = c.Stop()
+			c.runCancel()
 		}
 		return err
 	}
@@ -513,11 +528,9 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) Status() StatusType {
 }
 
 func (c *ConnectClient) Stop() error {
-	engine := c.Engine()
-	if engine != nil {
-		if err := engine.Stop(); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("stop engine: %w", err)
-		}
+	c.runCancel()
+	if c.runStarted.Load() {
+		<-c.runExited
 	}
 	return nil
 }

client/internal/debug/debug.go

@@ -250,6 +250,7 @@ type BundleGenerator struct {
 	syncResponse   *mgmProto.SyncResponse
 	logPath        string
 	tempDir        string
+	statePath      string
 	cpuProfile     []byte
 	capturePath    string
 	refreshStatus  func() // Optional callback to refresh status before bundle generation
@@ -276,6 +277,7 @@ type GeneratorDependencies struct {
 	SyncResponse   *mgmProto.SyncResponse
 	LogPath        string
 	TempDir        string // Directory for temporary bundle zip files. If empty, os.TempDir() is used.
+	StatePath      string // Path to the state file. If empty, the ServiceManager default path is used.
 	CPUProfile     []byte
 	CapturePath    string
 	RefreshStatus  func()
@@ -299,6 +301,7 @@ func NewBundleGenerator(deps GeneratorDependencies, cfg BundleConfig) *BundleGen
 		syncResponse:   deps.SyncResponse,
 		logPath:        deps.LogPath,
 		tempDir:        deps.TempDir,
+		statePath:      deps.StatePath,
 		cpuProfile:     deps.CPUProfile,
 		capturePath:    deps.CapturePath,
 		refreshStatus:  deps.RefreshStatus,
@@ -856,8 +859,11 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) maskSecrets() {
 }
 
 func (g *BundleGenerator) addStateFile() error {
-	sm := profilemanager.NewServiceManager("")
-	path := sm.GetStatePath()
+	path := g.statePath
+	if path == "" {
+		sm := profilemanager.NewServiceManager("")
+		path = sm.GetStatePath()
+	}
 	if path == "" {
 		return nil
 	}

client/internal/debug/debug_ios.go

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+//go:build ios
+
+package debug
+
+import (
+	"path/filepath"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+// swiftLogFile is the Swift app log written by the iOS app into the same log
+// directory as the Go client log, so it can be collected into the bundle.
+const swiftLogFile = "swift-log.log"
+
+// addPlatformLog collects logs for the iOS debug bundle. iOS has no logcat or
+// systemd journal, so we rely on file-based logs. addLogfile handles the Go
+// client log (logPath) with rotation, the stderr/stdout companions and
+// anonymization. The iOS app writes its own Swift log into the same directory,
+// so we add it alongside the Go log.
+func (g *BundleGenerator) addPlatformLog() error {
+	if err := g.addLogfile(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if g.logPath == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	swiftLogPath := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(g.logPath), swiftLogFile)
+	if err := g.addSingleLogfile(swiftLogPath, swiftLogFile); err != nil {
+		// The Swift log is best-effort: the app may not have written it yet.
+		log.Warnf("failed to add %s to debug bundle: %v", swiftLogFile, err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}

client/internal/debug/debug_nonandroid.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build !android
+//go:build !android && !ios
 
 package debug
 

client/internal/debug/debug_test.go

@@ -843,6 +843,7 @@ func TestAddConfig_AllFieldsCovered(t *testing.T) {
 		"PreSharedKey":      "sensitive: WireGuard pre-shared key",
 		"SSHKey":            "sensitive: SSH private key",
 		"ClientCertKeyPair": "non-config: parsed cert pair, not serialized",
+		"Name":              "non-config: profile name is not needed for debug purposes",
 		"policy":            "non-config: in-memory MDM policy snapshot, surfaced via Config.Policy() / GetConfigResponse.MDMManagedFields",
 	}
 

client/internal/dns/mgmt/mgmt.go

@@ -51,13 +51,20 @@ type cachedRecord struct {
 }
 
 // Resolver caches critical NetBird infrastructure domains.
-// records, refreshing, mgmtDomain and serverDomains are all guarded by mutex.
+// records, refreshing, failedResolves, mgmtDomain and serverDomains are all
+// guarded by mutex.
 type Resolver struct {
 	records       map[dns.Question]*cachedRecord
 	mgmtDomain    *domain.Domain
 	serverDomains *dnsconfig.ServerDomains
 	mutex         sync.RWMutex
 
+	// failedResolves records the last failed initial resolve per domain so a
+	// domain that never resolves isn't retried on every server-domains update
+	// until refreshBackoff elapses. Entries are cleared on success and pruned
+	// to the current server-domains set.
+	failedResolves map[domain.Domain]time.Time
+
 	chain            ChainResolver
 	chainMaxPriority int
 	refreshGroup     singleflight.Group
@@ -76,9 +83,10 @@ type Resolver struct {
 // NewResolver creates a new management domains cache resolver.
 func NewResolver() *Resolver {
 	return &Resolver{
-		records:    make(map[dns.Question]*cachedRecord),
-		refreshing: make(map[dns.Question]*atomic.Bool),
-		cacheTTL:   resolveCacheTTL(),
+		records:        make(map[dns.Question]*cachedRecord),
+		refreshing:     make(map[dns.Question]*atomic.Bool),
+		failedResolves: make(map[domain.Domain]time.Time),
+		cacheTTL:       resolveCacheTTL(),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -173,7 +181,9 @@ func (m *Resolver) continueToNext(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 
 // AddDomain resolves a domain and stores its A/AAAA records in the cache.
 // A family that resolves NODATA (nil err, zero records) evicts any stale
-// entry for that qtype.
+// entry for that qtype. When one family hard-errors while the other succeeds,
+// the resolved family is still cached but AddDomain returns an error so the
+// caller retries the incomplete resolve rather than treating it as complete.
 func (m *Resolver) AddDomain(ctx context.Context, d domain.Domain) error {
 	dnsName := strings.ToLower(dns.Fqdn(d.PunycodeString()))
 
@@ -203,6 +213,10 @@ func (m *Resolver) AddDomain(ctx context.Context, d domain.Domain) error {
 	log.Debugf("added/updated domain=%s with %d A records and %d AAAA records",
 		d.SafeString(), len(aRecords), len(aaaaRecords))
 
+	if errA != nil || errAAAA != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("resolve %s: incomplete, a family failed: %w", d.SafeString(), errors.Join(errA, errAAAA))
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -462,6 +476,7 @@ func (m *Resolver) RemoveDomain(d domain.Domain) error {
 	delete(m.records, qAAAA)
 	delete(m.refreshing, qA)
 	delete(m.refreshing, qAAAA)
+	delete(m.failedResolves, d)
 
 	log.Debugf("removed domain=%s from cache", d.SafeString())
 	return nil
@@ -505,6 +520,7 @@ func (m *Resolver) UpdateFromServerDomains(ctx context.Context, serverDomains dn
 		allDomains := m.extractDomainsFromServerDomains(updatedServerDomains)
 		currentDomains := m.GetCachedDomains()
 		removedDomains = m.removeStaleDomains(currentDomains, allDomains)
+		m.pruneFailedResolves(allDomains)
 	}
 
 	m.addNewDomains(ctx, newDomains)
@@ -577,13 +593,85 @@ func (m *Resolver) isManagementDomain(domain domain.Domain) bool {
 	return m.mgmtDomain != nil && domain == *m.mgmtDomain
 }
 
-// addNewDomains resolves and caches all domains from the update
+// addNewDomains resolves and caches domains that are not yet in the cache,
+// running the lookups concurrently. Domains already cached are skipped and left
+// to the stale-while-revalidate refresh path, so a sync never re-resolves them
+// synchronously: once NetBird owns the OS resolver the resolve runs through the
+// handler chain and would otherwise dial the managed upstreams under the engine
+// sync lock on every update.
 func (m *Resolver) addNewDomains(ctx context.Context, newDomains domain.List) {
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	seen := make(map[domain.Domain]struct{}, len(newDomains))
 	for _, newDomain := range newDomains {
-		if err := m.AddDomain(ctx, newDomain); err != nil {
-			log.Warnf("failed to add/update domain=%s: %v", newDomain.SafeString(), err)
-		} else {
-			log.Debugf("added/updated management cache domain=%s", newDomain.SafeString())
+		if _, dup := seen[newDomain]; dup {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[newDomain] = struct{}{}
+
+		if !m.needsResolve(newDomain) {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(d domain.Domain) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			if err := m.AddDomain(ctx, d); err != nil {
+				m.markResolveFailed(d)
+				log.Warnf("failed to add/update domain=%s: %v", d.SafeString(), err)
+				return
+			}
+			m.clearResolveFailed(d)
+			log.Debugf("added/updated management cache domain=%s", d.SafeString())
+		}(newDomain)
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+}
+
+// needsResolve reports whether d should be resolved now. A recent failed or
+// incomplete resolve gates retries on the backoff even when one family is
+// already cached, so a transiently-failed family is retried instead of being
+// treated as fully resolved. Otherwise a domain with any cached record is left
+// to the stale-while-revalidate refresh path.
+func (m *Resolver) needsResolve(d domain.Domain) bool {
+	dnsName := strings.ToLower(dns.Fqdn(d.PunycodeString()))
+
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	defer m.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	if failedAt, ok := m.failedResolves[d]; ok {
+		return time.Since(failedAt) >= refreshBackoff
+	}
+
+	for _, qtype := range []uint16{dns.TypeA, dns.TypeAAAA} {
+		q := dns.Question{Name: dnsName, Qtype: qtype, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}
+		if _, ok := m.records[q]; ok {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+func (m *Resolver) markResolveFailed(d domain.Domain) {
+	m.mutex.Lock()
+	m.failedResolves[d] = time.Now()
+	m.mutex.Unlock()
+}
+
+func (m *Resolver) clearResolveFailed(d domain.Domain) {
+	m.mutex.Lock()
+	delete(m.failedResolves, d)
+	m.mutex.Unlock()
+}
+
+// pruneFailedResolves drops failure markers for domains no longer present in
+// the server-domains set, keeping the map bounded to the current set (a
+// failed-only domain has no cached record, so RemoveDomain never sees it).
+func (m *Resolver) pruneFailedResolves(domains domain.List) {
+	m.mutex.Lock()
+	defer m.mutex.Unlock()
+	for d := range m.failedResolves {
+		if !slices.Contains(domains, d) {
+			delete(m.failedResolves, d)
 		}
 	}
 }

client/internal/dns/mgmt/mgmt_refresh_test.go

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ type fakeChain struct {
 	mu       sync.Mutex
 	calls    map[string]int
 	answers  map[string][]dns.RR
+	qErr     map[string]error
 	err      error
 	hasRoot  bool
 	onLookup func()
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ func newFakeChain() *fakeChain {
 	return &fakeChain{
 		calls:   map[string]int{},
 		answers: map[string][]dns.RR{},
+		qErr:    map[string]error{},
 		hasRoot: true,
 	}
 }
@@ -47,6 +49,9 @@ func (f *fakeChain) ResolveInternal(ctx context.Context, msg *dns.Msg, maxPriori
 	f.calls[key]++
 	answers := f.answers[key]
 	err := f.err
+	if err == nil {
+		err = f.qErr[key]
+	}
 	onLookup := f.onLookup
 	f.mu.Unlock()
 
@@ -75,6 +80,12 @@ func (f *fakeChain) setAnswer(name string, qtype uint16, ip string) {
 	}
 }
 
+func (f *fakeChain) setErr(name string, qtype uint16, err error) {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+	f.qErr[name+"|"+dns.TypeToString[qtype]] = err
+}
+
 func (f *fakeChain) callCount(name string, qtype uint16) int {
 	f.mu.Lock()
 	defer f.mu.Unlock()

client/internal/dns/mgmt/mgmt_resolve_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,183 @@
+package mgmt
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/miekg/dns"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	dnsconfig "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/config"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
+)
+
+// A domain already in the cache must not be re-resolved on a subsequent server
+// domains update; it is left to the stale-while-revalidate refresh path.
+func TestResolver_UpdateFromServerDomains_SkipsCached(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+	chain.setAnswer("signal.example.com.", dns.TypeA, "10.0.0.2")
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	sd := dnsconfig.ServerDomains{Signal: domain.Domain("signal.example.com")}
+
+	_, err := r.UpdateFromServerDomains(context.Background(), sd)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Equal(t, 1, chain.callCount("signal.example.com.", dns.TypeA),
+		"first update must resolve the domain")
+
+	_, err = r.UpdateFromServerDomains(context.Background(), sd)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, chain.callCount("signal.example.com.", dns.TypeA),
+		"cached domain must not be re-resolved on a subsequent update")
+}
+
+// New domains in a single update must resolve concurrently rather than serially.
+func TestResolver_AddNewDomains_ResolvesConcurrently(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+
+	var inflight, maxInflight atomic.Int32
+	chain.onLookup = func() {
+		n := inflight.Add(1)
+		for {
+			old := maxInflight.Load()
+			if n <= old || maxInflight.CompareAndSwap(old, n) {
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+		inflight.Add(-1)
+	}
+
+	relays := []domain.Domain{"a.example.com", "b.example.com", "c.example.com", "d.example.com"}
+	for _, d := range relays {
+		chain.setAnswer(dns.Fqdn(string(d)), dns.TypeA, "10.0.0.2")
+	}
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	start := time.Now()
+	_, err := r.UpdateFromServerDomains(context.Background(), dnsconfig.ServerDomains{Relay: relays})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	elapsed := time.Since(start)
+
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, int(maxInflight.Load()), 2, "domains must resolve concurrently")
+	// Serial resolution of 4 domains would take at least 4*50ms; concurrent is far less.
+	assert.Less(t, elapsed, 300*time.Millisecond, "resolution should not be serial")
+}
+
+// A domain that fails to resolve must not be retried on every update; the
+// failure backoff suppresses re-resolution until it expires.
+func TestResolver_UpdateFromServerDomains_BacksOffFailures(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+	chain.err = errors.New("resolve boom")
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	sd := dnsconfig.ServerDomains{Signal: domain.Domain("signal.example.com")}
+
+	_, err := r.UpdateFromServerDomains(context.Background(), sd)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Equal(t, 1, chain.callCount("signal.example.com.", dns.TypeA),
+		"first update must attempt the resolve")
+
+	_, err = r.UpdateFromServerDomains(context.Background(), sd)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, chain.callCount("signal.example.com.", dns.TypeA),
+		"failed resolve must back off and not retry on the next update")
+}
+
+// A domain listed under more than one server-domain type (e.g. STUN and TURN on
+// the same host) must be resolved once per update, not once per occurrence.
+func TestResolver_AddNewDomains_DedupesDuplicateDomains(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+	chain.setAnswer("dup.example.com.", dns.TypeA, "10.0.0.9")
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	sd := dnsconfig.ServerDomains{
+		Stuns: []domain.Domain{"dup.example.com"},
+		Turns: []domain.Domain{"dup.example.com"},
+	}
+
+	_, err := r.UpdateFromServerDomains(context.Background(), sd)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, chain.callCount("dup.example.com.", dns.TypeA),
+		"a domain appearing under multiple server-domain types must resolve once")
+}
+
+// A failure marker must be dropped once its domain leaves the server-domains set
+// so the map stays bounded to the current set.
+func TestResolver_UpdateFromServerDomains_PrunesFailedResolves(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+	chain.err = errors.New("resolve boom")
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	_, err := r.UpdateFromServerDomains(context.Background(), dnsconfig.ServerDomains{Signal: domain.Domain("gone.example.com")})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	r.mutex.RLock()
+	_, marked := r.failedResolves[domain.Domain("gone.example.com")]
+	r.mutex.RUnlock()
+	require.True(t, marked, "failed resolve must be recorded")
+
+	_, err = r.UpdateFromServerDomains(context.Background(), dnsconfig.ServerDomains{Signal: domain.Domain("other.example.com")})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	r.mutex.RLock()
+	_, stillMarked := r.failedResolves[domain.Domain("gone.example.com")]
+	r.mutex.RUnlock()
+	assert.False(t, stillMarked, "failure marker for a domain no longer in the set must be pruned")
+}
+
+// When one family hard-errors while the other resolves, the domain is cached
+// for the working family but recorded as incomplete so the failed family is
+// retried under backoff instead of being treated as fully resolved forever.
+func TestResolver_AddNewDomains_RetriesPartialFamilyFailure(t *testing.T) {
+	d := domain.Domain("relay.example.com")
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+	chain.setAnswer("relay.example.com.", dns.TypeA, "10.0.0.2")
+	chain.setErr("relay.example.com.", dns.TypeAAAA, errors.New("servfail"))
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	_, err := r.UpdateFromServerDomains(context.Background(), dnsconfig.ServerDomains{Relay: []domain.Domain{d}})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	r.mutex.RLock()
+	_, aCached := r.records[dns.Question{Name: "relay.example.com.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}]
+	_, marked := r.failedResolves[d]
+	r.mutex.RUnlock()
+	require.True(t, aCached, "the working family must still be cached")
+	require.True(t, marked, "a partial failure must be recorded so the failed family is retried")
+
+	assert.False(t, r.needsResolve(d), "within the backoff window the domain is not retried")
+
+	r.mutex.Lock()
+	r.failedResolves[d] = time.Now().Add(-2 * refreshBackoff)
+	r.mutex.Unlock()
+	assert.True(t, r.needsResolve(d), "after the backoff elapses the domain is retried to pick up the missing family")
+}
+
+// A family that returns NODATA (legitimately absent, e.g. an IPv4-only host) is
+// not a failure: the domain must not be marked for retry, otherwise it would be
+// re-resolved on every sync.
+func TestResolver_AddNewDomains_NodataIsNotFailure(t *testing.T) {
+	d := domain.Domain("v4only.example.com")
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+	chain.setAnswer("v4only.example.com.", dns.TypeA, "10.0.0.2")
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	_, err := r.UpdateFromServerDomains(context.Background(), dnsconfig.ServerDomains{Relay: []domain.Domain{d}})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	r.mutex.RLock()
+	_, marked := r.failedResolves[d]
+	r.mutex.RUnlock()
+	assert.False(t, marked, "a NODATA family must not be recorded as a failure")
+	assert.False(t, r.needsResolve(d), "an IPv4-only host must not be re-resolved on later syncs")
+}

client/internal/dns/resutil/resolve.go

@@ -207,3 +207,35 @@ func FormatAnswers(answers []dns.RR) string {
 	}
 	return "[" + strings.Join(parts, ", ") + "]"
 }
+
+// StripOPT removes any OPT pseudo-RRs from the message's Extra section. Per
+// RFC 6891 a responder must not include an OPT RR toward a client that did not
+// advertise EDNS0.
+func StripOPT(msg *dns.Msg) {
+	if len(msg.Extra) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	out := msg.Extra[:0]
+	for _, rr := range msg.Extra {
+		if _, ok := rr.(*dns.OPT); ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, rr)
+	}
+	msg.Extra = out
+}
+
+// ExtractEDE returns the first Extended DNS Error (RFC 8914) option carried in
+// the message, if present.
+func ExtractEDE(msg *dns.Msg) (*dns.EDNS0_EDE, bool) {
+	opt := msg.IsEdns0()
+	if opt == nil {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+	for _, o := range opt.Option {
+		if ede, ok := o.(*dns.EDNS0_EDE); ok {
+			return ede, true
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, false
+}

client/internal/dns/resutil/resolve_test.go

@@ -120,3 +120,42 @@ func TestLookupIP_DNSErrorNotIsNotFound(t *testing.T) {
 
 	assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeServerFailure, result.Rcode, "upstream failure should map to SERVFAIL")
 }
+
+func TestStripOPT(t *testing.T) {
+	rm := &dns.Msg{
+		Extra: []dns.RR{
+			&dns.OPT{Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: ".", Rrtype: dns.TypeOPT}},
+			&dns.A{Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: "x.", Rrtype: dns.TypeA}, A: net.IPv4(1, 2, 3, 4)},
+		},
+	}
+	StripOPT(rm)
+	assert.Len(t, rm.Extra, 1, "OPT should be removed, A kept")
+	_, isOPT := rm.Extra[0].(*dns.OPT)
+	assert.False(t, isOPT, "remaining record must not be OPT")
+}
+
+func TestExtractEDE(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("no edns", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, ok := ExtractEDE(&dns.Msg{})
+		assert.False(t, ok, "message without OPT has no EDE")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("edns without ede", func(t *testing.T) {
+		rm := &dns.Msg{}
+		rm.SetEdns0(4096, false)
+		_, ok := ExtractEDE(rm)
+		assert.False(t, ok, "OPT without EDE option returns false")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("with ede", func(t *testing.T) {
+		rm := &dns.Msg{}
+		opt := &dns.OPT{Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: ".", Rrtype: dns.TypeOPT}}
+		opt.Option = append(opt.Option, &dns.EDNS0_EDE{InfoCode: 49152, ExtraText: "upstream timeout"})
+		rm.Extra = append(rm.Extra, opt)
+
+		ede, ok := ExtractEDE(rm)
+		assert.True(t, ok, "EDE option should be found")
+		assert.Equal(t, uint16(49152), ede.InfoCode)
+		assert.Equal(t, "upstream timeout", ede.ExtraText)
+	})
+}

client/internal/dns/server.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"net/netip"
 	"net/url"
+	"os"
 	"slices"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -38,11 +39,15 @@ const (
 	// defaultWarningDelayBase is the starting grace window before a
 	// "Nameserver group unreachable" event fires for a group that's
 	// never been healthy and only has overlay upstreams with no
-	// Connected peer. Per-server and overridable; see warningDelayFor.
-	defaultWarningDelayBase = 30 * time.Second
+	// Connected peer. Per-server and overridable via envWarningDelay;
+	// see warningDelay.
+	defaultWarningDelayBase = 60 * time.Second
 	// warningDelayBonusCap caps the route-count bonus added to the
-	// base grace window. See warningDelayFor.
+	// base grace window. See warningDelay.
 	warningDelayBonusCap = 30 * time.Second
+	// envWarningDelay overrides defaultWarningDelayBase with a Go duration
+	// string (e.g. "90s", "2m"). Invalid or non-positive values are ignored.
+	envWarningDelay = "NB_DNS_HEALTH_WARNING_DELAY"
 )
 
 // errNoUsableNameservers signals that a merged-domain group has no usable
@@ -135,7 +140,7 @@ type DefaultServer struct {
 	disableSys         bool
 	mux                sync.Mutex
 	service            service
-	dnsMuxMap          registeredHandlerMap
+	dnsMuxHandlers     []handlerWrapper
 	localResolver      *local.Resolver
 	wgInterface        WGIface
 	hostManager        hostManager
@@ -199,8 +204,6 @@ type handlerWrapper struct {
 	priority int
 }
 
-type registeredHandlerMap map[types.HandlerID]handlerWrapper
-
 // DefaultServerConfig holds configuration parameters for NewDefaultServer
 type DefaultServerConfig struct {
 	WgInterface    WGIface
@@ -289,7 +292,6 @@ func newDefaultServer(
 		service:           dnsService,
 		handlerChain:      handlerChain,
 		extraDomains:      make(map[domain.Domain]int),
-		dnsMuxMap:         make(registeredHandlerMap),
 		localResolver:     local.NewResolver(),
 		wgInterface:       wgInterface,
 		statusRecorder:    statusRecorder,
@@ -298,7 +300,7 @@ func newDefaultServer(
 		hostManager:       &noopHostConfigurator{},
 		mgmtCacheResolver: mgmtCacheResolver,
 		currentConfigHash: ^uint64(0), // Initialize to max uint64 to ensure first config is always applied
-		warningDelayBase:  defaultWarningDelayBase,
+		warningDelayBase:  warningDelayBaseFromEnv(),
 		healthRefresh:     make(chan struct{}, 1),
 	}
 	// Wire the local resolver against the peer status recorder so it can
@@ -328,7 +330,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) SetRouteSources(selected, active func() route.HAMap) {
 	type routeSettable interface {
 		setSelectedRoutes(func() route.HAMap)
 	}
-	for _, entry := range s.dnsMuxMap {
+	for _, entry := range s.dnsMuxHandlers {
 		if h, ok := entry.handler.(routeSettable); ok {
 			h.setSelectedRoutes(selected)
 		}
@@ -978,19 +980,23 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) usableNameServers(nameServers []nbdns.NameServer) []neti
 
 func (s *DefaultServer) updateMux(muxUpdates []handlerWrapper) {
 	// this will introduce a short period of time when the server is not able to handle DNS requests
-	for _, existing := range s.dnsMuxMap {
+	for _, existing := range s.dnsMuxHandlers {
 		s.deregisterHandler([]string{existing.domain}, existing.priority)
-		existing.handler.Stop()
+		// The local resolver is a persistent singleton shared by every custom
+		// zone and reused across config updates. Its chain registrations are
+		// per-config and must be deregistered, but Stop() cancels its lookup
+		// context (breaking external CNAME-target resolution) and clears its
+		// records, so it must not be torn down here.
+		if existing.handler != s.localResolver {
+			existing.handler.Stop()
+		}
 	}
 
-	muxUpdateMap := make(registeredHandlerMap)
-
 	for _, update := range muxUpdates {
 		s.registerHandler([]string{update.domain}, update.handler, update.priority)
-		muxUpdateMap[update.handler.ID()] = update
 	}
 
-	s.dnsMuxMap = muxUpdateMap
+	s.dnsMuxHandlers = muxUpdates
 }
 
 // updateNSGroupStates records the new group set and pokes the refresher.
@@ -1154,6 +1160,26 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) projectUnhealthy(p *nsGroupProj, servers []netip.AddrPor
 	return false
 }
 
+// warningDelayBaseFromEnv returns the base grace window, honoring
+// envWarningDelay when it holds a valid positive Go duration. Invalid or
+// non-positive values fall back to defaultWarningDelayBase.
+func warningDelayBaseFromEnv() time.Duration {
+	val := os.Getenv(envWarningDelay)
+	if val == "" {
+		return defaultWarningDelayBase
+	}
+	d, err := time.ParseDuration(val)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("invalid %s value %q, using default %v: %v", envWarningDelay, val, defaultWarningDelayBase, err)
+		return defaultWarningDelayBase
+	}
+	if d <= 0 {
+		log.Warnf("%s must be positive, got %v, using default %v", envWarningDelay, d, defaultWarningDelayBase)
+		return defaultWarningDelayBase
+	}
+	return d
+}
+
 // warningDelay returns the grace window for the given selected-route
 // count. Scales gently: +1s per 100 routes, capped by
 // warningDelayBonusCap. Parallel handshakes mean handshake time grows
@@ -1204,7 +1230,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) groupHasImmediateUpstream(servers []netip.AddrPort, snap
 // in more than one handler.
 func (s *DefaultServer) collectUpstreamHealth() map[netip.AddrPort]UpstreamHealth {
 	merged := make(map[netip.AddrPort]UpstreamHealth)
-	for _, entry := range s.dnsMuxMap {
+	for _, entry := range s.dnsMuxHandlers {
 		reporter, ok := entry.handler.(upstreamHealthReporter)
 		if !ok {
 			continue

client/internal/dns/server_privileged_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,485 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
+package dns
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/netip"
+	"os"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
+	"github.com/miekg/dns"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/wgctrl/wgtypes"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
+	pfmock "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/mocks"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/local"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/test"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/stdnet"
+	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/dns"
+)
+
+func TestUpdateDNSServer(t *testing.T) {
+
+	nameServers := []nbdns.NameServer{
+		{
+			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.8.8"),
+			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
+			Port:   53,
+		},
+		{
+			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.4.4"),
+			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
+			Port:   53,
+		},
+	}
+
+	testCases := []struct {
+		name                string
+		initUpstreamMap     []handlerWrapper
+		initLocalZones      []nbdns.CustomZone
+		initSerial          uint64
+		inputSerial         uint64
+		inputUpdate         nbdns.Config
+		shouldFail          bool
+		expectedUpstreamMap []handlerWrapper
+		expectedLocalQs     []dns.Question
+	}{
+		{
+			name:            "Initial Config Should Succeed",
+			initUpstreamMap: nil,
+			initSerial:      0,
+			inputSerial:     1,
+			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
+				ServiceEnable: true,
+				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
+					{
+						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
+						Records: zoneRecords,
+					},
+				},
+				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
+					{
+						Domains:     []string{"netbird.io"},
+						NameServers: nameServers,
+					},
+					{
+						NameServers: nameServers,
+						Primary:     true,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			expectedUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
+				{
+					domain:   "netbird.io",
+					priority: PriorityUpstream,
+				},
+				{
+					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
+					priority: PriorityLocal,
+				},
+				{
+					domain:   nbdns.RootZone,
+					priority: PriorityDefault,
+				},
+			},
+			expectedLocalQs: []dns.Question{{Name: "peera.netbird.cloud.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "New Config Should Succeed",
+			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: 1, Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
+			initUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
+				{
+					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
+					handler:  &mockHandler{},
+					priority: PriorityUpstream,
+				},
+			},
+			initSerial:  0,
+			inputSerial: 1,
+			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
+				ServiceEnable: true,
+				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
+					{
+						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
+						Records: zoneRecords,
+					},
+				},
+				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
+					{
+						Domains:     []string{"netbird.io"},
+						NameServers: nameServers,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			expectedUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
+				{
+					domain:   "netbird.io",
+					priority: PriorityUpstream,
+				},
+				{
+					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
+					priority: PriorityLocal,
+				},
+			},
+			expectedLocalQs: []dns.Question{{Name: zoneRecords[0].Name, Qtype: 1, Qclass: 1}},
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Smaller Config Serial Should Be Skipped",
+			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
+			initUpstreamMap: nil,
+			initSerial:      2,
+			inputSerial:     1,
+			shouldFail:      true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Empty NS Group Domain Or Not Primary Element Should Fail",
+			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
+			initUpstreamMap: nil,
+			initSerial:      0,
+			inputSerial:     1,
+			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
+				ServiceEnable: true,
+				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
+					{
+						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
+						Records: zoneRecords,
+					},
+				},
+				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
+					{
+						NameServers: nameServers,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			shouldFail: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Invalid NS Group Nameservers list Should Fail",
+			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
+			initUpstreamMap: nil,
+			initSerial:      0,
+			inputSerial:     1,
+			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
+				ServiceEnable: true,
+				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
+					{
+						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
+						Records: zoneRecords,
+					},
+				},
+				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
+					{
+						NameServers: nameServers,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			shouldFail: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Invalid Custom Zone Records list Should Skip",
+			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
+			initUpstreamMap: nil,
+			initSerial:      0,
+			inputSerial:     1,
+			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
+				ServiceEnable: true,
+				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
+					{
+						Domain: "netbird.cloud",
+					},
+				},
+				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
+					{
+						NameServers: nameServers,
+						Primary:     true,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			expectedUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{{
+				domain:   ".",
+				priority: PriorityDefault,
+			}},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Empty Config Should Succeed and Clean Maps",
+			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
+			initUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
+				{
+					domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
+					handler:  &mockHandler{},
+					priority: PriorityUpstream,
+				},
+			},
+			initSerial:          0,
+			inputSerial:         1,
+			inputUpdate:         nbdns.Config{ServiceEnable: true},
+			expectedUpstreamMap: nil,
+			expectedLocalQs:     []dns.Question{},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Disabled Service Should clean map",
+			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
+			initUpstreamMap: []handlerWrapper{
+				{
+					domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
+					handler:  &mockHandler{},
+					priority: PriorityUpstream,
+				},
+			},
+			initSerial:          0,
+			inputSerial:         1,
+			inputUpdate:         nbdns.Config{ServiceEnable: false},
+			expectedUpstreamMap: nil,
+			expectedLocalQs:     []dns.Question{},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for n, testCase := range testCases {
+		t.Run(testCase.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			privKey, _ := wgtypes.GenerateKey()
+			newNet, err := stdnet.NewNet(context.Background(), nil)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+
+			opts := iface.WGIFaceOpts{
+				IFaceName:    fmt.Sprintf("utun230%d", n),
+				Address:      wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress(fmt.Sprintf("100.66.100.%d/32", n+1)),
+				WGPort:       33100,
+				WGPrivKey:    privKey.String(),
+				MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
+				TransportNet: newNet,
+			}
+
+			wgIface, err := iface.NewWGIFace(opts)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			err = wgIface.Create()
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			defer func() {
+				err = wgIface.Close()
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Log(err)
+				}
+			}()
+			dnsServer, err := NewDefaultServer(context.Background(), DefaultServerConfig{
+				WgInterface:    wgIface,
+				CustomAddress:  "",
+				StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("mgm"),
+				StateManager:   nil,
+				DisableSys:     false,
+			})
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			err = dnsServer.Initialize()
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			defer func() {
+				err = dnsServer.hostManager.restoreHostDNS()
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Log(err)
+				}
+			}()
+
+			dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers = testCase.initUpstreamMap
+			dnsServer.localResolver.Update(testCase.initLocalZones)
+			dnsServer.updateSerial = testCase.initSerial
+
+			err = dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(testCase.inputSerial, testCase.inputUpdate)
+			if err != nil {
+				if testCase.shouldFail {
+					return
+				}
+				t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			if len(dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers) != len(testCase.expectedUpstreamMap) {
+				t.Fatalf("update upstream failed, map size is different than expected, want %d, got %d", len(testCase.expectedUpstreamMap), len(dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers))
+			}
+
+			for _, expected := range testCase.expectedUpstreamMap {
+				found := false
+				for _, got := range dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers {
+					if got.domain == expected.domain && got.priority == expected.priority {
+						found = true
+						break
+					}
+				}
+				if !found {
+					t.Fatalf("update upstream failed, handler for domain=%s priority=%d not found in dnsMuxHandlers: %#v", expected.domain, expected.priority, dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers)
+				}
+			}
+
+			var responseMSG *dns.Msg
+			responseWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{
+				WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error {
+					responseMSG = m
+					return nil
+				},
+			}
+			for _, q := range testCase.expectedLocalQs {
+				dnsServer.localResolver.ServeDNS(responseWriter, &dns.Msg{
+					Question: []dns.Question{q},
+				})
+			}
+
+			if len(testCase.expectedLocalQs) > 0 {
+				assert.NotNil(t, responseMSG, "response message should not be nil")
+				assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, responseMSG.Rcode, "response code should be success")
+				assert.NotEmpty(t, responseMSG.Answer, "response message should have answers")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDNSFakeResolverHandleUpdates(t *testing.T) {
+	ov := os.Getenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED")
+	defer t.Setenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED", ov)
+
+	t.Setenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED", "true")
+	newNet, err := stdnet.NewNet(context.Background(), []string{"utun2301"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("create stdnet: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	privKey, _ := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
+	opts := iface.WGIFaceOpts{
+		IFaceName:    "utun2301",
+		Address:      wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.66.100.1/32"),
+		WGPort:       33100,
+		WGPrivKey:    privKey.String(),
+		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
+		TransportNet: newNet,
+	}
+	wgIface, err := iface.NewWGIFace(opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("build interface wireguard: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	err = wgIface.Create()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("create and init wireguard interface: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err = wgIface.Close(); err != nil {
+			t.Logf("close wireguard interface: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
+	defer ctrl.Finish()
+
+	packetfilter := pfmock.NewMockPacketFilter(ctrl)
+	packetfilter.EXPECT().FilterOutbound(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
+	packetfilter.EXPECT().SetUDPPacketHook(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
+	packetfilter.EXPECT().SetTCPPacketHook(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
+
+	if err := wgIface.SetFilter(packetfilter); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("set packet filter: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	dnsServer, err := NewDefaultServer(context.Background(), DefaultServerConfig{
+		WgInterface:    wgIface,
+		CustomAddress:  "",
+		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("mgm"),
+		StateManager:   nil,
+		DisableSys:     false,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("create DNS server: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	err = dnsServer.Initialize()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("run DNS server: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err = dnsServer.hostManager.restoreHostDNS(); err != nil {
+			t.Logf("restore DNS settings on the host: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+	}()
+
+	dnsServer.dnsMuxHandlers = []handlerWrapper{
+		{
+			domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
+			handler:  &local.Resolver{},
+			priority: PriorityUpstream,
+		},
+	}
+	dnsServer.localResolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}})
+	dnsServer.updateSerial = 0
+
+	nameServers := []nbdns.NameServer{
+		{
+			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.8.8"),
+			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
+			Port:   53,
+		},
+		{
+			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.4.4"),
+			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
+			Port:   53,
+		},
+	}
+
+	update := nbdns.Config{
+		ServiceEnable: true,
+		CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
+			{
+				Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
+				Records: zoneRecords,
+			},
+		},
+		NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
+			{
+				Domains:     []string{"netbird.io"},
+				NameServers: nameServers,
+			},
+			{
+				NameServers: nameServers,
+				Primary:     true,
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	// Start the server with regular configuration
+	if err := dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(1, update); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	update2 := update
+	update2.ServiceEnable = false
+	// Disable the server, stop the listener
+	if err := dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(2, update2); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	update3 := update2
+	update3.NameServerGroups = update3.NameServerGroups[:1]
+	// But service still get updates and we checking that we handle
+	// internal state in the right way
+	if err := dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(3, update3); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+}

client/internal/dns/server_test.go

@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -23,7 +22,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/configurer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
-	pfmock "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/mocks"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/local"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/test"
@@ -104,481 +102,6 @@ func init() {
 	formatter.SetTextFormatter(log.StandardLogger())
 }
 
-func generateDummyHandler(d string, servers []nbdns.NameServer) *upstreamResolverBase {
-	var srvs []netip.AddrPort
-	for _, srv := range servers {
-		srvs = append(srvs, srv.AddrPort())
-	}
-	u := &upstreamResolverBase{
-		domain: domain.Domain(d),
-		cancel: func() {},
-	}
-	u.addRace(srvs)
-	return u
-}
-
-func TestUpdateDNSServer(t *testing.T) {
-
-	nameServers := []nbdns.NameServer{
-		{
-			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.8.8"),
-			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
-			Port:   53,
-		},
-		{
-			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.4.4"),
-			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
-			Port:   53,
-		},
-	}
-
-	dummyHandler := local.NewResolver()
-
-	testCases := []struct {
-		name                string
-		initUpstreamMap     registeredHandlerMap
-		initLocalZones      []nbdns.CustomZone
-		initSerial          uint64
-		inputSerial         uint64
-		inputUpdate         nbdns.Config
-		shouldFail          bool
-		expectedUpstreamMap registeredHandlerMap
-		expectedLocalQs     []dns.Question
-	}{
-		{
-			name:            "Initial Config Should Succeed",
-			initUpstreamMap: make(registeredHandlerMap),
-			initSerial:      0,
-			inputSerial:     1,
-			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
-				ServiceEnable: true,
-				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
-					{
-						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
-						Records: zoneRecords,
-					},
-				},
-				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
-					{
-						Domains:     []string{"netbird.io"},
-						NameServers: nameServers,
-					},
-					{
-						NameServers: nameServers,
-						Primary:     true,
-					},
-				},
-			},
-			expectedUpstreamMap: registeredHandlerMap{
-				generateDummyHandler("netbird.io", nameServers).ID(): handlerWrapper{
-					domain:   "netbird.io",
-					handler:  dummyHandler,
-					priority: PriorityUpstream,
-				},
-				dummyHandler.ID(): handlerWrapper{
-					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
-					handler:  dummyHandler,
-					priority: PriorityLocal,
-				},
-				generateDummyHandler(".", nameServers).ID(): handlerWrapper{
-					domain:   nbdns.RootZone,
-					handler:  dummyHandler,
-					priority: PriorityDefault,
-				},
-			},
-			expectedLocalQs: []dns.Question{{Name: "peera.netbird.cloud.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}},
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "New Config Should Succeed",
-			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: 1, Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
-			initUpstreamMap: registeredHandlerMap{
-				generateDummyHandler(zoneRecords[0].Name, nameServers).ID(): handlerWrapper{
-					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
-					handler:  dummyHandler,
-					priority: PriorityUpstream,
-				},
-			},
-			initSerial:  0,
-			inputSerial: 1,
-			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
-				ServiceEnable: true,
-				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
-					{
-						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
-						Records: zoneRecords,
-					},
-				},
-				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
-					{
-						Domains:     []string{"netbird.io"},
-						NameServers: nameServers,
-					},
-				},
-			},
-			expectedUpstreamMap: registeredHandlerMap{
-				generateDummyHandler("netbird.io", nameServers).ID(): handlerWrapper{
-					domain:   "netbird.io",
-					handler:  dummyHandler,
-					priority: PriorityUpstream,
-				},
-				"local-resolver": handlerWrapper{
-					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
-					handler:  dummyHandler,
-					priority: PriorityLocal,
-				},
-			},
-			expectedLocalQs: []dns.Question{{Name: zoneRecords[0].Name, Qtype: 1, Qclass: 1}},
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Smaller Config Serial Should Be Skipped",
-			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
-			initUpstreamMap: make(registeredHandlerMap),
-			initSerial:      2,
-			inputSerial:     1,
-			shouldFail:      true,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Empty NS Group Domain Or Not Primary Element Should Fail",
-			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
-			initUpstreamMap: make(registeredHandlerMap),
-			initSerial:      0,
-			inputSerial:     1,
-			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
-				ServiceEnable: true,
-				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
-					{
-						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
-						Records: zoneRecords,
-					},
-				},
-				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
-					{
-						NameServers: nameServers,
-					},
-				},
-			},
-			shouldFail: true,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Invalid NS Group Nameservers list Should Fail",
-			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
-			initUpstreamMap: make(registeredHandlerMap),
-			initSerial:      0,
-			inputSerial:     1,
-			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
-				ServiceEnable: true,
-				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
-					{
-						Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
-						Records: zoneRecords,
-					},
-				},
-				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
-					{
-						NameServers: nameServers,
-					},
-				},
-			},
-			shouldFail: true,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Invalid Custom Zone Records list Should Skip",
-			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
-			initUpstreamMap: make(registeredHandlerMap),
-			initSerial:      0,
-			inputSerial:     1,
-			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
-				ServiceEnable: true,
-				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
-					{
-						Domain: "netbird.cloud",
-					},
-				},
-				NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
-					{
-						NameServers: nameServers,
-						Primary:     true,
-					},
-				},
-			},
-			expectedUpstreamMap: registeredHandlerMap{generateDummyHandler(".", nameServers).ID(): handlerWrapper{
-				domain:   ".",
-				handler:  dummyHandler,
-				priority: PriorityDefault,
-			}},
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Empty Config Should Succeed and Clean Maps",
-			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
-			initUpstreamMap: registeredHandlerMap{
-				generateDummyHandler(zoneRecords[0].Name, nameServers).ID(): handlerWrapper{
-					domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
-					handler:  dummyHandler,
-					priority: PriorityUpstream,
-				},
-			},
-			initSerial:          0,
-			inputSerial:         1,
-			inputUpdate:         nbdns.Config{ServiceEnable: true},
-			expectedUpstreamMap: make(registeredHandlerMap),
-			expectedLocalQs:     []dns.Question{},
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Disabled Service Should clean map",
-			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
-			initUpstreamMap: registeredHandlerMap{
-				generateDummyHandler(zoneRecords[0].Name, nameServers).ID(): handlerWrapper{
-					domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
-					handler:  dummyHandler,
-					priority: PriorityUpstream,
-				},
-			},
-			initSerial:          0,
-			inputSerial:         1,
-			inputUpdate:         nbdns.Config{ServiceEnable: false},
-			expectedUpstreamMap: make(registeredHandlerMap),
-			expectedLocalQs:     []dns.Question{},
-		},
-	}
-
-	for n, testCase := range testCases {
-		t.Run(testCase.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			privKey, _ := wgtypes.GenerateKey()
-			newNet, err := stdnet.NewNet(context.Background(), nil)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-
-			opts := iface.WGIFaceOpts{
-				IFaceName:    fmt.Sprintf("utun230%d", n),
-				Address:      wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress(fmt.Sprintf("100.66.100.%d/32", n+1)),
-				WGPort:       33100,
-				WGPrivKey:    privKey.String(),
-				MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-				TransportNet: newNet,
-			}
-
-			wgIface, err := iface.NewWGIFace(opts)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			err = wgIface.Create()
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			defer func() {
-				err = wgIface.Close()
-				if err != nil {
-					t.Log(err)
-				}
-			}()
-			dnsServer, err := NewDefaultServer(context.Background(), DefaultServerConfig{
-				WgInterface:    wgIface,
-				CustomAddress:  "",
-				StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("mgm"),
-				StateManager:   nil,
-				DisableSys:     false,
-			})
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			err = dnsServer.Initialize()
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			defer func() {
-				err = dnsServer.hostManager.restoreHostDNS()
-				if err != nil {
-					t.Log(err)
-				}
-			}()
-
-			dnsServer.dnsMuxMap = testCase.initUpstreamMap
-			dnsServer.localResolver.Update(testCase.initLocalZones)
-			dnsServer.updateSerial = testCase.initSerial
-
-			err = dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(testCase.inputSerial, testCase.inputUpdate)
-			if err != nil {
-				if testCase.shouldFail {
-					return
-				}
-				t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
-			}
-
-			if len(dnsServer.dnsMuxMap) != len(testCase.expectedUpstreamMap) {
-				t.Fatalf("update upstream failed, map size is different than expected, want %d, got %d", len(testCase.expectedUpstreamMap), len(dnsServer.dnsMuxMap))
-			}
-
-			for key := range testCase.expectedUpstreamMap {
-				_, found := dnsServer.dnsMuxMap[key]
-				if !found {
-					t.Fatalf("update upstream failed, key %s was not found in the dnsMuxMap: %#v", key, dnsServer.dnsMuxMap)
-				}
-			}
-
-			var responseMSG *dns.Msg
-			responseWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{
-				WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error {
-					responseMSG = m
-					return nil
-				},
-			}
-			for _, q := range testCase.expectedLocalQs {
-				dnsServer.localResolver.ServeDNS(responseWriter, &dns.Msg{
-					Question: []dns.Question{q},
-				})
-			}
-
-			if len(testCase.expectedLocalQs) > 0 {
-				assert.NotNil(t, responseMSG, "response message should not be nil")
-				assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, responseMSG.Rcode, "response code should be success")
-				assert.NotEmpty(t, responseMSG.Answer, "response message should have answers")
-			}
-		})
-	}
-}
-
-func TestDNSFakeResolverHandleUpdates(t *testing.T) {
-	ov := os.Getenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED")
-	defer t.Setenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED", ov)
-
-	t.Setenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED", "true")
-	newNet, err := stdnet.NewNet(context.Background(), []string{"utun2301"})
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("create stdnet: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	privKey, _ := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
-	opts := iface.WGIFaceOpts{
-		IFaceName:    "utun2301",
-		Address:      wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.66.100.1/32"),
-		WGPort:       33100,
-		WGPrivKey:    privKey.String(),
-		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-		TransportNet: newNet,
-	}
-	wgIface, err := iface.NewWGIFace(opts)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("build interface wireguard: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	err = wgIface.Create()
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("create and init wireguard interface: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		if err = wgIface.Close(); err != nil {
-			t.Logf("close wireguard interface: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
-	defer ctrl.Finish()
-
-	packetfilter := pfmock.NewMockPacketFilter(ctrl)
-	packetfilter.EXPECT().FilterOutbound(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
-	packetfilter.EXPECT().SetUDPPacketHook(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
-	packetfilter.EXPECT().SetTCPPacketHook(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
-
-	if err := wgIface.SetFilter(packetfilter); err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("set packet filter: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	dnsServer, err := NewDefaultServer(context.Background(), DefaultServerConfig{
-		WgInterface:    wgIface,
-		CustomAddress:  "",
-		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("mgm"),
-		StateManager:   nil,
-		DisableSys:     false,
-	})
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("create DNS server: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	err = dnsServer.Initialize()
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("run DNS server: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		if err = dnsServer.hostManager.restoreHostDNS(); err != nil {
-			t.Logf("restore DNS settings on the host: %v", err)
-			return
-		}
-	}()
-
-	dnsServer.dnsMuxMap = registeredHandlerMap{
-		"id1": handlerWrapper{
-			domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
-			handler:  &local.Resolver{},
-			priority: PriorityUpstream,
-		},
-	}
-	dnsServer.localResolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}})
-	dnsServer.updateSerial = 0
-
-	nameServers := []nbdns.NameServer{
-		{
-			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.8.8"),
-			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
-			Port:   53,
-		},
-		{
-			IP:     netip.MustParseAddr("8.8.4.4"),
-			NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType,
-			Port:   53,
-		},
-	}
-
-	update := nbdns.Config{
-		ServiceEnable: true,
-		CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
-			{
-				Domain:  "netbird.cloud",
-				Records: zoneRecords,
-			},
-		},
-		NameServerGroups: []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
-			{
-				Domains:     []string{"netbird.io"},
-				NameServers: nameServers,
-			},
-			{
-				NameServers: nameServers,
-				Primary:     true,
-			},
-		},
-	}
-
-	// Start the server with regular configuration
-	if err := dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(1, update); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	update2 := update
-	update2.ServiceEnable = false
-	// Disable the server, stop the listener
-	if err := dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(2, update2); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	update3 := update2
-	update3.NameServerGroups = update3.NameServerGroups[:1]
-	// But service still get updates and we checking that we handle
-	// internal state in the right way
-	if err := dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(3, update3); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("update dns server should not fail, got error: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-}
-
 func TestDNSServerStartStop(t *testing.T) {
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name     string
@@ -1029,15 +552,15 @@ func (m *mockService) RegisterMux(string, dns.Handler) {}
 func (m *mockService) DeregisterMux(string)            {}
 
 func TestDefaultServer_UpdateMux(t *testing.T) {
-	baseMatchHandlers := registeredHandlerMap{
-		"upstream-group1": {
+	baseMatchHandlers := []handlerWrapper{
+		{
 			domain: "example.com",
 			handler: &mockHandler{
 				Id: "upstream-group1",
 			},
 			priority: PriorityUpstream,
 		},
-		"upstream-group2": {
+		{
 			domain: "example.com",
 			handler: &mockHandler{
 				Id: "upstream-group2",
@@ -1046,15 +569,15 @@ func TestDefaultServer_UpdateMux(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	baseRootHandlers := registeredHandlerMap{
-		"upstream-root1": {
+	baseRootHandlers := []handlerWrapper{
+		{
 			domain: ".",
 			handler: &mockHandler{
 				Id: "upstream-root1",
 			},
 			priority: PriorityDefault,
 		},
-		"upstream-root2": {
+		{
 			domain: ".",
 			handler: &mockHandler{
 				Id: "upstream-root2",
@@ -1063,22 +586,22 @@ func TestDefaultServer_UpdateMux(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	baseMixedHandlers := registeredHandlerMap{
-		"upstream-group1": {
+	baseMixedHandlers := []handlerWrapper{
+		{
 			domain: "example.com",
 			handler: &mockHandler{
 				Id: "upstream-group1",
 			},
 			priority: PriorityUpstream,
 		},
-		"upstream-group2": {
+		{
 			domain: "example.com",
 			handler: &mockHandler{
 				Id: "upstream-group2",
 			},
 			priority: PriorityUpstream - 1,
 		},
-		"upstream-other": {
+		{
 			domain: "other.com",
 			handler: &mockHandler{
 				Id: "upstream-other",
@@ -1089,7 +612,7 @@ func TestDefaultServer_UpdateMux(t *testing.T) {
 
 	tests := []struct {
 		name             string
-		initialHandlers  registeredHandlerMap
+		initialHandlers  []handlerWrapper
 		updates          []handlerWrapper
 		expectedHandlers map[string]string // map[HandlerID]domain
 		description      string
@@ -1373,32 +896,38 @@ func TestDefaultServer_UpdateMux(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			server := &DefaultServer{
-				dnsMuxMap:    tt.initialHandlers,
-				handlerChain: NewHandlerChain(),
-				service:      &mockService{},
+				dnsMuxHandlers: tt.initialHandlers,
+				handlerChain:   NewHandlerChain(),
+				service:        &mockService{},
 			}
 
 			// Perform the update
 			server.updateMux(tt.updates)
 
 			// Verify the results
-			assert.Equal(t, len(tt.expectedHandlers), len(server.dnsMuxMap),
+			assert.Equal(t, len(tt.expectedHandlers), len(server.dnsMuxHandlers),
 				"Number of handlers after update doesn't match expected")
 
 			// Check each expected handler
 			for id, expectedDomain := range tt.expectedHandlers {
-				handler, exists := server.dnsMuxMap[types.HandlerID(id)]
-				assert.True(t, exists, "Expected handler %s not found", id)
-				if exists {
-					assert.Equal(t, expectedDomain, handler.domain,
+				var found *handlerWrapper
+				for i := range server.dnsMuxHandlers {
+					if server.dnsMuxHandlers[i].handler.ID() == types.HandlerID(id) {
+						found = &server.dnsMuxHandlers[i]
+						break
+					}
+				}
+				assert.NotNil(t, found, "Expected handler %s not found", id)
+				if found != nil {
+					assert.Equal(t, expectedDomain, found.domain,
 						"Domain mismatch for handler %s", id)
 				}
 			}
 
 			// Verify no unexpected handlers exist
-			for HandlerID := range server.dnsMuxMap {
-				_, expected := tt.expectedHandlers[string(HandlerID)]
-				assert.True(t, expected, "Unexpected handler found: %s", HandlerID)
+			for _, entry := range server.dnsMuxHandlers {
+				_, expected := tt.expectedHandlers[string(entry.handler.ID())]
+				assert.True(t, expected, "Unexpected handler found: %s", entry.handler.ID())
 			}
 
 			// Verify the handlerChain state and order
@@ -1413,7 +942,7 @@ func TestDefaultServer_UpdateMux(t *testing.T) {
 
 				// Verify handler exists in mux
 				foundInMux := false
-				for _, muxEntry := range server.dnsMuxMap {
+				for _, muxEntry := range server.dnsMuxHandlers {
 					if chainEntry.Handler == muxEntry.handler &&
 						chainEntry.Priority == muxEntry.priority &&
 						chainEntry.Pattern == dns.Fqdn(muxEntry.domain) {
@@ -1422,12 +951,108 @@ func TestDefaultServer_UpdateMux(t *testing.T) {
 					}
 				}
 				assert.True(t, foundInMux,
-					"Handler in chain not found in dnsMuxMap")
+					"Handler in chain not found in dnsMuxHandlers")
 			}
 		})
 	}
 }
 
+// chainHasPattern reports whether the handler chain holds an entry registered
+// for the given fqdn pattern at the given priority.
+func chainHasPattern(s *DefaultServer, pattern string, priority int) bool {
+	for _, h := range s.handlerChain.handlers {
+		if h.OrigPattern == pattern && h.Priority == priority {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// TestDefaultServer_UpdateMux_SharedHandlerZoneRemoval verifies that updateMux
+// tracks each (handler, domain) registration independently when one handler
+// serves multiple zones. Every custom zone is served by the same handler
+// instance (the local resolver, whose ID is the constant "local-resolver"), so
+// removing one zone must deregister exactly that zone's chain entry and leave
+// the others in place. Tracking registrations by handler ID alone collapses all
+// zones onto one entry, leaving removed zones in the chain to answer
+// authoritatively with no records.
+func TestDefaultServer_UpdateMux_SharedHandlerZoneRemoval(t *testing.T) {
+	// One handler serves every custom zone, mirroring s.localResolver.
+	shared := &mockHandler{Id: "local-resolver"}
+
+	server := &DefaultServer{
+		handlerChain: NewHandlerChain(),
+		service:      &mockService{},
+	}
+
+	// Two custom zones under the same handler. The surviving zone is registered
+	// last, mirroring the management emission order.
+	server.updateMux([]handlerWrapper{
+		{domain: "userzone.test", handler: shared, priority: PriorityLocal},
+		{domain: "peerzone.test", handler: shared, priority: PriorityLocal},
+	})
+
+	require.True(t, chainHasPattern(server, "userzone.test.", PriorityLocal),
+		"userzone.test should be registered after the first update")
+	require.True(t, chainHasPattern(server, "peerzone.test.", PriorityLocal),
+		"peerzone.test should be registered after the first update")
+
+	// Remove one zone, keep the other.
+	server.updateMux([]handlerWrapper{
+		{domain: "peerzone.test", handler: shared, priority: PriorityLocal},
+	})
+
+	assert.True(t, chainHasPattern(server, "peerzone.test.", PriorityLocal),
+		"peerzone.test should remain after removing userzone.test")
+	assert.False(t, chainHasPattern(server, "userzone.test.", PriorityLocal),
+		"userzone.test handler must be deregistered, not leaked in the chain")
+}
+
+// TestDefaultServer_UpdateMux_PreservesLocalResolver verifies that updateMux
+// does not tear down the shared local resolver during reconfiguration. The
+// resolver is a process-lifetime singleton reused across config updates;
+// Stop() cancels its lookup context (breaking external CNAME-target
+// resolution) and clears its records. updateMux must deregister its chain
+// entries without stopping it. Records surviving a teardown update is the
+// observable proxy: Stop() would have cleared them.
+func TestDefaultServer_UpdateMux_PreservesLocalResolver(t *testing.T) {
+	resolver := local.NewResolver()
+	require.NoError(t, resolver.RegisterRecord(nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+		Name:  "peer.netbird.cloud.",
+		Type:  int(dns.TypeA),
+		Class: nbdns.DefaultClass,
+		TTL:   300,
+		RData: "10.0.0.1",
+	}))
+
+	server := &DefaultServer{
+		handlerChain:  NewHandlerChain(),
+		service:       &mockService{},
+		localResolver: resolver,
+	}
+
+	server.updateMux([]handlerWrapper{
+		{domain: "netbird.cloud", handler: resolver, priority: PriorityLocal},
+	})
+
+	// Remove the zone. The resolver must survive so its records and lookup
+	// context stay intact for the next registration.
+	server.updateMux(nil)
+
+	var response *dns.Msg
+	resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{
+		WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error {
+			response = m
+			return nil
+		},
+	}, &dns.Msg{Question: []dns.Question{{Name: "peer.netbird.cloud.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}}})
+
+	require.NotNil(t, response, "local resolver should answer after teardown")
+	assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, response.Rcode,
+		"local resolver records must survive teardown; updateMux must not Stop() the shared resolver")
+	assert.NotEmpty(t, response.Answer, "answer should contain the surviving record")
+}
+
 func TestExtraDomains(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name                string
@@ -2049,7 +1674,6 @@ func TestBuildUpstreamHandler_MergesGroupsPerDomain(t *testing.T) {
 		localResolver: local.NewResolver(),
 		handlerChain:  NewHandlerChain(),
 		hostManager:   &noopHostConfigurator{},
-		dnsMuxMap:     make(registeredHandlerMap),
 	}
 
 	groups := []*nbdns.NameServerGroup{
@@ -2207,7 +1831,7 @@ func TestEvaluateNSGroupHealth(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// healthStubHandler is a minimal dnsMuxMap entry that exposes a fixed
+// healthStubHandler is a minimal dnsMuxHandlers entry that exposes a fixed
 // UpstreamHealth snapshot, letting tests drive recomputeNSGroupStates
 // without spinning up real handlers.
 type healthStubHandler struct {
@@ -2283,12 +1907,11 @@ func newProjTestFixture(t *testing.T) *projTestFixture {
 		ctx:              context.Background(),
 		wgInterface:      &mocWGIface{},
 		statusRecorder:   recorder,
-		dnsMuxMap:        make(registeredHandlerMap),
 		selectedRoutes:   func() route.HAMap { return fx.selected },
 		activeRoutes:     func() route.HAMap { return fx.active },
 		warningDelayBase: defaultWarningDelayBase,
 	}
-	fx.server.dnsMuxMap["example.com"] = handlerWrapper{domain: "example.com", handler: fx.stub, priority: PriorityUpstream}
+	fx.server.dnsMuxHandlers = []handlerWrapper{{domain: "example.com", handler: fx.stub, priority: PriorityUpstream}}
 
 	fx.server.mux.Lock()
 	fx.server.updateNSGroupStates([]*nbdns.NameServerGroup{fx.group})
@@ -2395,7 +2018,6 @@ func TestProjection_OverlayAddrNoRouteDelaysWarning(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx:              context.Background(),
 		wgInterface:      &mocWGIface{},
 		statusRecorder:   recorder,
-		dnsMuxMap:        make(registeredHandlerMap),
 		selectedRoutes:   func() route.HAMap { return nil },
 		activeRoutes:     func() route.HAMap { return nil },
 		warningDelayBase: 50 * time.Millisecond,
@@ -2407,7 +2029,7 @@ func TestProjection_OverlayAddrNoRouteDelaysWarning(t *testing.T) {
 	stub := &healthStubHandler{health: map[netip.AddrPort]UpstreamHealth{
 		overlayPeer: {LastFail: time.Now(), LastErr: "timeout"},
 	}}
-	server.dnsMuxMap["example.com"] = handlerWrapper{domain: "example.com", handler: stub, priority: PriorityUpstream}
+	server.dnsMuxHandlers = []handlerWrapper{{domain: "example.com", handler: stub, priority: PriorityUpstream}}
 
 	server.mux.Lock()
 	server.updateNSGroupStates([]*nbdns.NameServerGroup{group})
@@ -2444,7 +2066,6 @@ func TestProjection_StopClearsHealthState(t *testing.T) {
 		service:           NewServiceViaMemory(wgIface),
 		hostManager:       &noopHostConfigurator{},
 		extraDomains:      map[domain.Domain]int{},
-		dnsMuxMap:         make(registeredHandlerMap),
 		statusRecorder:    peer.NewRecorder("mgm"),
 		selectedRoutes:    func() route.HAMap { return nil },
 		activeRoutes:      func() route.HAMap { return nil },
@@ -2459,7 +2080,7 @@ func TestProjection_StopClearsHealthState(t *testing.T) {
 		NameServers: []nbdns.NameServer{{IP: srv.Addr(), NSType: nbdns.UDPNameServerType, Port: int(srv.Port())}},
 	}
 	stub := &healthStubHandler{health: map[netip.AddrPort]UpstreamHealth{srv: {LastOk: time.Now()}}}
-	server.dnsMuxMap["example.com"] = handlerWrapper{domain: "example.com", handler: stub, priority: PriorityUpstream}
+	server.dnsMuxHandlers = []handlerWrapper{{domain: "example.com", handler: stub, priority: PriorityUpstream}}
 
 	server.mux.Lock()
 	server.updateNSGroupStates([]*nbdns.NameServerGroup{group})
@@ -2484,6 +2105,32 @@ func TestProjection_StopClearsHealthState(t *testing.T) {
 // rule 3: startup failures while the peer is handshaking, then the peer
 // comes up and a query succeeds before the grace window elapses. No
 // warning should ever have fired, and no recovery either.
+func TestWarningDelayBaseFromEnv(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		set  bool
+		val  string
+		want time.Duration
+	}{
+		{name: "unset uses default", set: false, want: defaultWarningDelayBase},
+		{name: "valid override", set: true, val: "90s", want: 90 * time.Second},
+		{name: "valid minutes", set: true, val: "2m", want: 2 * time.Minute},
+		{name: "invalid falls back", set: true, val: "notaduration", want: defaultWarningDelayBase},
+		{name: "zero falls back", set: true, val: "0s", want: defaultWarningDelayBase},
+		{name: "negative falls back", set: true, val: "-30s", want: defaultWarningDelayBase},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Setenv(envWarningDelay, tc.val)
+			if !tc.set {
+				os.Unsetenv(envWarningDelay)
+			}
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.want, warningDelayBaseFromEnv(), "grace window base")
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestProjection_OverlayRecoversDuringGrace(t *testing.T) {
 	fx := newProjTestFixture(t)
 	fx.server.warningDelayBase = 200 * time.Millisecond
@@ -2595,7 +2242,6 @@ func TestProjection_MixedGroupEmitsImmediately(t *testing.T) {
 	server := &DefaultServer{
 		ctx:              context.Background(),
 		statusRecorder:   recorder,
-		dnsMuxMap:        make(registeredHandlerMap),
 		selectedRoutes:   func() route.HAMap { return overlayMap },
 		activeRoutes:     func() route.HAMap { return nil },
 		warningDelayBase: time.Hour,
@@ -2613,7 +2259,7 @@ func TestProjection_MixedGroupEmitsImmediately(t *testing.T) {
 			overlay: {LastFail: time.Now(), LastErr: "timeout"},
 		},
 	}
-	server.dnsMuxMap["example.com"] = handlerWrapper{domain: "example.com", handler: stub, priority: PriorityUpstream}
+	server.dnsMuxHandlers = []handlerWrapper{{domain: "example.com", handler: stub, priority: PriorityUpstream}}
 
 	server.mux.Lock()
 	server.updateNSGroupStates([]*nbdns.NameServerGroup{group})
@@ -2640,7 +2286,6 @@ func TestDNSLoopPrevention(t *testing.T) {
 		localResolver: local.NewResolver(),
 		handlerChain:  NewHandlerChain(),
 		hostManager:   &noopHostConfigurator{},
-		dnsMuxMap:     make(registeredHandlerMap),
 	}
 
 	tests := []struct {

client/internal/dns/upstream.go

@@ -443,29 +443,32 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) queryUpstream(parentCtx context.Context, r *dns.M
 		return raceResult{}, &upstreamFailure{upstream: upstream, reason: "no response"}
 	}
 
+	// A valid response means the upstream is reachable, whatever the Rcode.
+	u.markUpstreamOk(upstream)
+
 	proto := ""
 	if upstreamProto != nil {
 		proto = upstreamProto.protocol
 	}
 
 	if rm.Rcode == dns.RcodeServerFailure || rm.Rcode == dns.RcodeRefused {
+		// SERVFAIL and REFUSED are per-question outcomes (DNSSEC-bogus names,
+		// refused zones, transient recursion errors), not reachability
+		// problems: fail over for a better answer but keep the upstream healthy.
 		if code, ok := nonRetryableEDE(rm); ok {
 			if !hadEdns {
-				stripOPT(rm)
+				resutil.StripOPT(rm)
 			}
-			u.markUpstreamOk(upstream)
 			return raceResult{msg: rm, upstream: upstream, protocol: proto, ede: edeName(code)}, nil
 		}
 		reason := dns.RcodeToString[rm.Rcode]
-		u.markUpstreamFail(upstream, reason)
 		return raceResult{}, &upstreamFailure{upstream: upstream, reason: reason}
 	}
 
 	if !hadEdns {
-		stripOPT(rm)
+		resutil.StripOPT(rm)
 	}
 
-	u.markUpstreamOk(upstream)
 	return raceResult{msg: rm, upstream: upstream, protocol: proto}, nil
 }
 
@@ -520,22 +523,6 @@ func upstreamUDPSize() uint16 {
 	return dns.MinMsgSize
 }
 
-// stripOPT removes any OPT pseudo-RRs from the response's Extra section so
-// the response complies with RFC 6891 when the client did not advertise EDNS0.
-func stripOPT(rm *dns.Msg) {
-	if len(rm.Extra) == 0 {
-		return
-	}
-	out := rm.Extra[:0]
-	for _, rr := range rm.Extra {
-		if _, ok := rr.(*dns.OPT); ok {
-			continue
-		}
-		out = append(out, rr)
-	}
-	rm.Extra = out
-}
-
 func (u *upstreamResolverBase) handleUpstreamError(err error, upstream netip.AddrPort, startTime time.Time) *upstreamFailure {
 	if !errors.Is(err, context.DeadlineExceeded) && !isTimeout(err) {
 		return &upstreamFailure{upstream: upstream, reason: err.Error()}

client/internal/dns/upstream_test.go

@@ -517,6 +517,78 @@ func TestUpstreamResolver_HealthTracking(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.NotContains(t, health, bad, "sibling upstream should not be queried when primary answers")
 }
 
+// TestUpstreamResolver_HealthTracking_ResponseMeansReachable verifies that an
+// upstream which answers with SERVFAIL or REFUSED is recorded as healthy:
+// those are per-question outcomes from a reachable server and must not mark
+// the upstream unhealthy. Only transport failures (timeouts) do.
+func TestUpstreamResolver_HealthTracking_ResponseMeansReachable(t *testing.T) {
+	a := netip.MustParseAddrPort("192.0.2.10:53")
+	b := netip.MustParseAddrPort("192.0.2.11:53")
+	timeoutErr := &net.OpError{Op: "read", Err: fmt.Errorf("i/o timeout")}
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name        string
+		respA       mockUpstreamResponse
+		respB       mockUpstreamResponse
+		wantHealthy bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:        "both SERVFAIL are reachable",
+			respA:       mockUpstreamResponse{msg: buildMockResponse(dns.RcodeServerFailure, "")},
+			respB:       mockUpstreamResponse{msg: buildMockResponse(dns.RcodeServerFailure, "")},
+			wantHealthy: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "both REFUSED are reachable",
+			respA:       mockUpstreamResponse{msg: buildMockResponse(dns.RcodeRefused, "")},
+			respB:       mockUpstreamResponse{msg: buildMockResponse(dns.RcodeRefused, "")},
+			wantHealthy: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "timeout marks unhealthy",
+			respA:       mockUpstreamResponse{err: timeoutErr},
+			respB:       mockUpstreamResponse{err: timeoutErr},
+			wantHealthy: false,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			mockClient := &mockUpstreamResolverPerServer{
+				responses: map[string]mockUpstreamResponse{
+					a.String(): tc.respA,
+					b.String(): tc.respB,
+				},
+				rtt: time.Millisecond,
+			}
+
+			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+			defer cancel()
+
+			resolver := &upstreamResolverBase{
+				ctx:             ctx,
+				upstreamClient:  mockClient,
+				upstreamTimeout: UpstreamTimeout,
+			}
+			resolver.addRace([]netip.AddrPort{a, b})
+
+			responseWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { return nil }}
+			resolver.ServeDNS(responseWriter, new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("example.com.", dns.TypeA))
+
+			health := resolver.UpstreamHealth()
+			require.Contains(t, health, a, "primary upstream should have a health record")
+			if tc.wantHealthy {
+				assert.False(t, health[a].LastOk.IsZero(), "responding upstream should have LastOk set")
+				assert.True(t, health[a].LastFail.IsZero(), "responding upstream should not be marked failed")
+				assert.Empty(t, health[a].LastErr, "responding upstream should have no error")
+			} else {
+				assert.False(t, health[a].LastFail.IsZero(), "timed-out upstream should be marked failed")
+				assert.NotEmpty(t, health[a].LastErr, "timed-out upstream should record an error")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestFormatFailures(t *testing.T) {
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name     string
@@ -913,19 +985,6 @@ func TestEDEName(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, "EDE 9999", edeName(9999), "unknown code falls back to numeric")
 }
 
-func TestStripOPT(t *testing.T) {
-	rm := &dns.Msg{
-		Extra: []dns.RR{
-			&dns.OPT{Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: ".", Rrtype: dns.TypeOPT}},
-			&dns.A{Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: "x.", Rrtype: dns.TypeA}, A: net.IPv4(1, 2, 3, 4)},
-		},
-	}
-	stripOPT(rm)
-	assert.Len(t, rm.Extra, 1, "OPT should be removed, A kept")
-	_, isOPT := rm.Extra[0].(*dns.OPT)
-	assert.False(t, isOPT, "remaining record must not be OPT")
-}
-
 func TestUpstreamResolver_NonRetryableEDEShortCircuits(t *testing.T) {
 	upstream1 := netip.MustParseAddrPort("192.0.2.1:53")
 	upstream2 := netip.MustParseAddrPort("192.0.2.2:53")

client/internal/dnsfwd/forwarder.go

@@ -26,6 +26,15 @@ import (
 const errResolveFailed = "failed to resolve query for domain=%s: %v"
 const upstreamTimeout = 15 * time.Second
 
+// EDE info codes the forwarder emits on upstream failures so the querying
+// client can see the reason without inspecting this peer's logs. They live in
+// the RFC 8914 Private Use range (49152-65535); the Go resolver never exposes a
+// real upstream EDE here, so these cannot collide with a genuine code.
+const (
+	edeNetbirdUpstreamTimeout uint16 = 49152
+	edeNetbirdUpstreamFailure uint16 = 49153
+)
+
 type resolver interface {
 	LookupNetIP(ctx context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error)
 }
@@ -220,7 +229,7 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQuery(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, q
 
 	result := resutil.LookupIP(ctx, f.resolver, network, qname, question.Qtype)
 	if result.Err != nil {
-		f.handleDNSError(ctx, logger, w, question, resp, qname, result, startTime)
+		f.handleDNSError(ctx, logger, w, question, resp, qname, result, query.IsEdns0() != nil, startTime)
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -333,6 +342,7 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSError(
 	resp *dns.Msg,
 	domain string,
 	result resutil.LookupResult,
+	reqHasEdns bool,
 	startTime time.Time,
 ) {
 	qType := question.Qtype
@@ -374,6 +384,10 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSError(
 		logger.Warnf(errResolveFailed, domain, result.Err)
 	}
 
+	if reqHasEdns {
+		attachEDE(resp, edeCodeFor(dnsErr), edeText(dnsErr))
+	}
+
 	f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, domain, startTime)
 }
 
@@ -414,3 +428,33 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) getMatchingEntries(domain string) (route.ResID, []*Forwar
 
 	return selectedResId, matches
 }
+
+// edeCodeFor maps an upstream lookup error to the NetBird EDE info code.
+func edeCodeFor(dnsErr *net.DNSError) uint16 {
+	if dnsErr != nil && dnsErr.IsTimeout {
+		return edeNetbirdUpstreamTimeout
+	}
+	return edeNetbirdUpstreamFailure
+}
+
+// edeText builds the EDE extra-text describing the class of upstream failure.
+// It deliberately omits the upstream server address, which may be an internal
+// resolver and is exposed to any client permitted to use the route; the full
+// detail stays in the forwarder's local log.
+func edeText(dnsErr *net.DNSError) string {
+	if dnsErr != nil && dnsErr.IsTimeout {
+		return "netbird forwarder: upstream timeout"
+	}
+	return "netbird forwarder: upstream failure"
+}
+
+// attachEDE adds an Extended DNS Error (RFC 8914) option to the response,
+// creating the OPT pseudo-record if the response does not already carry one.
+func attachEDE(resp *dns.Msg, code uint16, text string) {
+	opt := resp.IsEdns0()
+	if opt == nil {
+		resp.SetEdns0(dns.DefaultMsgSize, false)
+		opt = resp.IsEdns0()
+	}
+	opt.Option = append(opt.Option, &dns.EDNS0_EDE{InfoCode: code, ExtraText: text})
+}

client/internal/dnsfwd/forwarder_test.go

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
 	firewall "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/resutil"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/test"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
@@ -617,6 +618,85 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ResponseCodes(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestDNSForwarder_UpstreamFailureEDE(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name        string
+		lookupErr   error
+		reqEdns     bool
+		wantEDE     bool
+		wantCode    uint16
+		wantTextHas string
+	}{
+		{
+			name:        "timeout with edns0",
+			lookupErr:   &net.DNSError{Err: "i/o timeout", Server: "10.0.0.53:53", IsTimeout: true},
+			reqEdns:     true,
+			wantEDE:     true,
+			wantCode:    edeNetbirdUpstreamTimeout,
+			wantTextHas: "netbird forwarder: upstream timeout",
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "server failure with edns0",
+			lookupErr:   &net.DNSError{Err: "server misbehaving", Server: "10.0.0.53:53"},
+			reqEdns:     true,
+			wantEDE:     true,
+			wantCode:    edeNetbirdUpstreamFailure,
+			wantTextHas: "netbird forwarder: upstream failure",
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "no edns0 in request omits ede",
+			lookupErr: &net.DNSError{Err: "server misbehaving", Server: "10.0.0.53:53"},
+			reqEdns:   false,
+			wantEDE:   false,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+			forwarder := NewDNSForwarder(netip.MustParseAddrPort("127.0.0.1:0"), 300, nil, &peer.Status{}, nil)
+			forwarder.resolver = mockResolver
+
+			d, err := domain.FromString("example.com")
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			forwarder.UpdateDomains([]*ForwarderEntry{{Domain: d, ResID: "test-res"}})
+
+			mockResolver.On("LookupNetIP", mock.Anything, "ip4", "example.com.").
+				Return([]netip.Addr(nil), tt.lookupErr).Once()
+
+			query := &dns.Msg{}
+			query.SetQuestion("example.com.", dns.TypeA)
+			if tt.reqEdns {
+				query.SetEdns0(dns.DefaultMsgSize, false)
+			}
+
+			var writtenResp *dns.Msg
+			mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{
+				WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error {
+					writtenResp = m
+					return nil
+				},
+			}
+
+			forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query, time.Now())
+			mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+
+			require.NotNil(t, writtenResp, "expected a response")
+			assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeServerFailure, writtenResp.Rcode, "upstream failure must be SERVFAIL")
+
+			ede, ok := resutil.ExtractEDE(writtenResp)
+			if !tt.wantEDE {
+				assert.False(t, ok, "response must not carry EDE")
+				return
+			}
+			require.True(t, ok, "response must carry EDE")
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.wantCode, ede.InfoCode, "EDE info code")
+			assert.Contains(t, ede.ExtraText, tt.wantTextHas, "EDE extra-text")
+			assert.NotContains(t, ede.ExtraText, "10.0.0.53", "must not leak upstream server address")
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestDNSForwarder_TCPTruncation(t *testing.T) {
 	// Test that large UDP responses are truncated with TC bit set
 	mockResolver := &MockResolver{}

client/internal/engine.go

@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/relay"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/rosenpass"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/systemops"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/syncstore"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater"
@@ -88,6 +87,8 @@ const (
 
 var ErrResetConnection = fmt.Errorf("reset connection")
 
+var ErrEngineAlreadyStarted = errors.New("engine already started")
+
 type EngineConfig struct {
 	WgPort      int
 	WgIfaceName string
@@ -203,6 +204,8 @@ type Engine struct {
 	ctx    context.Context
 	cancel context.CancelFunc
 
+	started bool
+
 	wgInterface WGIface
 
 	udpMux *udpmux.UniversalUDPMuxDefault
@@ -245,7 +248,7 @@ type Engine struct {
 	syncStore    syncstore.Store
 	syncStoreDir string
 
-	flowManager         nftypes.FlowManager
+	flowManager nftypes.FlowManager
 
 	// auto-update
 	updateManager *updater.Manager
@@ -285,9 +288,15 @@ func NewEngine(
 	services EngineServices,
 	mobileDep MobileDependency,
 ) *Engine {
+	// The engine is single-use: a fresh instance is built per connection
+	// cycle (see Client.run), so the run context is created once here rather
+	// than in Start.
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(clientCtx)
 	engine := &Engine{
 		clientCtx:          clientCtx,
 		clientCancel:       clientCancel,
+		ctx:                ctx,
+		cancel:             cancel,
 		signal:             services.SignalClient,
 		signaler:           peer.NewSignaler(services.SignalClient, config.WgPrivateKey),
 		mgmClient:          services.MgmClient,
@@ -321,8 +330,34 @@ func (e *Engine) Stop() error {
 		log.Debugf("tried stopping engine that is nil")
 		return nil
 	}
+	e.cancel()
 	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
 
+	e.stopLocked()
+
+	e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
+
+	timeout := e.calculateShutdownTimeout()
+	log.Debugf("waiting for goroutines to finish with timeout: %v", timeout)
+	shutdownCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), timeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	if err := waitWithContext(shutdownCtx, &e.shutdownWg); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("shutdown timeout exceeded after %v, some goroutines may still be running", timeout)
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("stopped Netbird Engine")
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// stopLocked tears down everything Start may have brought up, in the order
+// teardown requires (DNS before the interface goes down, flow manager after).
+// The caller must hold syncMsgMux. It is shared by Stop and by Start's failure
+// path, so a partially-initialized engine is cleaned up the same way; every
+// step is nil-guarded. It does not wait on shutdownWg — the caller does that
+// after releasing the lock, since the goroutines also take syncMsgMux.
+func (e *Engine) stopLocked() {
 	if e.connMgr != nil {
 		e.connMgr.Close()
 	}
@@ -377,10 +412,6 @@ func (e *Engine) Stop() error {
 	// so dbus and friends don't complain because of a missing interface
 	e.stopDNSServer()
 
-	if e.cancel != nil {
-		e.cancel()
-	}
-
 	e.jobExecutorWG.Wait() // block until job goroutines finish
 
 	e.close()
@@ -399,21 +430,6 @@ func (e *Engine) Stop() error {
 	if err := e.stateManager.PersistState(context.Background()); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to persist state: %v", err)
 	}
-
-	e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
-
-	timeout := e.calculateShutdownTimeout()
-	log.Debugf("waiting for goroutines to finish with timeout: %v", timeout)
-	shutdownCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), timeout)
-	defer cancel()
-
-	if err := waitWithContext(shutdownCtx, &e.shutdownWg); err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("shutdown timeout exceeded after %v, some goroutines may still be running", timeout)
-	}
-
-	log.Infof("stopped Netbird Engine")
-
-	return nil
 }
 
 // calculateShutdownTimeout returns shutdown timeout: 10s base + 100ms per peer, capped at 30s.
@@ -451,18 +467,38 @@ func waitWithContext(ctx context.Context, wg *sync.WaitGroup) error {
 // Start creates a new WireGuard tunnel interface and listens to events from Signal and Management services
 // Connections to remote peers are not established here.
 // However, they will be established once an event with a list of peers to connect to will be received from Management Service
-func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL) error {
+func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL) (err error) {
 	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
 	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
 
-	if err := iface.ValidateMTU(e.config.MTU); err != nil {
+	// The engine is single-use. Reject a duplicate start and a start on an
+	// already-stopped engine (run context cancelled).
+	if e.started {
+		return ErrEngineAlreadyStarted
+	}
+
+	if ctxErr := e.ctx.Err(); ctxErr != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("engine already stopped: %w", ctxErr)
+	}
+
+	e.started = true
+
+	// Tear down any partially-initialized state on a failed start. Cancel the
+	// run context first so goroutines started before the failure (connMgr,
+	// srWatcher, monitors) unwind, then stopLocked mirrors Stop's teardown (we
+	// already hold syncMsgMux), cleaning up route/DNS/flow/state managers too,
+	// not just what close() covers.
+	defer func() {
+		if err != nil {
+			e.cancel()
+			e.stopLocked()
+		}
+	}()
+
+	if err = iface.ValidateMTU(e.config.MTU); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("invalid MTU configuration: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	if e.cancel != nil {
-		e.cancel()
-	}
-	e.ctx, e.cancel = context.WithCancel(e.clientCtx)
 	e.exposeManager = expose.NewManager(e.ctx, e.mgmClient)
 
 	wgIface, err := e.newWgIface()
@@ -496,13 +532,11 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 
 	initialRoutes, dnsConfig, dnsFeatureFlag, err := e.readInitialSettings()
 	if err != nil {
-		e.close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("read initial settings: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	dnsServer, err := e.newDnsServer(dnsConfig)
 	if err != nil {
-		e.close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("create dns server: %w", err)
 	}
 	e.dnsServer = dnsServer
@@ -537,12 +571,14 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 
 	if err = e.wgInterfaceCreate(); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed creating tunnel interface %s: [%s]", e.config.WgIfaceName, err.Error())
-		e.close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("create wg interface: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	if filteredDevice := e.wgInterface.GetDevice(); filteredDevice != nil {
+		filteredDevice.SetPanicHandler(e.triggerClientRestart)
+	}
+
 	if err := e.createFirewall(); err != nil {
-		e.close()
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -554,7 +590,6 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 	e.udpMux, err = e.wgInterface.Up()
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to pull up wgInterface [%s]: %s", e.wgInterface.Name(), err.Error())
-		e.close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("up wg interface: %w", err)
 	}
 
@@ -579,9 +614,7 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 		e.acl = acl.NewDefaultManager(e.firewall)
 	}
 
-	err = e.dnsServer.Initialize()
-	if err != nil {
-		e.close()
+	if err := e.dnsServer.Initialize(); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("initialize dns server: %w", err)
 	}
 
@@ -593,7 +626,9 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 	e.srWatcher = guard.NewSRWatcher(e.signal, e.relayManager, e.mobileDep.IFaceDiscover, iceCfg)
 	e.srWatcher.Start(peer.IsForceRelayed())
 
-	e.receiveSignalEvents()
+	if err = e.receiveSignalEvents(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	e.receiveManagementEvents()
 	e.receiveJobEvents()
 
@@ -645,7 +680,6 @@ func (e *Engine) createFirewall() error {
 
 func (e *Engine) initFirewall() error {
 	if err := e.routeManager.SetFirewall(e.firewall); err != nil {
-		e.close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("set firewall: %w", err)
 	}
 
@@ -1042,7 +1076,7 @@ func (e *Engine) updateChecksIfNew(checks []*mgmProto.Checks) error {
 	}
 	e.checks = checks
 
-	info, err := system.GetInfoWithChecks(e.ctx, checks)
+	info, err := system.GetInfoWithChecks(e.ctx, checks, e.overlayAddresses()...)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Warnf("failed to get system info with checks: %v", err)
 		info = system.GetInfo(e.ctx)
@@ -1074,6 +1108,20 @@ func (e *Engine) updateChecksIfNew(checks []*mgmProto.Checks) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// overlayAddresses returns our own WireGuard overlay address (v4 and v6) so it
+// can be excluded from the reported network addresses; the interface coming and
+// going otherwise churns the peer meta on the management server.
+func (e *Engine) overlayAddresses() []netip.Addr {
+	var ips []netip.Addr
+	if e.config.WgAddr.IP.IsValid() {
+		ips = append(ips, e.config.WgAddr.IP)
+	}
+	if e.config.WgAddr.HasIPv6() {
+		ips = append(ips, e.config.WgAddr.IPv6)
+	}
+	return ips
+}
+
 func (e *Engine) updateConfig(conf *mgmProto.PeerConfig) error {
 	if e.wgInterface == nil {
 		return errors.New("wireguard interface is not initialized")
@@ -1221,7 +1269,7 @@ func (e *Engine) receiveManagementEvents() {
 	e.shutdownWg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		defer e.shutdownWg.Done()
-		info, err := system.GetInfoWithChecks(e.ctx, e.checks)
+		info, err := system.GetInfoWithChecks(e.ctx, e.checks, e.overlayAddresses()...)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Warnf("failed to get system info with checks: %v", err)
 			info = system.GetInfo(e.ctx)
@@ -1716,7 +1764,7 @@ func (e *Engine) createPeerConn(pubKey string, allowedIPs []netip.Prefix, agentV
 }
 
 // receiveSignalEvents connects to the Signal Service event stream to negotiate connection with remote peers
-func (e *Engine) receiveSignalEvents() {
+func (e *Engine) receiveSignalEvents() error {
 	e.shutdownWg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		defer e.shutdownWg.Done()
@@ -1732,6 +1780,13 @@ func (e *Engine) receiveSignalEvents() {
 				return e.ctx.Err()
 			}
 
+			// Self-addressed heartbeat: the signal client's receive watchdog
+			// round-trips this through the server to confirm the receive stream
+			// is delivering. Liveness is already recorded before this handler.
+			if msg.GetBody().GetType() == sProto.Body_HEARTBEAT {
+				return nil
+			}
+
 			conn, ok := e.peerStore.PeerConn(msg.Key)
 			if !ok {
 				return fmt.Errorf("wrongly addressed message %s", msg.Key)
@@ -1780,7 +1835,12 @@ func (e *Engine) receiveSignalEvents() {
 		}
 	}()
 
-	e.signal.WaitStreamConnected()
+	// todo: consider to remove this blocker. I do not see benefit to block the Start operations
+	e.signal.WaitStreamConnected(e.ctx)
+	if err := e.ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("wait for signal stream: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (e *Engine) parseNATExternalIPMappings() []string {
@@ -1931,7 +1991,6 @@ func (e *Engine) newWgIface() (*iface.WGIface, error) {
 		WGPrivKey:    e.config.WgPrivateKey.String(),
 		MTU:          e.config.MTU,
 		TransportNet: transportNet,
-		FilterFn:     e.addrViaRoutes,
 		DisableDNS:   e.config.DisableDNS,
 	}
 
@@ -2179,21 +2238,6 @@ func (e *Engine) startNetworkMonitor() {
 	}()
 }
 
-func (e *Engine) addrViaRoutes(addr netip.Addr) (bool, netip.Prefix, error) {
-	var vpnRoutes []netip.Prefix
-	for _, routes := range e.routeManager.GetClientRoutes() {
-		if len(routes) > 0 && routes[0] != nil {
-			vpnRoutes = append(vpnRoutes, routes[0].Network)
-		}
-	}
-
-	if isVpn, prefix := systemops.IsAddrRouted(addr, vpnRoutes); isVpn {
-		return true, prefix, nil
-	}
-
-	return false, netip.Prefix{}, nil
-}
-
 func (e *Engine) stopDNSServer() {
 	if e.dnsServer == nil {
 		return

client/internal/engine_privileged_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,565 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel"
+	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/wgctrl/wgtypes"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/keepalive"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
+	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/dns"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/controller"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/update_channel"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers/ephemeral/manager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/server/config"
+	nbgrpc "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/shared/grpc"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/activity"
+	nbcache "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/cache"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/groups"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/integrated_validator/validator"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/port_forwarding"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/job"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/permissions"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/settings"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/store"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/telemetry"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/types"
+	mgmt "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/client"
+	mgmtProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
+	relayClient "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/relay/client"
+	signal "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/signal/client"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/signal/proto"
+	signalServer "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/signal/server"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
+)
+
+func TestEngine_SSH(t *testing.T) {
+	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	sshKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePrivateKey(nbssh.ED25519)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
+	defer cancel()
+
+	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
+	engine := NewEngine(
+		ctx, cancel,
+		&EngineConfig{
+			WgIfaceName:      "utun101",
+			WgAddr:           wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.64.0.1/24"),
+			WgPrivateKey:     key,
+			WgPort:           33100,
+			ServerSSHAllowed: true,
+			MTU:              iface.DefaultMTU,
+			SSHKey:           sshKey,
+		},
+		EngineServices{
+			SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
+			MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{},
+			RelayManager:   relayMgr,
+			StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
+		},
+		MobileDependency{},
+	)
+
+	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
+		UpdateDNSServerFunc: func(serial uint64, update nbdns.Config) error { return nil },
+	}
+
+	err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	defer func() {
+		err := engine.Stop()
+		if err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+	}()
+
+	peerWithSSH := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
+		WgPubKey:   "MNHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU=",
+		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.21/24"},
+		SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{
+			SshPubKey: []byte("ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAIFATYCqaQw/9id1Qkq3n16JYhDhXraI6Pc1fgB8ynEfQ"),
+		},
+	}
+
+	// SSH server is not enabled so SSH config of a remote peer should be ignored
+	networkMap := &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
+		Serial:             6,
+		PeerConfig:         nil,
+		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
+		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
+	}
+
+	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Nil(t, engine.sshServer)
+
+	// SSH server is enabled, therefore SSH config should be applied
+	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
+		Serial: 7,
+		PeerConfig: &mgmtProto.PeerConfig{Address: "100.64.0.1/24",
+			SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{
+				SshEnabled: true,
+				JwtConfig: &mgmtProto.JWTConfig{
+					Issuer:       "test-issuer",
+					Audience:     "test-audience",
+					KeysLocation: "test-keys",
+					MaxTokenAge:  3600,
+				},
+			}},
+		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
+		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
+	}
+
+	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
+	assert.NotNil(t, engine.sshServer)
+
+	// now remove peer
+	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
+		Serial:             8,
+		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{},
+		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
+	}
+
+	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
+	assert.NotNil(t, engine.sshServer)
+
+	// now disable SSH server
+	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
+		Serial: 9,
+		PeerConfig: &mgmtProto.PeerConfig{Address: "100.64.0.1/24",
+			SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{SshEnabled: false}},
+		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
+		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
+	}
+
+	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Nil(t, engine.sshServer)
+}
+
+func TestEngine_Sync(t *testing.T) {
+	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
+	defer cancel()
+
+	// feed updates to Engine via mocked Management client
+	updates := make(chan *mgmtProto.SyncResponse)
+	defer close(updates)
+	syncFunc := func(ctx context.Context, info *system.Info, msgHandler func(msg *mgmtProto.SyncResponse) error) error {
+		for msg := range updates {
+			err := msgHandler(msg)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
+	engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &EngineConfig{
+		WgIfaceName:  "utun103",
+		WgAddr:       wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.64.0.1/24"),
+		WgPrivateKey: key,
+		WgPort:       33100,
+		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
+	}, EngineServices{
+		SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
+		MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{SyncFunc: syncFunc},
+		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
+		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
+	}, MobileDependency{})
+	engine.ctx = ctx
+
+	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
+		UpdateDNSServerFunc: func(serial uint64, update nbdns.Config) error { return nil },
+	}
+
+	defer func() {
+		err := engine.Stop()
+		if err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+	}()
+
+	err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	peer1 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
+		WgPubKey:   "RRHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU=",
+		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.10/24"},
+	}
+	peer2 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
+		WgPubKey:   "LLHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX9+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LlhU=",
+		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.11/24"},
+	}
+	peer3 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
+		WgPubKey:   "GGHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX9+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LlhU=",
+		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.12/24"},
+	}
+	// 1st update with just 1 peer and serial larger than the current serial of the engine => apply update
+	updates <- &mgmtProto.SyncResponse{
+		NetworkMap: &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
+			Serial:             10,
+			PeerConfig:         nil,
+			RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peer1, peer2, peer3},
+			RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
+		},
+	}
+
+	timeout := time.After(time.Second * 2)
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-timeout:
+			t.Fatalf("timeout while waiting for test to finish")
+			return
+		default:
+		}
+
+		if getPeers(engine) == 3 && engine.networkSerial == 10 {
+			break
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEngine_MultiplePeers(t *testing.T) {
+	// log.SetLevel(log.DebugLevel)
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
+	defer cancel()
+
+	sigServer, signalAddr, err := startSignal(t)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+	defer sigServer.Stop()
+	mgmtServer, mgmtAddr, err := startManagement(t, t.TempDir(), "../testdata/store.sql")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+	defer mgmtServer.GracefulStop()
+
+	setupKey := "A2C8E62B-38F5-4553-B31E-DD66C696CEBB"
+
+	mu := sync.Mutex{}
+	engines := []*Engine{}
+	numPeers := 10
+	wg := sync.WaitGroup{}
+	wg.Add(numPeers)
+	// create and start peers
+	for i := 0; i < numPeers; i++ {
+		j := i
+		go func() {
+			engine, err := createEngine(ctx, cancel, setupKey, j, mgmtAddr, signalAddr)
+			if err != nil {
+				wg.Done()
+				t.Errorf("unable to create the engine for peer %d with error %v", j, err)
+				return
+			}
+			engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{}
+			mu.Lock()
+			defer mu.Unlock()
+			guid := fmt.Sprintf("{%s}", uuid.New().String())
+			device.CustomWindowsGUIDString = strings.ToLower(guid)
+			err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("unable to start engine for peer %d with error %v", j, err)
+				wg.Done()
+				return
+			}
+			engines = append(engines, engine)
+			wg.Done()
+		}()
+	}
+
+	// wait until all have been created and started
+	wg.Wait()
+	if len(engines) != numPeers {
+		t.Fatal("not all peers were started")
+	}
+	// check whether all the peer have expected peers connected
+
+	expectedConnected := numPeers * (numPeers - 1)
+
+	// adjust according to timeouts
+	timeout := 50 * time.Second
+	timeoutChan := time.After(timeout)
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(time.Second)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+loop:
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-timeoutChan:
+			t.Fatalf("waiting for expected connections timeout after %s", timeout.String())
+			break loop
+		case <-ticker.C:
+			totalConnected := 0
+			for _, engine := range engines {
+				totalConnected += getConnectedPeers(engine)
+			}
+			if totalConnected == expectedConnected {
+				log.Infof("total connected=%d", totalConnected)
+				break loop
+			}
+			log.Infof("total connected=%d", totalConnected)
+		}
+	}
+	// cleanup test
+	for n, peerEngine := range engines {
+		t.Logf("stopping peer with interface %s from multipeer test, loopIndex %d", peerEngine.wgInterface.Name(), n)
+		errStop := peerEngine.mgmClient.Close()
+		if errStop != nil {
+			log.Infoln("got error trying to close management clients from engine: ", errStop)
+		}
+		errStop = peerEngine.Stop()
+		if errStop != nil {
+			log.Infoln("got error trying to close testing peers engine: ", errStop)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+var (
+	kaep = keepalive.EnforcementPolicy{
+		MinTime:             15 * time.Second,
+		PermitWithoutStream: true,
+	}
+
+	kasp = keepalive.ServerParameters{
+		MaxConnectionIdle:     15 * time.Second,
+		MaxConnectionAgeGrace: 5 * time.Second,
+		Time:                  5 * time.Second,
+		Timeout:               2 * time.Second,
+	}
+)
+
+func createEngine(ctx context.Context, cancel context.CancelFunc, setupKey string, i int, mgmtAddr string, signalAddr string) (*Engine, error) {
+	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	mgmtClient, err := mgmt.NewClient(ctx, mgmtAddr, key, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	signalClient, err := signal.NewClient(ctx, signalAddr, key, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	info := system.GetInfo(ctx)
+	resp, err := mgmtClient.Register(setupKey, "", info, nil, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	var ifaceName string
+	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
+		ifaceName = fmt.Sprintf("utun1%d", i)
+	} else {
+		ifaceName = fmt.Sprintf("wt%d", i)
+	}
+
+	wgPort := 33100 + i
+	conf := &EngineConfig{
+		WgIfaceName:  ifaceName,
+		WgAddr:       wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress(resp.PeerConfig.Address),
+		WgPrivateKey: key,
+		WgPort:       wgPort,
+		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
+	}
+
+	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
+	e, err := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, conf, EngineServices{
+		SignalClient:   signalClient,
+		MgmClient:      mgmtClient,
+		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
+		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
+	}, MobileDependency{}), nil
+	e.ctx = ctx
+	return e, err
+}
+
+func startSignal(t *testing.T) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
+
+	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("failed to listen: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	srv, err := signalServer.NewServer(context.Background(), otel.Meter(""))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	proto.RegisterSignalExchangeServer(s, srv)
+
+	go func() {
+		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
+			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
+}
+
+func startManagement(t *testing.T, dataDir, testFile string) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	config := &config.Config{
+		Stuns:      []*config.Host{},
+		TURNConfig: &config.TURNConfig{},
+		Relay: &config.Relay{
+			Addresses:      []string{"127.0.0.1:1234"},
+			CredentialsTTL: util.Duration{Duration: time.Hour},
+			Secret:         "222222222222222222",
+		},
+		Signal: &config.Host{
+			Proto: "http",
+			URI:   "localhost:10000",
+		},
+		Datadir:    dataDir,
+		HttpConfig: nil,
+	}
+
+	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
+
+	store, cleanUp, err := store.NewTestStoreFromSQL(context.Background(), testFile, config.Datadir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(cleanUp)
+
+	eventStore := &activity.InMemoryEventStore{}
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	permissionsManager := permissions.NewManager(store)
+	peersManager := peers.NewManager(store, permissionsManager)
+	jobManager := job.NewJobManager(nil, store, peersManager)
+
+	cacheStore, err := nbcache.NewStore(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond, 300*time.Millisecond, 100)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	ia, _ := validator.NewIntegratedValidator(context.Background(), peersManager, nil, eventStore, cacheStore)
+
+	metrics, err := telemetry.NewDefaultAppMetrics(context.Background())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
+	t.Cleanup(ctrl.Finish)
+	settingsMockManager := settings.NewMockManager(ctrl)
+	settingsMockManager.EXPECT().
+		GetSettings(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		Return(&types.Settings{}, nil).
+		AnyTimes()
+	settingsMockManager.EXPECT().
+		GetExtraSettings(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+		Return(&types.ExtraSettings{}, nil).
+		AnyTimes()
+
+	groupsManager := groups.NewManagerMock()
+
+	updateManager := update_channel.NewPeersUpdateManager(metrics)
+	requestBuffer := server.NewAccountRequestBuffer(context.Background(), store)
+	networkMapController := controller.NewController(context.Background(), store, metrics, updateManager, requestBuffer, server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, settingsMockManager, "netbird.selfhosted", port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), manager.NewEphemeralManager(store, peersManager), config)
+	accountManager, err := server.BuildManager(context.Background(), config, store, networkMapController, jobManager, nil, "", eventStore, nil, false, ia, metrics, port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), settingsMockManager, permissionsManager, false, cacheStore)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	secretsManager, err := nbgrpc.NewTimeBasedAuthSecretsManager(updateManager, config.TURNConfig, config.Relay, settingsMockManager, groupsManager)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	mgmtServer, err := nbgrpc.NewServer(config, accountManager, settingsMockManager, jobManager, secretsManager, nil, nil, &server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, networkMapController, nil, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	mgmtProto.RegisterManagementServiceServer(s, mgmtServer)
+	go func() {
+		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
+			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
+}
+
+// getConnectedPeers returns a connection Status or nil if peer connection wasn't found
+func getConnectedPeers(e *Engine) int {
+	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
+	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
+	i := 0
+	for _, id := range e.peerStore.PeersPubKey() {
+		conn, _ := e.peerStore.PeerConn(id)
+		if conn.IsConnected() {
+			i++
+		}
+	}
+	return i
+}
+
+func getPeers(e *Engine) int {
+	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
+	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
+
+	return len(e.peerStore.PeersPubKey())
+}

client/internal/engine_test.go

@@ -6,37 +6,18 @@ import (
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
 	"os"
-	"runtime"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
-	"github.com/google/uuid"
-	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel"
 	wgdevice "golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/device"
 	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/tun/netstack"
 	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/wgctrl/wgtypes"
-	"google.golang.org/grpc"
-	"google.golang.org/grpc/keepalive"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/stdnet"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/job"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/integrated_validator/validator"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/controller"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/update_channel"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers/ephemeral/manager"
-	nbgrpc "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/shared/grpc"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/server/config"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/groups"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/configurer"
@@ -50,18 +31,7 @@ import (
 	icemaker "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer/ice"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager"
-	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
 	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/dns"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/activity"
-	nbcache "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/cache"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/port_forwarding"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/permissions"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/settings"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/store"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/telemetry"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/types"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/monotime"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
 	mgmt "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/client"
@@ -69,25 +39,9 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/netiputil"
 	relayClient "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/relay/client"
 	signal "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/signal/client"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/signal/proto"
-	signalServer "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/signal/server"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
 )
 
-var (
-	kaep = keepalive.EnforcementPolicy{
-		MinTime:             15 * time.Second,
-		PermitWithoutStream: true,
-	}
-
-	kasp = keepalive.ServerParameters{
-		MaxConnectionIdle:     15 * time.Second,
-		MaxConnectionAgeGrace: 5 * time.Second,
-		Time:                  5 * time.Second,
-		Timeout:               2 * time.Second,
-	}
-)
-
 type MockWGIface struct {
 	CreateFunc                 func() error
 	CreateOnAndroidFunc        func(routeRange []string, ip string, domains []string) error
@@ -234,129 +188,6 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	os.Exit(code)
 }
 
-func TestEngine_SSH(t *testing.T) {
-	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	sshKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePrivateKey(nbssh.ED25519)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-	defer cancel()
-
-	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	engine := NewEngine(
-		ctx, cancel,
-		&EngineConfig{
-			WgIfaceName:      "utun101",
-			WgAddr:           wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.64.0.1/24"),
-			WgPrivateKey:     key,
-			WgPort:           33100,
-			ServerSSHAllowed: true,
-			MTU:              iface.DefaultMTU,
-			SSHKey:           sshKey,
-		},
-		EngineServices{
-			SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
-			MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{},
-			RelayManager:   relayMgr,
-			StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
-		},
-		MobileDependency{},
-	)
-
-	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
-		UpdateDNSServerFunc: func(serial uint64, update nbdns.Config) error { return nil },
-	}
-
-	err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	defer func() {
-		err := engine.Stop()
-		if err != nil {
-			return
-		}
-	}()
-
-	peerWithSSH := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
-		WgPubKey:   "MNHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU=",
-		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.21/24"},
-		SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{
-			SshPubKey: []byte("ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAIFATYCqaQw/9id1Qkq3n16JYhDhXraI6Pc1fgB8ynEfQ"),
-		},
-	}
-
-	// SSH server is not enabled so SSH config of a remote peer should be ignored
-	networkMap := &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-		Serial:             6,
-		PeerConfig:         nil,
-		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
-		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-	}
-
-	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	assert.Nil(t, engine.sshServer)
-
-	// SSH server is enabled, therefore SSH config should be applied
-	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-		Serial: 7,
-		PeerConfig: &mgmtProto.PeerConfig{Address: "100.64.0.1/24",
-			SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{
-				SshEnabled: true,
-				JwtConfig: &mgmtProto.JWTConfig{
-					Issuer:       "test-issuer",
-					Audience:     "test-audience",
-					KeysLocation: "test-keys",
-					MaxTokenAge:  3600,
-				},
-			}},
-		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
-		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-	}
-
-	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
-	assert.NotNil(t, engine.sshServer)
-
-	// now remove peer
-	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-		Serial:             8,
-		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{},
-		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-	}
-
-	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	// time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
-	assert.NotNil(t, engine.sshServer)
-
-	// now disable SSH server
-	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-		Serial: 9,
-		PeerConfig: &mgmtProto.PeerConfig{Address: "100.64.0.1/24",
-			SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{SshEnabled: false}},
-		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
-		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-	}
-
-	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	assert.Nil(t, engine.sshServer)
-}
-
 func TestEngine_SSHUpdateLogic(t *testing.T) {
 	// Test that SSH server start/stop logic works based on config
 	engine := &Engine{
@@ -426,7 +257,7 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMap(t *testing.T) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
 	defer cancel()
 
 	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
@@ -631,97 +462,6 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMap(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestEngine_Sync(t *testing.T) {
-	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-	defer cancel()
-
-	// feed updates to Engine via mocked Management client
-	updates := make(chan *mgmtProto.SyncResponse)
-	defer close(updates)
-	syncFunc := func(ctx context.Context, info *system.Info, msgHandler func(msg *mgmtProto.SyncResponse) error) error {
-		for msg := range updates {
-			err := msgHandler(msg)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-		}
-		return nil
-	}
-	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &EngineConfig{
-		WgIfaceName:  "utun103",
-		WgAddr:       wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.64.0.1/24"),
-		WgPrivateKey: key,
-		WgPort:       33100,
-		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-	}, EngineServices{
-		SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
-		MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{SyncFunc: syncFunc},
-		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
-		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
-	}, MobileDependency{})
-	engine.ctx = ctx
-
-	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
-		UpdateDNSServerFunc: func(serial uint64, update nbdns.Config) error { return nil },
-	}
-
-	defer func() {
-		err := engine.Stop()
-		if err != nil {
-			return
-		}
-	}()
-
-	err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	peer1 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
-		WgPubKey:   "RRHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU=",
-		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.10/24"},
-	}
-	peer2 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
-		WgPubKey:   "LLHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX9+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LlhU=",
-		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.11/24"},
-	}
-	peer3 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
-		WgPubKey:   "GGHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX9+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LlhU=",
-		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.12/24"},
-	}
-	// 1st update with just 1 peer and serial larger than the current serial of the engine => apply update
-	updates <- &mgmtProto.SyncResponse{
-		NetworkMap: &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-			Serial:             10,
-			PeerConfig:         nil,
-			RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peer1, peer2, peer3},
-			RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-		},
-	}
-
-	timeout := time.After(time.Second * 2)
-	for {
-		select {
-		case <-timeout:
-			t.Fatalf("timeout while waiting for test to finish")
-			return
-		default:
-		}
-
-		if getPeers(engine) == 3 && engine.networkSerial == 10 {
-			break
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithRoutes(t *testing.T) {
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name                 string
@@ -817,7 +557,7 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithRoutes(t *testing.T) {
 				return
 			}
 
-			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
 			defer cancel()
 
 			wgIfaceName := fmt.Sprintf("utun%d", 104+n)
@@ -1024,7 +764,7 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithDNSUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				return
 			}
 
-			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
 			defer cancel()
 
 			wgIfaceName := fmt.Sprintf("utun%d", 104+n)
@@ -1105,104 +845,6 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithDNSUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestEngine_MultiplePeers(t *testing.T) {
-	// log.SetLevel(log.DebugLevel)
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
-	defer cancel()
-
-	sigServer, signalAddr, err := startSignal(t)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-	defer sigServer.Stop()
-	mgmtServer, mgmtAddr, err := startManagement(t, t.TempDir(), "../testdata/store.sql")
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-	defer mgmtServer.GracefulStop()
-
-	setupKey := "A2C8E62B-38F5-4553-B31E-DD66C696CEBB"
-
-	mu := sync.Mutex{}
-	engines := []*Engine{}
-	numPeers := 10
-	wg := sync.WaitGroup{}
-	wg.Add(numPeers)
-	// create and start peers
-	for i := 0; i < numPeers; i++ {
-		j := i
-		go func() {
-			engine, err := createEngine(ctx, cancel, setupKey, j, mgmtAddr, signalAddr)
-			if err != nil {
-				wg.Done()
-				t.Errorf("unable to create the engine for peer %d with error %v", j, err)
-				return
-			}
-			engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{}
-			mu.Lock()
-			defer mu.Unlock()
-			guid := fmt.Sprintf("{%s}", uuid.New().String())
-			device.CustomWindowsGUIDString = strings.ToLower(guid)
-			err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Errorf("unable to start engine for peer %d with error %v", j, err)
-				wg.Done()
-				return
-			}
-			engines = append(engines, engine)
-			wg.Done()
-		}()
-	}
-
-	// wait until all have been created and started
-	wg.Wait()
-	if len(engines) != numPeers {
-		t.Fatal("not all peers was started")
-	}
-	// check whether all the peer have expected peers connected
-
-	expectedConnected := numPeers * (numPeers - 1)
-
-	// adjust according to timeouts
-	timeout := 50 * time.Second
-	timeoutChan := time.After(timeout)
-	ticker := time.NewTicker(time.Second)
-	defer ticker.Stop()
-loop:
-	for {
-		select {
-		case <-timeoutChan:
-			t.Fatalf("waiting for expected connections timeout after %s", timeout.String())
-			break loop
-		case <-ticker.C:
-			totalConnected := 0
-			for _, engine := range engines {
-				totalConnected += getConnectedPeers(engine)
-			}
-			if totalConnected == expectedConnected {
-				log.Infof("total connected=%d", totalConnected)
-				break loop
-			}
-			log.Infof("total connected=%d", totalConnected)
-		}
-	}
-	// cleanup test
-	for n, peerEngine := range engines {
-		t.Logf("stopping peer with interface %s from multipeer test, loopIndex %d", peerEngine.wgInterface.Name(), n)
-		errStop := peerEngine.mgmClient.Close()
-		if errStop != nil {
-			log.Infoln("got error trying to close management clients from engine: ", errStop)
-		}
-		errStop = peerEngine.Stop()
-		if errStop != nil {
-			log.Infoln("got error trying to close testing peers engine: ", errStop)
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 func Test_ParseNATExternalIPMappings(t *testing.T) {
 	ifaceList, err := net.Interfaces()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1526,187 +1168,6 @@ func TestCompareNetIPLists(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func createEngine(ctx context.Context, cancel context.CancelFunc, setupKey string, i int, mgmtAddr string, signalAddr string) (*Engine, error) {
-	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	mgmtClient, err := mgmt.NewClient(ctx, mgmtAddr, key, false)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	signalClient, err := signal.NewClient(ctx, signalAddr, key, false)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	info := system.GetInfo(ctx)
-	resp, err := mgmtClient.Register(setupKey, "", info, nil, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	var ifaceName string
-	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
-		ifaceName = fmt.Sprintf("utun1%d", i)
-	} else {
-		ifaceName = fmt.Sprintf("wt%d", i)
-	}
-
-	wgPort := 33100 + i
-	conf := &EngineConfig{
-		WgIfaceName:  ifaceName,
-		WgAddr:       wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress(resp.PeerConfig.Address),
-		WgPrivateKey: key,
-		WgPort:       wgPort,
-		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-	}
-
-	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	e, err := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, conf, EngineServices{
-		SignalClient:   signalClient,
-		MgmClient:      mgmtClient,
-		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
-		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
-	}, MobileDependency{}), nil
-	e.ctx = ctx
-	return e, err
-}
-
-func startSignal(t *testing.T) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
-
-	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Fatalf("failed to listen: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	srv, err := signalServer.NewServer(context.Background(), otel.Meter(""))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	proto.RegisterSignalExchangeServer(s, srv)
-
-	go func() {
-		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
-			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
-}
-
-func startManagement(t *testing.T, dataDir, testFile string) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	config := &config.Config{
-		Stuns:      []*config.Host{},
-		TURNConfig: &config.TURNConfig{},
-		Relay: &config.Relay{
-			Addresses:      []string{"127.0.0.1:1234"},
-			CredentialsTTL: util.Duration{Duration: time.Hour},
-			Secret:         "222222222222222222",
-		},
-		Signal: &config.Host{
-			Proto: "http",
-			URI:   "localhost:10000",
-		},
-		Datadir:    dataDir,
-		HttpConfig: nil,
-	}
-
-	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
-
-	store, cleanUp, err := store.NewTestStoreFromSQL(context.Background(), testFile, config.Datadir)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	t.Cleanup(cleanUp)
-
-	eventStore := &activity.InMemoryEventStore{}
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-
-	permissionsManager := permissions.NewManager(store)
-	peersManager := peers.NewManager(store, permissionsManager)
-	jobManager := job.NewJobManager(nil, store, peersManager)
-
-	cacheStore, err := nbcache.NewStore(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond, 300*time.Millisecond, 100)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-
-	ia, _ := validator.NewIntegratedValidator(context.Background(), peersManager, nil, eventStore, cacheStore)
-
-	metrics, err := telemetry.NewDefaultAppMetrics(context.Background())
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
-	t.Cleanup(ctrl.Finish)
-	settingsMockManager := settings.NewMockManager(ctrl)
-	settingsMockManager.EXPECT().
-		GetSettings(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
-		Return(&types.Settings{}, nil).
-		AnyTimes()
-	settingsMockManager.EXPECT().
-		GetExtraSettings(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
-		Return(&types.ExtraSettings{}, nil).
-		AnyTimes()
-
-	groupsManager := groups.NewManagerMock()
-
-	updateManager := update_channel.NewPeersUpdateManager(metrics)
-	requestBuffer := server.NewAccountRequestBuffer(context.Background(), store)
-	networkMapController := controller.NewController(context.Background(), store, metrics, updateManager, requestBuffer, server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, settingsMockManager, "netbird.selfhosted", port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), manager.NewEphemeralManager(store, peersManager), config)
-	accountManager, err := server.BuildManager(context.Background(), config, store, networkMapController, jobManager, nil, "", eventStore, nil, false, ia, metrics, port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), settingsMockManager, permissionsManager, false, cacheStore)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-
-	secretsManager, err := nbgrpc.NewTimeBasedAuthSecretsManager(updateManager, config.TURNConfig, config.Relay, settingsMockManager, groupsManager)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	mgmtServer, err := nbgrpc.NewServer(config, accountManager, settingsMockManager, jobManager, secretsManager, nil, nil, &server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, networkMapController, nil, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	mgmtProto.RegisterManagementServiceServer(s, mgmtServer)
-	go func() {
-		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
-			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
-}
-
-// getConnectedPeers returns a connection Status or nil if peer connection wasn't found
-func getConnectedPeers(e *Engine) int {
-	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
-	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
-	i := 0
-	for _, id := range e.peerStore.PeersPubKey() {
-		conn, _ := e.peerStore.PeerConn(id)
-		if conn.IsConnected() {
-			i++
-		}
-	}
-	return i
-}
-
-func getPeers(e *Engine) int {
-	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
-	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
-
-	return len(e.peerStore.PeersPubKey())
-}
-
 func mustEncodePrefix(t *testing.T, p netip.Prefix) []byte {
 	t.Helper()
 	b, err := netiputil.EncodePrefix(p)

client/internal/lazyconn/activity/listener_bind.go

@@ -119,10 +119,6 @@ func (d *BindListener) ReadPackets() {
 	}
 
 	d.peerCfg.Log.Debugf("removing lazy endpoint for peer %s", d.peerCfg.PublicKey)
-	if err := d.wgIface.RemovePeer(d.peerCfg.PublicKey); err != nil {
-		d.peerCfg.Log.Errorf("failed to remove endpoint: %s", err)
-	}
-
 	_ = d.lazyConn.Close()
 	d.bind.RemoveEndpoint(d.fakeIP)
 	d.done.Done()

client/internal/peer/handshaker.go

@@ -195,14 +195,14 @@ func (h *Handshaker) sendOffer() error {
 	}
 
 	offer := h.buildOfferAnswer()
-	h.log.Infof("sending offer with serial: %s", offer.SessionIDString())
+	h.log.Debugf("sending offer with serial: %s", offer.SessionIDString())
 
 	return h.signaler.SignalOffer(offer, h.config.Key)
 }
 
 func (h *Handshaker) sendAnswer() error {
 	answer := h.buildOfferAnswer()
-	h.log.Infof("sending answer with serial: %s", answer.SessionIDString())
+	h.log.Debugf("sending answer with serial: %s", answer.SessionIDString())
 
 	return h.signaler.SignalAnswer(answer, h.config.Key)
 }

client/internal/peer/status.go

@@ -192,6 +192,7 @@ func (s *StatusChangeSubscription) Events() chan map[string]RouterState {
 // Pure read methods take RLock; anything that mutates state takes Lock.
 type Status struct {
 	mux                   sync.RWMutex
+	muxRelays             sync.RWMutex
 	peers                 map[string]State
 	ipToKey               map[string]string
 	changeNotify          map[string]map[string]*StatusChangeSubscription // map[peerID]map[subscriptionID]*StatusChangeSubscription
@@ -244,8 +245,8 @@ func NewRecorder(mgmAddress string) *Status {
 }
 
 func (d *Status) SetRelayMgr(manager *relayClient.Manager) {
-	d.mux.Lock()
-	defer d.mux.Unlock()
+	d.muxRelays.Lock()
+	defer d.muxRelays.Unlock()
 	d.relayMgr = manager
 }
 
@@ -906,8 +907,8 @@ func (d *Status) MarkSignalConnected() {
 }
 
 func (d *Status) UpdateRelayStates(relayResults []relay.ProbeResult) {
-	d.mux.Lock()
-	defer d.mux.Unlock()
+	d.muxRelays.Lock()
+	defer d.muxRelays.Unlock()
 	d.relayStates = relayResults
 }
 
@@ -1018,21 +1019,26 @@ func (d *Status) GetSignalState() SignalState {
 
 // GetRelayStates returns the stun/turn/permanent relay states
 func (d *Status) GetRelayStates() []relay.ProbeResult {
-	d.mux.RLock()
-	defer d.mux.RUnlock()
+	d.muxRelays.RLock()
 	if d.relayMgr == nil {
-		return d.relayStates
+		defer d.muxRelays.RUnlock()
+		return slices.Clone(d.relayStates)
 	}
 
-	// extend the list of stun, turn servers with relay address
+	relayMgr := d.relayMgr
+	// extend the list of stun, turn servers with the relay server connections
 	relayStates := slices.Clone(d.relayStates)
+	d.muxRelays.RUnlock()
 
-	// if the server connection is not established then we will use the general address
-	// in case of connection we will use the instance specific address
-	instanceAddr, _, err := d.relayMgr.RelayInstanceAddress()
-	if err != nil {
-		// TODO add their status
-		for _, r := range d.relayMgr.ServerURLs() {
+	states := relayMgr.RelayStates()
+	if len(states) == 0 {
+		// no relay connection tracked yet; surface configured servers as
+		// unavailable with the real reconnect error when known
+		err := relayClient.ErrRelayClientNotConnected
+		if connErr := relayMgr.RelayConnectError(); connErr != nil {
+			err = connErr
+		}
+		for _, r := range relayMgr.ServerURLs() {
 			relayStates = append(relayStates, relay.ProbeResult{
 				URI: r,
 				Err: err,
@@ -1041,10 +1047,14 @@ func (d *Status) GetRelayStates() []relay.ProbeResult {
 		return relayStates
 	}
 
-	relayState := relay.ProbeResult{
-		URI: instanceAddr,
+	for _, rs := range states {
+		relayStates = append(relayStates, relay.ProbeResult{
+			URI:       rs.URL,
+			Err:       rs.Err,
+			Transport: rs.Transport,
+		})
 	}
-	return append(relayStates, relayState)
+	return relayStates
 }
 
 func (d *Status) ForwardingRules() []firewall.ForwardRule {
@@ -1414,6 +1424,7 @@ func (fs FullStatus) ToProto() *proto.FullStatus {
 		pbRelayState := &proto.RelayState{
 			URI:       relayState.URI,
 			Available: relayState.Err == nil,
+			Transport: relayState.Transport,
 		}
 		if err := relayState.Err; err != nil {
 			pbRelayState.Error = err.Error()

client/internal/peer/worker_ice.go

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
-	"net/netip"
 	"strconv"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
@@ -165,10 +164,6 @@ func (w *WorkerICE) OnRemoteCandidate(candidate ice.Candidate, haRoutes route.HA
 		return
 	}
 
-	if candidateViaRoutes(candidate, haRoutes) {
-		return
-	}
-
 	if err := w.agent.AddRemoteCandidate(candidate); err != nil {
 		w.log.Errorf("error while handling remote candidate")
 		return
@@ -589,34 +584,6 @@ func extraSrflxCandidate(candidate ice.Candidate) (*ice.CandidateServerReflexive
 	return ec, nil
 }
 
-func candidateViaRoutes(candidate ice.Candidate, clientRoutes route.HAMap) bool {
-	addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(candidate.Address())
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("Failed to parse IP address %s: %v", candidate.Address(), err)
-		return false
-	}
-
-	var routePrefixes []netip.Prefix
-	for _, routes := range clientRoutes {
-		if len(routes) > 0 && routes[0] != nil {
-			routePrefixes = append(routePrefixes, routes[0].Network)
-		}
-	}
-
-	for _, prefix := range routePrefixes {
-		// default route is handled by route exclusion / ip rules
-		if prefix.Bits() == 0 {
-			continue
-		}
-
-		if prefix.Contains(addr) {
-			log.Debugf("Ignoring candidate [%s], its address is part of routed network %s", candidate.String(), prefix)
-			return true
-		}
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
 func isRelayCandidate(candidate ice.Candidate) bool {
 	return candidate.Type() == ice.CandidateTypeRelay
 }

client/internal/profilemanager/config.go

@@ -110,6 +110,10 @@ type ConfigInput struct {
 
 // Config Configuration type
 type Config struct {
+	// Name is the human-readable profile name shown in CLI/UI listings.
+	// It is independent of the profile's on-disk filename (which is the ID).
+	Name string
+
 	// Wireguard private key of local peer
 	PrivateKey                    string
 	PreSharedKey                  string
@@ -274,6 +278,16 @@ func createNewConfig(input ConfigInput) (*Config, error) {
 }
 
 func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
+	if config.Name != "" {
+		sanitized, err := sanitizeDisplayName(config.Name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return false, fmt.Errorf("invalid profile name: %w", err)
+		}
+		if sanitized != config.Name {
+			config.Name = sanitized
+			updated = true
+		}
+	}
 	if config.ManagementURL == nil {
 		log.Infof("using default Management URL %s", DefaultManagementURL)
 		config.ManagementURL, err = parseURL("Management URL", DefaultManagementURL)
@@ -423,7 +437,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.ServerSSHAllowed != nil && *input.ServerSSHAllowed != *config.ServerSSHAllowed {
+	if input.ServerSSHAllowed != nil && (config.ServerSSHAllowed == nil || *input.ServerSSHAllowed != *config.ServerSSHAllowed) {
 		if *input.ServerSSHAllowed {
 			log.Infof("enabling SSH server")
 		} else {

client/internal/profilemanager/config_test.go

@@ -242,6 +242,35 @@ func TestWireguardPortDefaultVsExplicit(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestUpdateConfigServerSSHAllowedNotSet(t *testing.T) {
+	// Configs written before ServerSSHAllowed was introduced lack the field and
+	// unmarshal to nil. Supplying the SSH server flag on top of such a config must
+	// apply the value instead of panicking on a nil pointer dereference.
+	tests := []struct {
+		name  string
+		input *bool
+		want  bool
+	}{
+		{"enable", util.True(), true},
+		{"disable", util.False(), false},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			configPath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "config.json")
+			require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(configPath, []byte("{}"), 0600))
+
+			config, err := UpdateConfig(ConfigInput{
+				ConfigPath:       configPath,
+				ServerSSHAllowed: tt.input,
+			})
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			require.NotNil(t, config.ServerSSHAllowed, "ServerSSHAllowed should be set from input")
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.want, *config.ServerSSHAllowed)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestUpdateOldManagementURL(t *testing.T) {
 	origProber := newMgmProber
 	newMgmProber = func(_ context.Context, _ string, _ wgtypes.Key, _ bool) (mgmProber, error) {

client/internal/profilemanager/id.go

@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+package profilemanager
+
+import (
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"fmt"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"unicode"
+	"unicode/utf8"
+)
+
+const (
+	// profileIDByteLen is the number of random bytes generated for a new
+	// profile ID. The resulting hex string is twice this length.
+	profileIDByteLen = 16
+
+	// shortIDLen is the number of leading characters of an ID we render in
+	// list output. Profiles per device are few, so 8 chars is collision-safe
+	// in practice and easy to type as a prefix.
+	shortIDLen = 8
+
+	// maxProfileNameLen caps the human-readable profile name to keep table
+	// output legible and prevent denial-of-service via huge JSON fields.
+	maxProfileNameLen = 128
+
+	// maxProfileIDLen bounds the on-disk filename we'll accept. New
+	// IDs are 32 hex chars, legacy stems are sanitized profile names. The
+	// cap is generous enough to cover both without permitting absurdly
+	// long filenames.
+	maxProfileIDLen = 64
+)
+
+type ID string
+
+// generateProfileID returns a new random hex ID for a profile file.
+func generateProfileID() (ID, error) {
+	buf := make([]byte, profileIDByteLen)
+	if _, err := rand.Read(buf); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("read random bytes: %w", err)
+	}
+	return ID(hex.EncodeToString(buf)), nil
+}
+
+// IsValidProfileFilenameStem reports whether id is safe to use as the stem
+// of a profile JSON filename.
+func IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id ID) bool {
+	s := id.String()
+	if s == "" || len(s) > maxProfileIDLen {
+		return false
+	}
+	if s == defaultProfileName {
+		return true
+	}
+	if strings.ContainsAny(s, `/\`) || strings.Contains(s, "..") {
+		return false
+	}
+	// filepath.Base catches any leftover separators on platforms with
+	// exotic path conventions.
+	if filepath.Base(s) != s {
+		return false
+	}
+	for _, r := range s {
+		if !(unicode.IsLetter(r) || unicode.IsDigit(r) || r == '_' || r == '-') {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+// sanitizeDisplayName normalizes a user-supplied profile display name for
+// storage. It strips ASCII control characters, rejects invalid UTF-8, and
+// caps the length. Emojis, spaces, punctuation, and non-ASCII letters are
+// preserved. Returns an error if nothing usable remains.
+func sanitizeDisplayName(name string) (string, error) {
+	if !utf8.ValidString(name) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("name is not valid UTF-8")
+	}
+	name = StripCtrlChars(name)
+	name = strings.TrimSpace(name)
+	if name == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("name is empty after sanitization")
+	}
+	if utf8.RuneCountInString(name) > maxProfileNameLen {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("name exceeds %d characters", maxProfileNameLen)
+	}
+	return name, nil
+}
+
+// StripCtrlChars control characters from a name before printing it.
+func StripCtrlChars(name string) string {
+	var b strings.Builder
+	b.Grow(len(name))
+	for _, r := range name {
+		// Skip C0 controls and DEL, plus C1 controls (0x80–0x9F).
+		if r < 0x20 || r == 0x7F || (r >= 0x80 && r <= 0x9F) {
+			continue
+		}
+		b.WriteRune(r)
+	}
+	return b.String()
+}
+
+// ShortID truncates an ID for display.
+func (id ID) ShortID() string {
+	if id == DefaultProfileName {
+		return DefaultProfileName
+	}
+	runes := []rune(id)
+	if len(runes) <= shortIDLen {
+		return id.String()
+	}
+	return string(runes[:shortIDLen])
+}
+
+func (id ID) String() string {
+	return string(id)
+}

client/internal/profilemanager/profilemanager.go

@@ -19,19 +19,41 @@ const (
 )
 
 type Profile struct {
-	Name     string
+	// ID is the on-disk filename stem (without .json). For new profiles
+	// it is a 32-char hex string; legacy profiles created before the
+	// ID-keyed layout keep their original name as their ID. The reserved
+	// value "default" identifies the special default profile.
+	ID ID
+	// Name is the human-readable display name. Falls back to ID when the
+	// underlying JSON has no "name" field set.
+	Name string
+	// Path is the absolute path to the profile JSON. Populated by the
+	// loader so callers do not have to reconstruct it from ID + dir.
+	Path     string
 	IsActive bool
 }
 
 func (p *Profile) FilePath() (string, error) {
-	if p.Name == "" {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("active profile name is empty")
+	if p.Path != "" {
+		return p.Path, nil
 	}
 
-	if p.Name == defaultProfileName {
+	id := p.ID
+	if id == "" {
+		id = ID(p.Name)
+	}
+	if id == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("profile ID is empty")
+	}
+
+	if id == defaultProfileName {
 		return DefaultConfigPath, nil
 	}
 
+	if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", id)
+	}
+
 	username, err := user.Current()
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get current user: %w", err)
@@ -42,10 +64,13 @@ func (p *Profile) FilePath() (string, error) {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory for user %s: %w", username.Username, err)
 	}
 
-	return filepath.Join(configDir, p.Name+".json"), nil
+	return filepath.Join(configDir, id.String()+".json"), nil
 }
 
 func (p *Profile) IsDefault() bool {
+	if p.ID != "" {
+		return p.ID == defaultProfileName
+	}
 	return p.Name == defaultProfileName
 }
 
@@ -57,18 +82,24 @@ func NewProfileManager() *ProfileManager {
 	return &ProfileManager{}
 }
 
+// GetActiveProfile returns the active profile as recorded in the local
+// user state file. Only ID is populated.
 func (pm *ProfileManager) GetActiveProfile() (*Profile, error) {
 	pm.mu.Lock()
 	defer pm.mu.Unlock()
 
-	prof := pm.getActiveProfileState()
-	return &Profile{Name: prof}, nil
+	id := pm.getActiveProfileState()
+	return &Profile{ID: id}, nil
 }
 
-func (pm *ProfileManager) SwitchProfile(profileName string) error {
-	profileName = sanitizeProfileName(profileName)
+// SwitchProfile records the given profile ID as active in the local user
+// state file.
+func (pm *ProfileManager) SwitchProfile(id ID) error {
+	if id != defaultProfileName && !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", id)
+	}
 
-	if err := pm.setActiveProfileState(profileName); err != nil {
+	if err := pm.setActiveProfileState(id); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to switch profile: %w", err)
 	}
 	return nil
@@ -85,7 +116,7 @@ func sanitizeProfileName(name string) string {
 	}, name)
 }
 
-func (pm *ProfileManager) getActiveProfileState() string {
+func (pm *ProfileManager) getActiveProfileState() ID {
 
 	configDir, err := getConfigDir()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -113,10 +144,10 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) getActiveProfileState() string {
 		return defaultProfileName
 	}
 
-	return profileName
+	return ID(profileName)
 }
 
-func (pm *ProfileManager) setActiveProfileState(profileName string) error {
+func (pm *ProfileManager) setActiveProfileState(id ID) error {
 
 	configDir, err := getConfigDir()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -125,7 +156,7 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) setActiveProfileState(profileName string) error {
 
 	statePath := filepath.Join(configDir, activeProfileStateFilename)
 
-	err = os.WriteFile(statePath, []byte(profileName), 0600)
+	err = os.WriteFile(statePath, []byte(id), 0600)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write active profile state: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -142,7 +173,7 @@ func GetLoginHint() string {
 		return ""
 	}
 
-	profileState, err := pm.GetProfileState(activeProf.Name)
+	profileState, err := pm.GetProfileState(activeProf.ID)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Debugf("failed to get profile state for login hint: %v", err)
 		return ""

client/internal/profilemanager/profilemanager_test.go

@@ -50,14 +50,14 @@ func TestServiceManager_CreateAndGetDefaultProfile(t *testing.T) {
 
 			state, err := sm.GetActiveProfileState()
 			assert.NoError(t, err)
-			assert.Equal(t, state.Name, defaultProfileName) // No active profile state yet
+			assert.Equal(t, defaultProfileName, state.ID.String()) // No active profile state yet
 
 			err = sm.SetActiveProfileStateToDefault()
 			assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 			active, err := sm.GetActiveProfileState()
 			assert.NoError(t, err)
-			assert.Equal(t, "default", active.Name)
+			assert.Equal(t, "default", active.ID.String())
 		})
 	})
 }
@@ -92,14 +92,14 @@ func TestServiceManager_SetActiveProfileState(t *testing.T) {
 			currUser, err := user.Current()
 			assert.NoError(t, err)
 			sm := &ServiceManager{}
-			state := &ActiveProfileState{Name: "foo", Username: currUser.Username}
+			state := &ActiveProfileState{ID: "foo", Username: currUser.Username}
 			err = sm.SetActiveProfileState(state)
 			assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 			// Should error on nil or incomplete state
 			err = sm.SetActiveProfileState(nil)
 			assert.Error(t, err)
-			err = sm.SetActiveProfileState(&ActiveProfileState{Name: "", Username: ""})
+			err = sm.SetActiveProfileState(&ActiveProfileState{ID: "", Username: ""})
 			assert.Error(t, err)
 		})
 	})

client/internal/profilemanager/service.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package profilemanager
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
@@ -23,12 +24,43 @@ var (
 	DefaultConfigPathDir   = ""
 	DefaultConfigPath      = ""
 	ActiveProfileStatePath = ""
-)
 
-var (
 	ErrorOldDefaultConfigNotFound = errors.New("old default config not found")
 )
 
+// ErrAmbiguousHandle is returned when a profile handle (ID prefix or name)
+// matches more than one profile. Callers can render Candidates to help the
+// user disambiguate.
+type ErrAmbiguousHandle struct {
+	Handle     string
+	Candidates []Profile
+	Kind       AmbiguityKind
+}
+
+// AmbiguityKind describes which matcher produced the ambiguity, so callers
+// can tailor the error message.
+type AmbiguityKind int
+
+const (
+	AmbiguityKindIDPrefix AmbiguityKind = iota
+	AmbiguityKindName
+)
+
+// profileMeta is the minimal slice of a profile JSON we need, so we avoid
+// reading all fields
+type profileMeta struct {
+	Name string
+}
+
+func (e *ErrAmbiguousHandle) Error() string {
+	switch e.Kind {
+	case AmbiguityKindIDPrefix:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("ID prefix %q is ambiguous (matches %d profiles)", e.Handle, len(e.Candidates))
+	default:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("name %q is ambiguous (%d profiles share this name)", e.Handle, len(e.Candidates))
+	}
+}
+
 func init() {
 
 	DefaultConfigPathDir = "/var/lib/netbird/"
@@ -54,25 +86,34 @@ func init() {
 }
 
 type ActiveProfileState struct {
-	Name     string `json:"name"`
+	// ID is the on-disk filename stem of the active profile. The JSON tag stays
+	// as "name" for backwards compatibility with active state files written
+	// before the ID-based config files. Legacy values were profile names, which
+	// were also the legacy filename stems, so they still resolve to the correct
+	// file on disk.
+	ID       ID     `json:"name"`
 	Username string `json:"username"`
 }
 
 func (a *ActiveProfileState) FilePath() (string, error) {
-	if a.Name == "" {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("active profile name is empty")
+	if a.ID == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("active profile ID is empty")
 	}
 
-	if a.Name == defaultProfileName {
+	if a.ID == defaultProfileName {
 		return DefaultConfigPath, nil
 	}
 
+	if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(a.ID) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", a.ID)
+	}
+
 	configDir, err := getConfigDirForUser(a.Username)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory for user %s: %w", a.Username, err)
 	}
 
-	return filepath.Join(configDir, a.Name+".json"), nil
+	return filepath.Join(configDir, a.ID.String()+".json"), nil
 }
 
 type ServiceManager struct {
@@ -178,7 +219,7 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) GetActiveProfileState() (*ActiveProfileState, error) {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to set active profile to default: %w", err)
 			}
 			return &ActiveProfileState{
-				Name:     "default",
+				ID:       defaultProfileName,
 				Username: "",
 			}, nil
 		} else {
@@ -186,12 +227,12 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) GetActiveProfileState() (*ActiveProfileState, error) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	if activeProfile.Name == "" {
+	if activeProfile.ID == "" {
 		if err := s.SetActiveProfileStateToDefault(); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to set active profile to default: %w", err)
 		}
 		return &ActiveProfileState{
-			Name:     "default",
+			ID:       defaultProfileName,
 			Username: "",
 		}, nil
 	}
@@ -216,25 +257,29 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) setDefaultActiveState() error {
 }
 
 func (s *ServiceManager) SetActiveProfileState(a *ActiveProfileState) error {
-	if a == nil || a.Name == "" {
+	if a == nil || a.ID == "" {
 		return errors.New("invalid active profile state")
 	}
 
-	if a.Name != defaultProfileName && a.Username == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("username must be set for non-default profiles, got: %s", a.Name)
+	if a.ID != defaultProfileName && a.Username == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("username must be set for non-default profiles, got: %s", a.ID)
+	}
+
+	if a.ID != defaultProfileName && !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(a.ID) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", a.ID)
 	}
 
 	if err := util.WriteJsonWithRestrictedPermission(context.Background(), ActiveProfileStatePath, a); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write active profile state: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("active profile set to %s for %s", a.Name, a.Username)
+	log.Infof("active profile set to %s for %s", a.ID, a.Username)
 	return nil
 }
 
 func (s *ServiceManager) SetActiveProfileStateToDefault() error {
 	return s.SetActiveProfileState(&ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     "default",
+		ID:       defaultProfileName,
 		Username: "",
 	})
 }
@@ -243,57 +288,117 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) DefaultProfilePath() string {
 	return DefaultConfigPath
 }
 
-func (s *ServiceManager) AddProfile(profileName, username string) error {
+// AddProfile creates a new profile with a generated ID. The user-supplied
+// displayName is stored inside the JSON's name field, the on-disk filename
+// uses the generated ID.
+//
+// The returned Profile carries the freshly-generated ID so callers can
+// show it to the user (and so the gRPC AddProfileResponse can include
+// it).
+func (s *ServiceManager) AddProfile(displayName, username string) (*Profile, error) {
 	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(username)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	profileName = sanitizeProfileName(profileName)
-
-	if profileName == defaultProfileName {
-		return fmt.Errorf("cannot create profile with reserved name: %s", defaultProfileName)
-	}
-
-	profPath := filepath.Join(configDir, profileName+".json")
-	profileExists, err := fileExists(profPath)
+	displayName, err = sanitizeDisplayName(displayName)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to check if profile exists: %w", err)
-	}
-	if profileExists {
-		return ErrProfileAlreadyExists
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid profile name: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	id, err := generateProfileID()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("generate profile id: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	profPath := filepath.Join(configDir, id.String()+".json")
 	cfg, err := createNewConfig(ConfigInput{ConfigPath: profPath})
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create new config: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create new config: %w", err)
+	}
+	cfg.Name = displayName
+
+	if err := util.WriteJson(context.Background(), profPath, cfg); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to write profile config: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	err = util.WriteJson(context.Background(), profPath, cfg)
+	return &Profile{
+		ID:   id,
+		Name: displayName,
+		Path: profPath,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func (s *ServiceManager) RenameProfile(id ID, username string, newName string) error {
+	displayName, err := sanitizeDisplayName(newName)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write profile config: %w", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid profile name: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", id)
+	}
+
+	profiles, err := s.loadAllProfiles(username)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("load profiles: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var target *Profile
+	for i := range profiles {
+		if profiles[i].ID == id {
+			target = &profiles[i]
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if target == nil {
+		return ErrProfileNotFound
+	}
+
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(target.Path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	var cfg Config
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &cfg); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	cfg.Name = displayName
+
+	if err := util.WriteJson(context.Background(), target.Path, cfg); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write profile name: %w", err)
+	}
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *ServiceManager) RemoveProfile(profileName, username string) error {
-	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(username)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory: %w", err)
+// RemoveProfile deletes the profile identified by id. Callers must have
+// already resolved any user-supplied handle to a concrete ID via
+// ResolveProfile.
+func (s *ServiceManager) RemoveProfile(id ID, username string) error {
+	if id == defaultProfileName {
+		defaultName := readProfileName(DefaultConfigPath)
+		if defaultName == "" {
+			defaultName = defaultProfileName
+		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot remove default profile with name: %s", defaultName)
+	}
+	if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", id)
 	}
 
-	profileName = sanitizeProfileName(profileName)
-
-	if profileName == defaultProfileName {
-		return fmt.Errorf("cannot remove profile with reserved name: %s", defaultProfileName)
-	}
-	profPath := filepath.Join(configDir, profileName+".json")
-	profileExists, err := fileExists(profPath)
+	profiles, err := s.loadAllProfiles(username)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to check if profile exists: %w", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("load profiles: %w", err)
 	}
-	if !profileExists {
+
+	var target *Profile
+	for i := range profiles {
+		if profiles[i].ID == id {
+			target = &profiles[i]
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if target == nil {
 		return ErrProfileNotFound
 	}
 
@@ -301,57 +406,26 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) RemoveProfile(profileName, username string) error {
 	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, ErrNoActiveProfile) {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile: %w", err)
 	}
-
-	if activeProf != nil && activeProf.Name == profileName {
-		return fmt.Errorf("cannot remove active profile: %s", profileName)
+	if activeProf != nil && activeProf.ID == id {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot remove active profile: %s", id)
 	}
 
-	err = util.RemoveJson(profPath)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := util.RemoveJson(target.Path); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to remove profile config: %w", err)
 	}
+
+	stateFile := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(target.Path), id.String()+".state.json")
+	if err := os.Remove(stateFile); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		log.Warnf("failed to remove profile state file %s: %v", stateFile, err)
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 
+// ListProfiles returns every profile for the given user, including the
+// default profile, with IsActive flags set.
 func (s *ServiceManager) ListProfiles(username string) ([]Profile, error) {
-	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(username)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	files, err := util.ListFiles(configDir, "*.json")
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to list profile files: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	var filtered []string
-	for _, file := range files {
-		if strings.HasSuffix(file, "state.json") {
-			continue // skip state files
-		}
-		filtered = append(filtered, file)
-	}
-	sort.Strings(filtered)
-
-	var activeProfName string
-	activeProf, err := s.GetActiveProfileState()
-	if err == nil {
-		activeProfName = activeProf.Name
-	}
-
-	var profiles []Profile
-	// add default profile always
-	profiles = append(profiles, Profile{Name: defaultProfileName, IsActive: activeProfName == "" || activeProfName == defaultProfileName})
-	for _, file := range filtered {
-		profileName := strings.TrimSuffix(filepath.Base(file), ".json")
-		var isActive bool
-		if activeProfName != "" && activeProfName == profileName {
-			isActive = true
-		}
-		profiles = append(profiles, Profile{Name: profileName, IsActive: isActive})
-	}
-
-	return profiles, nil
+	return s.loadAllProfiles(username)
 }
 
 // GetStatePath returns the path to the state file based on the operating system
@@ -369,7 +443,12 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) GetStatePath() string {
 		return defaultStatePath
 	}
 
-	if activeProf.Name == defaultProfileName {
+	if activeProf.ID == defaultProfileName {
+		return defaultStatePath
+	}
+
+	if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(activeProf.ID) {
+		log.Warnf("invalid active profile ID %q, using default state path", activeProf.ID)
 		return defaultStatePath
 	}
 
@@ -379,7 +458,7 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) GetStatePath() string {
 		return defaultStatePath
 	}
 
-	return filepath.Join(configDir, activeProf.Name+".state.json")
+	return filepath.Join(configDir, activeProf.ID.String()+".state.json")
 }
 
 // getConfigDir returns the profiles directory, using profilesDir if set, otherwise getConfigDirForUser
@@ -390,3 +469,169 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) getConfigDir(username string) (string, error) {
 
 	return getConfigDirForUser(username)
 }
+
+// loadAllProfiles returns every profile visible to the daemon for the
+// given user, including the default profile. The returned slice is sorted
+// by ID for a stable display order.
+//
+// Each Profile is fully populated: ID is the filename stem, Name comes
+// from the JSON's "name" field (falling back to the filename stem when absent)
+// and Path is built from a basename read off disk.
+func (s *ServiceManager) loadAllProfiles(username string) ([]Profile, error) {
+	activeID, activeIsDefault := s.activeProfileID()
+	defaultName := readProfileName(DefaultConfigPath)
+	if defaultName == "" {
+		defaultName = defaultProfileName
+	}
+
+	profiles := []Profile{{
+		ID:       defaultProfileName,
+		Name:     defaultName,
+		Path:     DefaultConfigPath,
+		IsActive: activeIsDefault,
+	}}
+
+	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(username)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get config directory: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(configDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+			return profiles, nil
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("read profile directory: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var fileProfiles []Profile
+	for _, entry := range entries {
+		if entry.IsDir() {
+			continue
+		}
+		base := entry.Name()
+		if !strings.HasSuffix(base, ".json") {
+			continue
+		}
+		if strings.HasSuffix(base, ".state.json") {
+			continue
+		}
+		stem := ID(strings.TrimSuffix(base, ".json"))
+		if stem == defaultProfileName {
+			// default lives at the top-level config dir, not under /<user>
+			continue
+		}
+		if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(ID(stem)) {
+			continue
+		}
+		path := filepath.Join(configDir, base)
+		name := readProfileName(path)
+		if name == "" {
+			name = stem.String()
+		}
+		fileProfiles = append(fileProfiles, Profile{
+			ID:       stem,
+			Name:     name,
+			Path:     path,
+			IsActive: stem == ID(activeID),
+		})
+	}
+
+	sort.Slice(fileProfiles, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if fileProfiles[i].Name != fileProfiles[j].Name {
+			return fileProfiles[i].Name < fileProfiles[j].Name
+		}
+		// Sort tie-break on ID so duplicate names always render in the same order.
+		return fileProfiles[i].ID < fileProfiles[j].ID
+	})
+	profiles = append(profiles, fileProfiles...)
+	return profiles, nil
+}
+
+// readProfileName parses just the "name" field from the profile Json.
+func readProfileName(path string) string {
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	var meta profileMeta
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &meta); err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return meta.Name
+}
+
+// activeProfileID returns the currently-active profile's ID. The second
+// return value is true when the active profile is the default one.
+func (s *ServiceManager) activeProfileID() (ID, bool) {
+	state, err := s.GetActiveProfileState()
+	if err != nil || state == nil {
+		return defaultProfileName, true
+	}
+	if state.ID == "" || state.ID == defaultProfileName {
+		return defaultProfileName, true
+	}
+	return state.ID, false
+}
+
+// ResolveProfile turns a user-supplied handle into a Profile. Resolution
+// precedence is: exact ID match, then unique exact name, then unique ID
+// prefix. Ambiguous matches return *ErrAmbiguousHandle so callers can
+// surface the candidates.
+func (s *ServiceManager) ResolveProfile(handle, username string) (*Profile, error) {
+	if handle == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("profile handle is empty")
+	}
+
+	profiles, err := s.loadAllProfiles(username)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	for i := range profiles {
+		if profiles[i].ID == ID(handle) {
+			return &profiles[i], nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	var nameMatches []Profile
+	for i := range profiles {
+		if profiles[i].Name == handle {
+			nameMatches = append(nameMatches, profiles[i])
+		}
+	}
+	if len(nameMatches) == 1 {
+		return &nameMatches[0], nil
+	}
+	if len(nameMatches) > 1 {
+		return nil, &ErrAmbiguousHandle{
+			Handle:     handle,
+			Candidates: nameMatches,
+			Kind:       AmbiguityKindName,
+		}
+	}
+
+	// ID prefix match. Skip the default profile so `select d` does not
+	// accidentally pick it via prefix.
+	var prefixMatches []Profile
+	for i := range profiles {
+		if profiles[i].ID == defaultProfileName {
+			continue
+		}
+		if strings.HasPrefix(profiles[i].ID.String(), handle) {
+			prefixMatches = append(prefixMatches, profiles[i])
+		}
+	}
+	if len(prefixMatches) == 1 {
+		return &prefixMatches[0], nil
+	}
+	if len(prefixMatches) > 1 {
+		return nil, &ErrAmbiguousHandle{
+			Handle:     handle,
+			Candidates: prefixMatches,
+			Kind:       AmbiguityKindIDPrefix,
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil, ErrProfileNotFound
+}

client/internal/profilemanager/service_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,230 @@
+package profilemanager
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"os/user"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
+)
+
+// withTestSM wires up patched globals + a clean config dir and returns a
+// fully initialized ServiceManager plus the username we are scoped to.
+func withTestSM(t *testing.T, fn func(sm *ServiceManager, username string)) {
+	t.Helper()
+	withTempConfigDir(t, func(configDir string) {
+		withPatchedGlobals(t, configDir, func() {
+			u, err := user.Current()
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			sm := &ServiceManager{}
+			require.NoError(t, sm.CreateDefaultProfile())
+			fn(sm, u.Username)
+		})
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_ExactID(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		created, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		got, err := sm.ResolveProfile(created.ID.String(), username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, created.ID, got.ID)
+		assert.Equal(t, "work", got.Name)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_IDPrefix(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		created, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		prefix := created.ID[:4]
+		got, err := sm.ResolveProfile(prefix.String(), username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, created.ID, got.ID)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_AmbiguousPrefix(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		// Plant two profiles whose IDs share a known prefix by writing
+		// the files directly, since generated IDs are random.
+		configDir, err := sm.getConfigDir(username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		for _, id := range []string{"abcd1111aaaa", "abcd2222bbbb"} {
+			path := filepath.Join(configDir, id+".json")
+			require.NoError(t, util.WriteJson(context.Background(), path, &Config{Name: id}))
+		}
+
+		_, err = sm.ResolveProfile("abcd", username)
+		var amb *ErrAmbiguousHandle
+		require.ErrorAs(t, err, &amb)
+		assert.Equal(t, AmbiguityKindIDPrefix, amb.Kind)
+		assert.Len(t, amb.Candidates, 2)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_ExactNameUnique(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		_, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		got, err := sm.ResolveProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, "work", got.Name)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_AmbiguousName(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		_, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		_, err = sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		_, err = sm.ResolveProfile("work", username)
+		var amb *ErrAmbiguousHandle
+		require.ErrorAs(t, err, &amb)
+		assert.Equal(t, AmbiguityKindName, amb.Kind)
+		assert.Len(t, amb.Candidates, 2)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_NotFound(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		_, err := sm.ResolveProfile("nope", username)
+		assert.ErrorIs(t, err, ErrProfileNotFound)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_DefaultByExactID(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		got, err := sm.ResolveProfile(defaultProfileName, username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, defaultProfileName, got.ID.String())
+	})
+}
+
+func TestServiceProfile_LegacyFilenameCoexists(t *testing.T) {
+	// Legacy profiles stored as <name>.json with no "name" JSON field
+	// should still be discoverable by name and removable by name.
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		configDir, err := sm.getConfigDir(username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		path := filepath.Join(configDir, "legacy.json")
+		require.NoError(t, util.WriteJson(context.Background(), path, &Config{}))
+
+		got, err := sm.ResolveProfile("legacy", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, "legacy", got.ID.String())
+		// Name falls back to the filename stem when JSON omits it.
+		assert.Equal(t, "legacy", got.Name)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestAddProfile_AllowsDuplicateWithFlag(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		first, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		second, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.NotEqual(t, first.ID, second.ID)
+		assert.Equal(t, "work", second.Name)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestAddProfile_RejectsInvalidNames(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		cases := []string{
+			"",                                       // empty
+			"\x00\x01",                               // only control chars (becomes empty)
+			strings.Repeat("a", maxProfileNameLen+1), // too long
+		}
+		for _, name := range cases {
+			_, err := sm.AddProfile(name, username)
+			assert.Error(t, err, "expected error for %q", name)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestRemoveProfile_RejectsInvalidID(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		err := sm.RemoveProfile("../escape", username)
+		assert.Error(t, err)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestSanitizeDisplayName(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		in      string
+		want    string
+		wantErr bool
+	}{
+		{"work", "work", false},
+		{"My Work Account", "My Work Account", false},
+		{"emoji 🚀 ok", "emoji 🚀 ok", false},
+		{"漢字テスト", "漢字テスト", false},
+		{"with\x00null", "withnull", false},
+		{"\x01\x02\x03", "", true},
+		{"", "", true},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		got, err := sanitizeDisplayName(tc.in)
+		if tc.wantErr {
+			assert.Error(t, err, "case %q", tc.in)
+			continue
+		}
+		assert.NoError(t, err, "case %q", tc.in)
+		assert.Equal(t, tc.want, got, "case %q", tc.in)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestIsValidProfileFilenameStem(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		in   string
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{"default", true},
+		{"abc123def456", true},
+		{"legacy-name", true},
+		{"legacy_name", true},
+		{"", false},
+		{"..", false},
+		{"../etc", false},
+		{"foo/bar", false},
+		{`foo\bar`, false},
+		{"with space", false},
+		{"with.dot", false},
+		{strings.Repeat("a", maxProfileIDLen+1), false},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		got := IsValidProfileFilenameStem(ID(tc.in))
+		assert.Equal(t, tc.want, got, "case %q", tc.in)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRemoveProfile_DeletesStateFile(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		created, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		configDir, err := sm.getConfigDir(username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		statePath := filepath.Join(configDir, created.ID.String()+".state.json")
+		require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(statePath, []byte(`{"email":"a@b"}`), 0600))
+
+		require.NoError(t, sm.RemoveProfile(created.ID, username))
+		_, err = os.Stat(statePath)
+		assert.True(t, errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist), "state file should be removed")
+	})
+}

client/internal/profilemanager/state.go

@@ -13,13 +13,20 @@ type ProfileState struct {
 	Email string `json:"email"`
 }
 
-func (pm *ProfileManager) GetProfileState(profileName string) (*ProfileState, error) {
+// GetProfileState reads the per-profile state file keyed by profile ID.
+// The state file lives in the user's config directory. Legacy state files
+// keyed by the old profile name remain readable.
+func (pm *ProfileManager) GetProfileState(id ID) (*ProfileState, error) {
 	configDir, err := getConfigDir()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get config directory: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	stateFile := filepath.Join(configDir, profileName+".state.json")
+	if id != defaultProfileName && !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", id)
+	}
+
+	stateFile := filepath.Join(configDir, id.String()+".state.json")
 	stateFileExists, err := fileExists(stateFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to check if profile state file exists: %w", err)
@@ -51,7 +58,12 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) SetActiveProfileState(state *ProfileState) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("get active profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	stateFile := filepath.Join(configDir, activeProf.Name+".state.json")
+	id := activeProf.ID
+	if id != defaultProfileName && !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid active profile ID: %q", id)
+	}
+
+	stateFile := filepath.Join(configDir, id.String()+".state.json")
 	err = util.WriteJsonWithRestrictedPermission(context.Background(), stateFile, state)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("write profile state: %w", err)

client/internal/relay/relay.go

@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ type ProbeResult struct {
 	URI  string
 	Err  error
 	Addr string
+	// Transport is the negotiated relay transport, empty
+	// for stun/turn probes or when not connected.
+	Transport string
 }
 
 type StunTurnProbe struct {

client/internal/rosenpass/manager_test.go

@@ -22,14 +22,14 @@ type removePeerCall struct {
 }
 
 type mockServer struct {
-	mu         sync.Mutex
-	addCalls   []addPeerCall
-	removed    []removePeerCall
-	nextID     rp.PeerID
-	addErr     error
-	removeErr  error
-	closed     bool
-	ran        bool
+	mu        sync.Mutex
+	addCalls  []addPeerCall
+	removed   []removePeerCall
+	nextID    rp.PeerID
+	addErr    error
+	removeErr error
+	closed    bool
+	ran       bool
 }
 
 func (m *mockServer) AddPeer(cfg rp.PeerConfig) (rp.PeerID, error) {
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func (m *mockServer) RemovePeer(id rp.PeerID) error {
 	return m.removeErr
 }
 
-func (m *mockServer) Run() error  { m.ran = true; return nil }
+func (m *mockServer) Run() error   { m.ran = true; return nil }
 func (m *mockServer) Close() error { m.closed = true; return nil }
 
 type setPSKCall struct {

client/internal/rosenpass/seed_test.go

@@ -41,4 +41,3 @@ func TestDeterministicSeedKey_TooShortKey_ReturnsError(t *testing.T) {
 	_, err = DeterministicSeedKey(long, short)
 	require.Error(t, err)
 }
-

client/internal/routemanager/dnsinterceptor/handler.go

@@ -251,6 +251,14 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 		r.MsgHdr.AuthenticatedData = true
 	}
 
+	// Advertise EDNS0 to the forwarder so it may return an Extended DNS Error
+	// describing why a lookup failed. The OPT is stripped from the reply when
+	// the original client did not request EDNS0.
+	hadEdns := r.IsEdns0() != nil
+	if !hadEdns {
+		r.SetEdns0(dns.DefaultMsgSize, false)
+	}
+
 	upstream := net.JoinHostPort(upstreamIP.String(), strconv.FormatUint(uint64(d.forwarderPort.Load()), 10))
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), dnsTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
@@ -260,6 +268,13 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 		return
 	}
 
+	if ede, ok := resutil.ExtractEDE(reply); ok {
+		resutil.SetMeta(w, "ede", fmt.Sprintf("%d %s", ede.InfoCode, ede.ExtraText))
+	}
+	if !hadEdns {
+		resutil.StripOPT(reply)
+	}
+
 	resutil.SetMeta(w, "peer", peerKey)
 
 	reply.Id = r.Id

client/internal/routemanager/manager.go

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"net/url"
 	"runtime"
 	"slices"
+	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
@@ -332,6 +333,8 @@ func (m *DefaultManager) Stop(stateManager *statemanager.Manager) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	m.notifier.Close()
+
 	m.mux.Lock()
 	defer m.mux.Unlock()
 	m.clientRoutes = nil
@@ -700,6 +703,8 @@ func resolveURLsToIPs(urls []string) []net.IP {
 
 // updateRouteSelectorFromManagement updates the route selector based on the isSelected status from the management server
 func (m *DefaultManager) updateRouteSelectorFromManagement(clientRoutes route.HAMap) {
+	m.mirrorV6ExitPairSelections(clientRoutes)
+
 	// An explicit user "deselect all" must not be overridden by management auto-apply.
 	// Auto-applying an exit node here would call SelectRoutes, which clears the
 	// deselect-all flag and re-enables every route the user turned off.
@@ -716,6 +721,24 @@ func (m *DefaultManager) updateRouteSelectorFromManagement(clientRoutes route.HA
 	m.logExitNodeUpdate(exitNodeInfo)
 }
 
+// mirrorV6ExitPairSelections keeps every synthesized "-v6" exit route's selection
+// consistent with its v4 base. The v4/v6 exit pair is a single toggle, so the v6
+// entry always follows the base: deselecting the v4 exit node also drops its ::/0
+// pair, and any stale (orphaned) explicit selection on the v6 entry is reset. This
+// runs before selection is read so both collectExitNodeInfo and FilterSelectedExitNodes
+// see consistent state, including pairs loaded from persisted selector state.
+func (m *DefaultManager) mirrorV6ExitPairSelections(clientRoutes route.HAMap) {
+	routesByNetID := make(map[route.NetID][]*route.Route, len(clientRoutes))
+	for haID, routes := range clientRoutes {
+		routesByNetID[haID.NetID()] = routes
+	}
+
+	for v6ID := range route.V6ExitMergeSet(routesByNetID) {
+		baseID := route.NetID(strings.TrimSuffix(string(v6ID), route.V6ExitSuffix))
+		m.routeSelector.SyncPairedSelection(baseID, v6ID)
+	}
+}
+
 type exitNodeInfo struct {
 	allIDs               []route.NetID
 	selectedByManagement []route.NetID

client/internal/routemanager/manager_test.go

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
 package routemanager
 
 import (

client/internal/routemanager/manager_v6exit_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+package routemanager
+
+import (
+	"net/netip"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routeselector"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
+)
+
+// TestUpdateRouteSelectorFromManagement_MirrorsV6ExitPair reproduces the bug seen
+// in netbird-engine.log: persisted selector state has the v4 exit node deselected
+// but its synthesized "-v6" pair explicitly selected (orphaned), so the ::/0 route
+// leaked onto the tunnel. The management update must mirror the v4 deselect onto the
+// v6 pair so FilterSelectedExitNodes drops it.
+func TestUpdateRouteSelectorFromManagement_MirrorsV6ExitPair(t *testing.T) {
+	const (
+		v4ID = route.NetID("Exit Node (raspberrypi)")
+		v6ID = route.NetID("Exit Node (raspberrypi)-v6")
+	)
+	all := []route.NetID{v4ID, v6ID}
+
+	rs := routeselector.NewRouteSelector()
+	// Orphan the v6 selection: select the pair, then deselect only the v4 base.
+	require.NoError(t, rs.SelectRoutes([]route.NetID{v4ID, v6ID}, true, all))
+	require.NoError(t, rs.DeselectRoutes([]route.NetID{v4ID}, all))
+	require.True(t, rs.IsSelected(v6ID), "precondition: orphaned v6 selection survives v4 deselect")
+
+	m := &DefaultManager{routeSelector: rs}
+
+	v4Route := &route.Route{NetID: v4ID, Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("0.0.0.0/0")}
+	v6Route := &route.Route{NetID: v6ID, Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("::/0")}
+	clientRoutes := route.HAMap{
+		"Exit Node (raspberrypi)|0.0.0.0/0": {v4Route},
+		"Exit Node (raspberrypi)-v6|::/0":   {v6Route},
+	}
+
+	m.updateRouteSelectorFromManagement(clientRoutes)
+
+	assert.False(t, rs.IsSelected(v6ID), "v6 pair must follow the v4 base deselect after the management update")
+
+	filtered := rs.FilterSelectedExitNodes(clientRoutes)
+	assert.Empty(t, filtered, "deselected v4 exit node must not leak its ::/0 pair onto the tunnel")
+}

client/internal/routemanager/notifier/notifier_android.go

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import (
 type Notifier struct {
 	initialRoutes []*route.Route
 	currentRoutes []*route.Route
-	fakeIPRoutes []*route.Route
+	fakeIPRoutes  []*route.Route
 
 	listener    listener.NetworkChangeListener
 	listenerMux sync.Mutex
@@ -119,3 +119,7 @@ func (n *Notifier) GetInitialRouteRanges() []string {
 	sort.Strings(initialStrings)
 	return initialStrings
 }
+
+func (n *Notifier) Close() {
+	// unused
+}

client/internal/routemanager/notifier/notifier_ios.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 package notifier
 
 import (
+	"container/list"
 	"net/netip"
 	"slices"
 	"sort"
@@ -14,19 +15,26 @@ import (
 )
 
 type Notifier struct {
+	mu              sync.Mutex
+	cond            *sync.Cond
 	currentPrefixes []string
-
-	listener    listener.NetworkChangeListener
-	listenerMux sync.Mutex
+	listener        listener.NetworkChangeListener
+	queue           *list.List
+	closed          bool
 }
 
 func NewNotifier() *Notifier {
-	return &Notifier{}
+	n := &Notifier{
+		queue: list.New(),
+	}
+	n.cond = sync.NewCond(&n.mu)
+	go n.deliverLoop()
+	return n
 }
 
 func (n *Notifier) SetListener(listener listener.NetworkChangeListener) {
-	n.listenerMux.Lock()
-	defer n.listenerMux.Unlock()
+	n.mu.Lock()
+	defer n.mu.Unlock()
 	n.listener = listener
 }
 
@@ -43,32 +51,52 @@ func (n *Notifier) OnNewRoutes(route.HAMap) {
 }
 
 func (n *Notifier) OnNewPrefixes(prefixes []netip.Prefix) {
-	newNets := make([]string, 0)
+	newNets := make([]string, 0, len(prefixes))
 	for _, prefix := range prefixes {
 		newNets = append(newNets, prefix.String())
 	}
 
 	sort.Strings(newNets)
 
+	n.mu.Lock()
 	if slices.Equal(n.currentPrefixes, newNets) {
+		n.mu.Unlock()
 		return
 	}
-
 	n.currentPrefixes = newNets
-	n.notify()
+	routes := strings.Join(n.currentPrefixes, ",")
+	n.queue.PushBack(routes)
+	n.cond.Signal()
+	n.mu.Unlock()
 }
-func (n *Notifier) notify() {
-	n.listenerMux.Lock()
-	defer n.listenerMux.Unlock()
-	if n.listener == nil {
-		return
-	}
 
-	go func(l listener.NetworkChangeListener) {
-		l.OnNetworkChanged(strings.Join(n.currentPrefixes, ","))
-	}(n.listener)
+func (n *Notifier) Close() {
+	n.mu.Lock()
+	n.closed = true
+	n.cond.Signal()
+	n.mu.Unlock()
 }
 
 func (n *Notifier) GetInitialRouteRanges() []string {
 	return nil
 }
+
+func (n *Notifier) deliverLoop() {
+	for {
+		n.mu.Lock()
+		for n.queue.Len() == 0 && !n.closed {
+			n.cond.Wait()
+		}
+		if n.closed && n.queue.Len() == 0 {
+			n.mu.Unlock()
+			return
+		}
+		routes := n.queue.Remove(n.queue.Front()).(string)
+		l := n.listener
+		n.mu.Unlock()
+
+		if l != nil {
+			l.OnNetworkChanged(routes)
+		}
+	}
+}

client/internal/routemanager/notifier/notifier_other.go

@@ -38,3 +38,7 @@ func (n *Notifier) OnNewPrefixes(prefixes []netip.Prefix) {
 func (n *Notifier) GetInitialRouteRanges() []string {
 	return []string{}
 }
+
+func (n *Notifier) Close() {
+	// unused
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/rt_tables_linux_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+//go:build linux && !android
+
+package systemops
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestEntryExists(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	tempFilePath := fmt.Sprintf("%s/rt_tables", tempDir)
+
+	content := []string{
+		"1000 reserved",
+		fmt.Sprintf("%d %s", NetbirdVPNTableID, NetbirdVPNTableName),
+		"9999 other_table",
+	}
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(tempFilePath, []byte(strings.Join(content, "\n")), 0644))
+
+	file, err := os.Open(tempFilePath)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() {
+		assert.NoError(t, file.Close())
+	}()
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name        string
+		id          int
+		shouldExist bool
+		err         error
+	}{
+		{
+			name:        "ExistsWithNetbirdPrefix",
+			id:          7120,
+			shouldExist: true,
+			err:         nil,
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "ExistsWithDifferentName",
+			id:          1000,
+			shouldExist: true,
+			err:         ErrTableIDExists,
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "DoesNotExist",
+			id:          1234,
+			shouldExist: false,
+			err:         nil,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			exists, err := entryExists(file, tc.id)
+			if tc.err != nil {
+				assert.ErrorIs(t, err, tc.err)
+			} else {
+				assert.NoError(t, err)
+			}
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.shouldExist, exists)
+		})
+	}
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_bsd_privileged_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+//go:build (darwin || dragonfly || freebsd || netbsd || openbsd) && privileged
+
+package systemops
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"net/netip"
+	"os/exec"
+	"regexp"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func init() {
+	testCases = append(testCases, []testCase{
+		{
+			name:              "To more specific route without custom dialer via vpn",
+			expectedInterface: expectedVPNint,
+			dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
+			expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("100.64.0.1", 12345, "10.10.0.2", 53),
+		},
+	}...)
+}
+
+func TestConcurrentRoutes(t *testing.T) {
+	baseIP := netip.MustParseAddr("192.0.2.0")
+
+	var intf *net.Interface
+	var nexthop Nexthop
+
+	_, intf = setupDummyInterface(t)
+	nexthop = Nexthop{netip.Addr{}, intf}
+
+	r := New(nil, nil)
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	for i := 0; i < 1024; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(ip netip.Addr) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			prefix := netip.PrefixFrom(ip, 32)
+			if err := r.addToRouteTable(prefix, nexthop); err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("Failed to add route for %s: %v", prefix, err)
+			}
+		}(baseIP)
+		baseIP = baseIP.Next()
+	}
+
+	wg.Wait()
+
+	baseIP = netip.MustParseAddr("192.0.2.0")
+
+	for i := 0; i < 1024; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(ip netip.Addr) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			prefix := netip.PrefixFrom(ip, 32)
+			if err := r.removeFromRouteTable(prefix, nexthop); err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("Failed to remove route for %s: %v", prefix, err)
+			}
+		}(baseIP)
+		baseIP = baseIP.Next()
+	}
+
+	wg.Wait()
+}
+
+func createAndSetupDummyInterface(t *testing.T, intf string, ipAddressCIDR string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
+		err := exec.Command("ifconfig", intf, "alias", ipAddressCIDR).Run()
+		require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to create loopback alias")
+
+		t.Cleanup(func() {
+			err := exec.Command("ifconfig", intf, ipAddressCIDR, "-alias").Run()
+			assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to remove loopback alias")
+		})
+
+		return intf
+	}
+
+	prefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(ipAddressCIDR)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to parse prefix")
+
+	netIntf, err := net.InterfaceByName(intf)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to get interface by name")
+
+	nexthop := Nexthop{netip.Addr{}, netIntf}
+
+	r := New(nil, nil)
+	err = r.addToRouteTable(prefix, nexthop)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to add route to table")
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		err := r.removeFromRouteTable(prefix, nexthop)
+		assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to remove route from table")
+	})
+
+	return intf
+}
+
+func addDummyRoute(t *testing.T, dstCIDR string, gw netip.Addr, _ string) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	var originalNexthop net.IP
+	if dstCIDR == "0.0.0.0/0" {
+		var err error
+		originalNexthop, err = fetchOriginalGateway()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Logf("Failed to fetch original gateway: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		if output, err := exec.Command("route", "delete", "-net", dstCIDR).CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+			t.Logf("Failed to delete route: %v, output: %s", err, output)
+		}
+	}
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		if originalNexthop != nil {
+			err := exec.Command("route", "add", "-net", dstCIDR, originalNexthop.String()).Run()
+			assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to restore original route")
+		}
+	})
+
+	err := exec.Command("route", "add", "-net", dstCIDR, gw.String()).Run()
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to add route")
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		err := exec.Command("route", "delete", "-net", dstCIDR).Run()
+		assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to remove route")
+	})
+}
+
+func fetchOriginalGateway() (net.IP, error) {
+	output, err := exec.Command("route", "-n", "get", "default").CombinedOutput()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	matches := regexp.MustCompile(`gateway: (\S+)`).FindStringSubmatch(string(output))
+	if len(matches) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("gateway not found")
+	}
+
+	return net.ParseIP(matches[1]), nil
+}
+
+// setupDummyInterface creates a dummy tun interface for FreeBSD route testing
+func setupDummyInterface(t *testing.T) (netip.Addr, *net.Interface) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
+		return netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 1, 2}), &net.Interface{Name: "lo0"}
+	}
+
+	output, err := exec.Command("ifconfig", "tun", "create").CombinedOutput()
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to create tun interface: %s", string(output))
+
+	tunName := strings.TrimSpace(string(output))
+
+	output, err = exec.Command("ifconfig", tunName, "192.168.1.1", "netmask", "255.255.0.0", "192.168.1.2", "up").CombinedOutput()
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to configure tun interface: %s", string(output))
+
+	intf, err := net.InterfaceByName(tunName)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to get interface by name")
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		if err := exec.Command("ifconfig", tunName, "destroy").Run(); err != nil {
+			t.Logf("Failed to destroy tun interface %s: %v", tunName, err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	return netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 1, 2}), intf
+}
+
+func setupDummyInterfacesAndRoutes(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	defaultDummy := createAndSetupDummyInterface(t, expectedExternalInt, "192.168.0.1/24")
+	addDummyRoute(t, "0.0.0.0/0", netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 0, 1}), defaultDummy)
+
+	otherDummy := createAndSetupDummyInterface(t, expectedInternalInt, "192.168.1.1/24")
+	addDummyRoute(t, "10.0.0.0/8", netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 1, 1}), otherDummy)
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_bsd_test.go

@@ -3,79 +3,24 @@
 package systemops
 
 import (
-	"fmt"
-	"net"
-	"net/netip"
-	"os/exec"
-	"regexp"
-	"runtime"
-	"strings"
-	"sync"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 	"golang.org/x/net/route"
 )
 
+// Interface names used by the shared routing test fixtures. Kept untagged (no
+// privileged build tag) so the non-privileged test files in this package compile.
+//
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
 var expectedVPNint = "utun100"
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
 var expectedExternalInt = "lo0"
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
 var expectedInternalInt = "lo0"
 
-func init() {
-	testCases = append(testCases, []testCase{
-		{
-			name:              "To more specific route without custom dialer via vpn",
-			expectedInterface: expectedVPNint,
-			dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
-			expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("100.64.0.1", 12345, "10.10.0.2", 53),
-		},
-	}...)
-}
-
-func TestConcurrentRoutes(t *testing.T) {
-	baseIP := netip.MustParseAddr("192.0.2.0")
-
-	var intf *net.Interface
-	var nexthop Nexthop
-
-	_, intf = setupDummyInterface(t)
-	nexthop = Nexthop{netip.Addr{}, intf}
-
-	r := New(nil, nil)
-
-	var wg sync.WaitGroup
-	for i := 0; i < 1024; i++ {
-		wg.Add(1)
-		go func(ip netip.Addr) {
-			defer wg.Done()
-			prefix := netip.PrefixFrom(ip, 32)
-			if err := r.addToRouteTable(prefix, nexthop); err != nil {
-				t.Errorf("Failed to add route for %s: %v", prefix, err)
-			}
-		}(baseIP)
-		baseIP = baseIP.Next()
-	}
-
-	wg.Wait()
-
-	baseIP = netip.MustParseAddr("192.0.2.0")
-
-	for i := 0; i < 1024; i++ {
-		wg.Add(1)
-		go func(ip netip.Addr) {
-			defer wg.Done()
-			prefix := netip.PrefixFrom(ip, 32)
-			if err := r.removeFromRouteTable(prefix, nexthop); err != nil {
-				t.Errorf("Failed to remove route for %s: %v", prefix, err)
-			}
-		}(baseIP)
-		baseIP = baseIP.Next()
-	}
-
-	wg.Wait()
-}
-
 func TestBits(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name    string
@@ -122,122 +67,3 @@ func TestBits(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
-
-func createAndSetupDummyInterface(t *testing.T, intf string, ipAddressCIDR string) string {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
-		err := exec.Command("ifconfig", intf, "alias", ipAddressCIDR).Run()
-		require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to create loopback alias")
-
-		t.Cleanup(func() {
-			err := exec.Command("ifconfig", intf, ipAddressCIDR, "-alias").Run()
-			assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to remove loopback alias")
-		})
-
-		return intf
-	}
-
-	prefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(ipAddressCIDR)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to parse prefix")
-
-	netIntf, err := net.InterfaceByName(intf)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to get interface by name")
-
-	nexthop := Nexthop{netip.Addr{}, netIntf}
-
-	r := New(nil, nil)
-	err = r.addToRouteTable(prefix, nexthop)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to add route to table")
-
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		err := r.removeFromRouteTable(prefix, nexthop)
-		assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to remove route from table")
-	})
-
-	return intf
-}
-
-func addDummyRoute(t *testing.T, dstCIDR string, gw netip.Addr, _ string) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	var originalNexthop net.IP
-	if dstCIDR == "0.0.0.0/0" {
-		var err error
-		originalNexthop, err = fetchOriginalGateway()
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Logf("Failed to fetch original gateway: %v", err)
-		}
-
-		if output, err := exec.Command("route", "delete", "-net", dstCIDR).CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
-			t.Logf("Failed to delete route: %v, output: %s", err, output)
-		}
-	}
-
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		if originalNexthop != nil {
-			err := exec.Command("route", "add", "-net", dstCIDR, originalNexthop.String()).Run()
-			assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to restore original route")
-		}
-	})
-
-	err := exec.Command("route", "add", "-net", dstCIDR, gw.String()).Run()
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to add route")
-
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		err := exec.Command("route", "delete", "-net", dstCIDR).Run()
-		assert.NoError(t, err, "Failed to remove route")
-	})
-}
-
-func fetchOriginalGateway() (net.IP, error) {
-	output, err := exec.Command("route", "-n", "get", "default").CombinedOutput()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	matches := regexp.MustCompile(`gateway: (\S+)`).FindStringSubmatch(string(output))
-	if len(matches) == 0 {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("gateway not found")
-	}
-
-	return net.ParseIP(matches[1]), nil
-}
-
-// setupDummyInterface creates a dummy tun interface for FreeBSD route testing
-func setupDummyInterface(t *testing.T) (netip.Addr, *net.Interface) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
-		return netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 1, 2}), &net.Interface{Name: "lo0"}
-	}
-
-	output, err := exec.Command("ifconfig", "tun", "create").CombinedOutput()
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to create tun interface: %s", string(output))
-
-	tunName := strings.TrimSpace(string(output))
-
-	output, err = exec.Command("ifconfig", tunName, "192.168.1.1", "netmask", "255.255.0.0", "192.168.1.2", "up").CombinedOutput()
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to configure tun interface: %s", string(output))
-
-	intf, err := net.InterfaceByName(tunName)
-	require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to get interface by name")
-
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		if err := exec.Command("ifconfig", tunName, "destroy").Run(); err != nil {
-			t.Logf("Failed to destroy tun interface %s: %v", tunName, err)
-		}
-	})
-
-	return netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 1, 2}), intf
-}
-
-func setupDummyInterfacesAndRoutes(t *testing.T) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	defaultDummy := createAndSetupDummyInterface(t, expectedExternalInt, "192.168.0.1/24")
-	addDummyRoute(t, "0.0.0.0/0", netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 0, 1}), defaultDummy)
-
-	otherDummy := createAndSetupDummyInterface(t, expectedInternalInt, "192.168.1.1/24")
-	addDummyRoute(t, "10.0.0.0/8", netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, 168, 1, 1}), otherDummy)
-}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_dialer_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+//go:build !android && !ios
+
+package systemops
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"net"
+)
+
+// dialer is shared by the per-platform routing test cases. Kept untagged (no
+// privileged build tag) so the non-privileged test files compile on every platform.
+//
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+type dialer interface {
+	Dial(network, address string) (net.Conn, error)
+	DialContext(ctx context.Context, network, address string) (net.Conn, error)
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_generic.go

@@ -121,9 +121,12 @@ func (r *SysOps) addRouteToNonVPNIntf(prefix netip.Prefix, vpnIntf wgIface, init
 		return Nexthop{}, vars.ErrRouteNotAllowed
 	}
 
-	// Check if the prefix is part of any local subnets
-	if isLocal, subnet := r.isPrefixInLocalSubnets(prefix); isLocal {
-		return Nexthop{}, fmt.Errorf("prefix %s is part of local subnet %s: %w", prefix, subnet, vars.ErrRouteNotAllowed)
+	// BSDs blackhole a /32 added inside a directly-connected subnet; Linux/Windows need it to beat the wt0 route.
+	switch runtime.GOOS {
+	case "darwin", "freebsd", "netbsd", "openbsd", "dragonfly":
+		if isLocal, subnet := r.isPrefixInLocalSubnets(prefix); isLocal {
+			return Nexthop{}, fmt.Errorf("prefix %s is part of local subnet %s: %w", prefix, subnet, vars.ErrRouteNotAllowed)
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Determine the exit interface and next hop for the prefix, so we can add a specific route

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_generic_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build !android && !ios
+//go:build !android && !ios && privileged
 
 package systemops
 
@@ -26,11 +26,6 @@ import (
 	nbnet "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/net"
 )
 
-type dialer interface {
-	Dial(network, address string) (net.Conn, error)
-	DialContext(ctx context.Context, network, address string) (net.Conn, error)
-}
-
 func TestAddVPNRoute(t *testing.T) {
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name        string
@@ -515,125 +510,3 @@ func setupTestEnv(t *testing.T) {
 	// unique route in vpn table
 	setupRouteAndCleanup(t, r, netip.MustParsePrefix("172.16.0.0/12"), intf)
 }
-
-func TestIsVpnRoute(t *testing.T) {
-	tests := []struct {
-		name           string
-		addr           string
-		vpnRoutes      []string
-		localRoutes    []string
-		expectedVpn    bool
-		expectedPrefix netip.Prefix
-	}{
-		{
-			name:           "Match in VPN routes",
-			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
-			expectedVpn:    true,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Match in local routes",
-			addr:           "10.1.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
-			expectedVpn:    false,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("10.0.0.0/8"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "No match",
-			addr:           "172.16.0.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
-			expectedVpn:    false,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.Prefix{},
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Default route ignored",
-			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"0.0.0.0/0", "192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
-			expectedVpn:    true,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Default route matches but ignored",
-			addr:           "172.16.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"0.0.0.0/0", "192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
-			expectedVpn:    false,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.Prefix{},
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Longest prefix match local",
-			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.0.0/16"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			expectedVpn:    false,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Longest prefix match local multiple",
-			addr:           "192.168.0.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.0.0/16", "192.168.0.0/25", "192.168.0.0/27"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.0.0/24", "192.168.0.0/26", "192.168.0.0/28"},
-			expectedVpn:    false,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.0.0/28"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Longest prefix match vpn",
-			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.0.0/16"},
-			expectedVpn:    true,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Longest prefix match vpn multiple",
-			addr:           "192.168.0.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.0.0/16", "192.168.0.0/25", "192.168.0.0/27"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.0.0/24", "192.168.0.0/26"},
-			expectedVpn:    true,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.0.0/27"),
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "Duplicate prefix in both",
-			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
-			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
-			expectedVpn:    false,
-			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
-		},
-	}
-
-	for _, tt := range tests {
-		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(tt.addr)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("Failed to parse address %s: %v", tt.addr, err)
-			}
-
-			var vpnRoutes, localRoutes []netip.Prefix
-			for _, route := range tt.vpnRoutes {
-				prefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(route)
-				if err != nil {
-					t.Fatalf("Failed to parse VPN route %s: %v", route, err)
-				}
-				vpnRoutes = append(vpnRoutes, prefix)
-			}
-
-			for _, route := range tt.localRoutes {
-				prefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(route)
-				if err != nil {
-					t.Fatalf("Failed to parse local route %s: %v", route, err)
-				}
-				localRoutes = append(localRoutes, prefix)
-			}
-
-			isVpn, matchedPrefix := isVpnRoute(addr, vpnRoutes, localRoutes)
-			assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedVpn, isVpn, "isVpnRoute should return expectedVpn value")
-			assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedPrefix, matchedPrefix, "isVpnRoute should return expectedVpn prefix")
-		})
-	}
-}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_isvpnroute_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+//go:build !android && !ios
+
+package systemops
+
+import (
+	"net/netip"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+)
+
+func TestIsVpnRoute(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name           string
+		addr           string
+		vpnRoutes      []string
+		localRoutes    []string
+		expectedVpn    bool
+		expectedPrefix netip.Prefix
+	}{
+		{
+			name:           "Match in VPN routes",
+			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
+			expectedVpn:    true,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Match in local routes",
+			addr:           "10.1.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
+			expectedVpn:    false,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("10.0.0.0/8"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "No match",
+			addr:           "172.16.0.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
+			expectedVpn:    false,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.Prefix{},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Default route ignored",
+			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"0.0.0.0/0", "192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
+			expectedVpn:    true,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Default route matches but ignored",
+			addr:           "172.16.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"0.0.0.0/0", "192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"10.0.0.0/8"},
+			expectedVpn:    false,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.Prefix{},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Longest prefix match local",
+			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.0.0/16"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			expectedVpn:    false,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Longest prefix match local multiple",
+			addr:           "192.168.0.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.0.0/16", "192.168.0.0/25", "192.168.0.0/27"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.0.0/24", "192.168.0.0/26", "192.168.0.0/28"},
+			expectedVpn:    false,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.0.0/28"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Longest prefix match vpn",
+			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.0.0/16"},
+			expectedVpn:    true,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Longest prefix match vpn multiple",
+			addr:           "192.168.0.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.0.0/16", "192.168.0.0/25", "192.168.0.0/27"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.0.0/24", "192.168.0.0/26"},
+			expectedVpn:    true,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.0.0/27"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "Duplicate prefix in both",
+			addr:           "192.168.1.1",
+			vpnRoutes:      []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			localRoutes:    []string{"192.168.1.0/24"},
+			expectedVpn:    false,
+			expectedPrefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24"),
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(tt.addr)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("Failed to parse address %s: %v", tt.addr, err)
+			}
+
+			var vpnRoutes, localRoutes []netip.Prefix
+			for _, route := range tt.vpnRoutes {
+				prefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(route)
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("Failed to parse VPN route %s: %v", route, err)
+				}
+				vpnRoutes = append(vpnRoutes, prefix)
+			}
+
+			for _, route := range tt.localRoutes {
+				prefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(route)
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("Failed to parse local route %s: %v", route, err)
+				}
+				localRoutes = append(localRoutes, prefix)
+			}
+
+			isVpn, matchedPrefix := isVpnRoute(addr, vpnRoutes, localRoutes)
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedVpn, isVpn, "isVpnRoute should return expectedVpn value")
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedPrefix, matchedPrefix, "isVpnRoute should return expectedVpn prefix")
+		})
+	}
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_linux_test.go

@@ -1,13 +1,10 @@
-//go:build !android
+//go:build linux && !android && privileged
 
 package systemops
 
 import (
 	"errors"
-	"fmt"
 	"net"
-	"os"
-	"strings"
 	"syscall"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -18,10 +15,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/vars"
 )
 
-var expectedVPNint = "wgtest0"
-var expectedExternalInt = "dummyext0"
-var expectedInternalInt = "dummyint0"
-
 func init() {
 	testCases = append(testCases, []testCase{
 		{
@@ -33,62 +26,6 @@ func init() {
 	}...)
 }
 
-func TestEntryExists(t *testing.T) {
-	tempDir := t.TempDir()
-	tempFilePath := fmt.Sprintf("%s/rt_tables", tempDir)
-
-	content := []string{
-		"1000 reserved",
-		fmt.Sprintf("%d %s", NetbirdVPNTableID, NetbirdVPNTableName),
-		"9999 other_table",
-	}
-	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(tempFilePath, []byte(strings.Join(content, "\n")), 0644))
-
-	file, err := os.Open(tempFilePath)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	defer func() {
-		assert.NoError(t, file.Close())
-	}()
-
-	tests := []struct {
-		name        string
-		id          int
-		shouldExist bool
-		err         error
-	}{
-		{
-			name:        "ExistsWithNetbirdPrefix",
-			id:          7120,
-			shouldExist: true,
-			err:         nil,
-		},
-		{
-			name:        "ExistsWithDifferentName",
-			id:          1000,
-			shouldExist: true,
-			err:         ErrTableIDExists,
-		},
-		{
-			name:        "DoesNotExist",
-			id:          1234,
-			shouldExist: false,
-			err:         nil,
-		},
-	}
-
-	for _, tc := range tests {
-		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			exists, err := entryExists(file, tc.id)
-			if tc.err != nil {
-				assert.ErrorIs(t, err, tc.err)
-			} else {
-				assert.NoError(t, err)
-			}
-			assert.Equal(t, tc.shouldExist, exists)
-		})
-	}
-}
-
 func createAndSetupDummyInterface(t *testing.T, interfaceName, ipAddressCIDR string) string {
 	t.Helper()
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_routing_data_linux_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+//go:build linux && !android
+
+package systemops
+
+// Interface names used by the shared routing test fixtures. Kept untagged (no
+// privileged build tag) so the non-privileged test files in this package compile.
+//
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+var expectedVPNint = "wgtest0"
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+var expectedExternalInt = "dummyext0"
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+var expectedInternalInt = "dummyint0"

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_routing_data_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+//go:build (linux && !android) || (darwin && !ios) || freebsd || openbsd || netbsd || dragonfly
+
+package systemops
+
+import (
+	"net"
+
+	nbnet "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/net"
+)
+
+// Shared, non-privileged routing test fixtures. The privileged TestRouting (and its
+// per-platform init() appenders) consume these; they live here so the unprivileged
+// BSD/darwin test files compile without the privileged build tag.
+
+type PacketExpectation struct {
+	SrcIP   net.IP
+	DstIP   net.IP
+	SrcPort int
+	DstPort int
+	UDP     bool
+	TCP     bool
+}
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+type testCase struct {
+	name              string
+	expectedInterface string
+	dialer            dialer
+	expectedPacket    PacketExpectation
+}
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+var testCases = []testCase{
+	{
+		name:              "To external host without custom dialer via vpn",
+		expectedInterface: expectedVPNint,
+		dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
+		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("100.64.0.1", 12345, "192.0.2.1", 53),
+	},
+	{
+		name:              "To external host with custom dialer via physical interface",
+		expectedInterface: expectedExternalInt,
+		dialer:            nbnet.NewDialer(),
+		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.0.1", 12345, "192.0.2.1", 53),
+	},
+
+	{
+		name:              "To duplicate internal route with custom dialer via physical interface",
+		expectedInterface: expectedInternalInt,
+		dialer:            nbnet.NewDialer(),
+		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.1.1", 12345, "10.0.0.2", 53),
+	},
+	{
+		name:              "To duplicate internal route without custom dialer via physical interface", // local route takes precedence
+		expectedInterface: expectedInternalInt,
+		dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
+		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.1.1", 12345, "10.0.0.2", 53),
+	},
+
+	{
+		name:              "To unique vpn route with custom dialer via physical interface",
+		expectedInterface: expectedExternalInt,
+		dialer:            nbnet.NewDialer(),
+		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.0.1", 12345, "172.16.0.2", 53),
+	},
+	{
+		name:              "To unique vpn route without custom dialer via vpn",
+		expectedInterface: expectedVPNint,
+		dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
+		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("100.64.0.1", 12345, "172.16.0.2", 53),
+	},
+}
+
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
+func createPacketExpectation(srcIP string, srcPort int, dstIP string, dstPort int) PacketExpectation {
+	return PacketExpectation{
+		SrcIP:   net.ParseIP(srcIP),
+		DstIP:   net.ParseIP(dstIP),
+		SrcPort: srcPort,
+		DstPort: dstPort,
+		UDP:     true,
+	}
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_unix_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build (linux && !android) || (darwin && !ios) || freebsd || openbsd || netbsd || dragonfly
+//go:build ((linux && !android) || (darwin && !ios) || freebsd || openbsd || netbsd || dragonfly) && privileged
 
 package systemops
 
@@ -20,63 +20,6 @@ import (
 	nbnet "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/net"
 )
 
-type PacketExpectation struct {
-	SrcIP   net.IP
-	DstIP   net.IP
-	SrcPort int
-	DstPort int
-	UDP     bool
-	TCP     bool
-}
-
-type testCase struct {
-	name              string
-	expectedInterface string
-	dialer            dialer
-	expectedPacket    PacketExpectation
-}
-
-var testCases = []testCase{
-	{
-		name:              "To external host without custom dialer via vpn",
-		expectedInterface: expectedVPNint,
-		dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
-		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("100.64.0.1", 12345, "192.0.2.1", 53),
-	},
-	{
-		name:              "To external host with custom dialer via physical interface",
-		expectedInterface: expectedExternalInt,
-		dialer:            nbnet.NewDialer(),
-		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.0.1", 12345, "192.0.2.1", 53),
-	},
-
-	{
-		name:              "To duplicate internal route with custom dialer via physical interface",
-		expectedInterface: expectedInternalInt,
-		dialer:            nbnet.NewDialer(),
-		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.1.1", 12345, "10.0.0.2", 53),
-	},
-	{
-		name:              "To duplicate internal route without custom dialer via physical interface", // local route takes precedence
-		expectedInterface: expectedInternalInt,
-		dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
-		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.1.1", 12345, "10.0.0.2", 53),
-	},
-
-	{
-		name:              "To unique vpn route with custom dialer via physical interface",
-		expectedInterface: expectedExternalInt,
-		dialer:            nbnet.NewDialer(),
-		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("192.168.0.1", 12345, "172.16.0.2", 53),
-	},
-	{
-		name:              "To unique vpn route without custom dialer via vpn",
-		expectedInterface: expectedVPNint,
-		dialer:            &net.Dialer{},
-		expectedPacket:    createPacketExpectation("100.64.0.1", 12345, "172.16.0.2", 53),
-	},
-}
-
 func TestRouting(t *testing.T) {
 	nbnet.Init()
 	for _, tc := range testCases {
@@ -102,16 +45,6 @@ func TestRouting(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func createPacketExpectation(srcIP string, srcPort int, dstIP string, dstPort int) PacketExpectation {
-	return PacketExpectation{
-		SrcIP:   net.ParseIP(srcIP),
-		DstIP:   net.ParseIP(dstIP),
-		SrcPort: srcPort,
-		DstPort: dstPort,
-		UDP:     true,
-	}
-}
-
 func startPacketCapture(t *testing.T, intf, filter string) *pcap.Handle {
 	t.Helper()
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_windows_test.go

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+//go:build windows && privileged
+
 package systemops
 
 import (

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/v6route_bsd_test.go

@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ import (
 // ensureIPv6DefaultRoute installs an IPv6 default route via the loopback
 // interface so route lookups for global IPv6 prefixes resolve in environments
 // without v6 connectivity. If a default already exists it is left alone.
+//
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
 func ensureIPv6DefaultRoute(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Helper()
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/v6route_linux_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build linux && !android
+//go:build linux && !android && privileged
 
 package systemops
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/v6route_windows_test.go

@@ -8,11 +8,14 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 )
 
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
 const loopbackIfaceWindows = "Loopback Pseudo-Interface 1"
 
 // ensureIPv6DefaultRoute installs an IPv6 default route via the loopback
 // interface so route lookups for global IPv6 prefixes resolve in environments
 // without v6 connectivity. If a default already exists it is left alone.
+//
+//nolint:unused // consumed by the privileged-tagged routing tests
 func ensureIPv6DefaultRoute(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Helper()
 

client/internal/routeselector/routeselector.go

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"slices"
-	"strings"
 	"sync"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-multierror"
@@ -132,6 +131,33 @@ func (rs *RouteSelector) IsSelected(routeID route.NetID) bool {
 	return rs.isSelectedLocked(routeID)
 }
 
+// SyncPairedSelection forces pairedID's explicit selection state to match baseID's,
+// so a synthesized "-v6" exit route always follows its v4 base: selecting or
+// deselecting the v4 exit node governs the ::/0 pair, and any stale (orphaned)
+// explicit state on the v6 entry is reset. The v4/v6 exit pair is treated as a single
+// toggle, so the v6 entry carries no independent selection of its own.
+func (rs *RouteSelector) SyncPairedSelection(baseID, pairedID route.NetID) {
+	rs.mu.Lock()
+	defer rs.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if rs.deselectAll {
+		return
+	}
+
+	_, baseSelected := rs.selectedRoutes[baseID]
+	_, baseDeselected := rs.deselectedRoutes[baseID]
+
+	delete(rs.selectedRoutes, pairedID)
+	delete(rs.deselectedRoutes, pairedID)
+
+	switch {
+	case baseSelected:
+		rs.selectedRoutes[pairedID] = struct{}{}
+	case baseDeselected:
+		rs.deselectedRoutes[pairedID] = struct{}{}
+	}
+}
+
 // FilterSelected removes unselected routes from the provided map.
 func (rs *RouteSelector) FilterSelected(routes route.HAMap) route.HAMap {
 	rs.mu.RLock()
@@ -151,14 +177,13 @@ func (rs *RouteSelector) FilterSelected(routes route.HAMap) route.HAMap {
 }
 
 // HasUserSelectionForRoute returns true if the user has explicitly selected or deselected this route.
-// Intended for exit-node code paths: a v6 exit-node pair (e.g. "MyExit-v6") with no explicit state of
-// its own inherits its v4 base's state, so legacy persisted selections that predate v6 pairing
-// transparently apply to the synthesized v6 entry.
+// The lookup is literal; v4/v6 exit pairs are kept consistent at write time via SyncPairedSelection,
+// so a synthesized "-v6" entry carries the same explicit state as its v4 base.
 func (rs *RouteSelector) HasUserSelectionForRoute(routeID route.NetID) bool {
 	rs.mu.RLock()
 	defer rs.mu.RUnlock()
 
-	return rs.hasUserSelectionForRouteLocked(rs.effectiveNetID(routeID))
+	return rs.hasUserSelectionForRouteLocked(routeID)
 }
 
 func (rs *RouteSelector) FilterSelectedExitNodes(routes route.HAMap) route.HAMap {
@@ -187,83 +212,6 @@ func (rs *RouteSelector) FilterSelectedExitNodes(routes route.HAMap) route.HAMap
 	return filtered
 }
 
-// effectiveNetID returns the v4 base for a "-v6" exit pair entry that has no explicit
-// state of its own, so selections made on the v4 entry govern the v6 entry automatically.
-// Only call this from exit-node-specific code paths: applying it to a non-exit "-v6" route
-// would make it inherit unrelated v4 state. Must be called with rs.mu held.
-func (rs *RouteSelector) effectiveNetID(id route.NetID) route.NetID {
-	name := string(id)
-	if !strings.HasSuffix(name, route.V6ExitSuffix) {
-		return id
-	}
-	if _, ok := rs.selectedRoutes[id]; ok {
-		return id
-	}
-	if _, ok := rs.deselectedRoutes[id]; ok {
-		return id
-	}
-	return route.NetID(strings.TrimSuffix(name, route.V6ExitSuffix))
-}
-
-func (rs *RouteSelector) isSelectedLocked(routeID route.NetID) bool {
-	if rs.deselectAll {
-		return false
-	}
-	_, deselected := rs.deselectedRoutes[routeID]
-	return !deselected
-}
-
-func (rs *RouteSelector) isDeselectedLocked(netID route.NetID) bool {
-	if rs.deselectAll {
-		return true
-	}
-	_, deselected := rs.deselectedRoutes[netID]
-	return deselected
-}
-
-func (rs *RouteSelector) hasUserSelectionForRouteLocked(routeID route.NetID) bool {
-	_, selected := rs.selectedRoutes[routeID]
-	_, deselected := rs.deselectedRoutes[routeID]
-	return selected || deselected
-}
-
-func isExitNode(rt []*route.Route) bool {
-	return len(rt) > 0 && (route.IsV4DefaultRoute(rt[0].Network) || route.IsV6DefaultRoute(rt[0].Network))
-}
-
-func (rs *RouteSelector) applyExitNodeFilter(
-	id route.HAUniqueID,
-	netID route.NetID,
-	rt []*route.Route,
-	out route.HAMap,
-) {
-	// Exit-node path: apply the v4/v6 pair mirror so a deselect on the v4 base also
-	// drops the synthesized v6 entry that lacks its own explicit state.
-	effective := rs.effectiveNetID(netID)
-	if rs.hasUserSelectionForRouteLocked(effective) {
-		if rs.isSelectedLocked(effective) {
-			out[id] = rt
-		}
-		return
-	}
-
-	// no explicit selection for this route: defer to management's SkipAutoApply flag
-	sel := collectSelected(rt)
-	if len(sel) > 0 {
-		out[id] = sel
-	}
-}
-
-func collectSelected(rt []*route.Route) []*route.Route {
-	var sel []*route.Route
-	for _, r := range rt {
-		if !r.SkipAutoApply {
-			sel = append(sel, r)
-		}
-	}
-	return sel
-}
-
 // MarshalJSON implements the json.Marshaler interface
 func (rs *RouteSelector) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 	rs.mu.RLock()
@@ -317,3 +265,59 @@ func (rs *RouteSelector) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
 
 	return nil
 }
+
+func (rs *RouteSelector) isSelectedLocked(routeID route.NetID) bool {
+	if rs.deselectAll {
+		return false
+	}
+	_, deselected := rs.deselectedRoutes[routeID]
+	return !deselected
+}
+
+func (rs *RouteSelector) isDeselectedLocked(netID route.NetID) bool {
+	if rs.deselectAll {
+		return true
+	}
+	_, deselected := rs.deselectedRoutes[netID]
+	return deselected
+}
+
+func (rs *RouteSelector) hasUserSelectionForRouteLocked(routeID route.NetID) bool {
+	_, selected := rs.selectedRoutes[routeID]
+	_, deselected := rs.deselectedRoutes[routeID]
+	return selected || deselected
+}
+
+func (rs *RouteSelector) applyExitNodeFilter(
+	id route.HAUniqueID,
+	netID route.NetID,
+	rt []*route.Route,
+	out route.HAMap,
+) {
+	if rs.hasUserSelectionForRouteLocked(netID) {
+		if rs.isSelectedLocked(netID) {
+			out[id] = rt
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// no explicit selection for this route: defer to management's SkipAutoApply flag
+	sel := collectSelected(rt)
+	if len(sel) > 0 {
+		out[id] = sel
+	}
+}
+
+func isExitNode(rt []*route.Route) bool {
+	return len(rt) > 0 && (route.IsV4DefaultRoute(rt[0].Network) || route.IsV6DefaultRoute(rt[0].Network))
+}
+
+func collectSelected(rt []*route.Route) []*route.Route {
+	var sel []*route.Route
+	for _, r := range rt {
+		if !r.SkipAutoApply {
+			sel = append(sel, r)
+		}
+	}
+	return sel
+}

client/internal/routeselector/routeselector_test.go

@@ -330,39 +330,73 @@ func TestRouteSelector_FilterSelectedExitNodes(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Len(t, filtered, 0) // No routes should be selected
 }
 
-// TestRouteSelector_V6ExitPairInherits covers the v4/v6 exit-node pair selection
-// mirror. The mirror is scoped to exit-node code paths: HasUserSelectionForRoute
-// and FilterSelectedExitNodes resolve a "-v6" entry without explicit state to its
-// v4 base, so legacy persisted selections that predate v6 pairing transparently
-// apply to the synthesized v6 entry. General lookups (IsSelected, FilterSelected)
-// stay literal so unrelated routes named "*-v6" don't inherit unrelated state.
-func TestRouteSelector_V6ExitPairInherits(t *testing.T) {
+// TestRouteSelector_V6ExitPairSync covers SyncPairedSelection, which keeps a v4
+// exit node and its synthesized "-v6" counterpart consistent. The selector itself
+// is literal and never infers a v6 entry's state from its v4 base; callers that know
+// the pairing (exit-node code paths) call SyncPairedSelection to force the v6 entry
+// to follow the base, treating the pair as a single toggle.
+func TestRouteSelector_V6ExitPairSync(t *testing.T) {
 	all := []route.NetID{"exit1", "exit1-v6", "exit2", "exit2-v6", "corp", "corp-v6"}
 
-	t.Run("HasUserSelectionForRoute mirrors deselected v4 base", func(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("selector lookups stay literal without sync", func(t *testing.T) {
 		rs := routeselector.NewRouteSelector()
 		require.NoError(t, rs.DeselectRoutes([]route.NetID{"exit1"}, all))
 
-		assert.True(t, rs.HasUserSelectionForRoute("exit1-v6"), "v6 pair sees v4 base's user selection")
+		// The selector does not pair-resolve: the v6 entry is independent until synced.
+		assert.False(t, rs.HasUserSelectionForRoute("exit1-v6"), "v6 entry has no state of its own")
+		assert.True(t, rs.IsSelected("exit1-v6"), "unsynced v6 entry stays selected by default")
 
-		// unrelated v6 with no v4 base touched is unaffected
-		assert.False(t, rs.HasUserSelectionForRoute("exit2-v6"))
+		// A route literally named "exit1-something" must never pair-resolve either.
+		assert.False(t, rs.HasUserSelectionForRoute("exit1-something"))
 	})
 
-	t.Run("IsSelected stays literal for non-exit lookups", func(t *testing.T) {
-		rs := routeselector.NewRouteSelector()
-		require.NoError(t, rs.DeselectRoutes([]route.NetID{"corp"}, all))
-
-		// A non-exit route literally named "corp-v6" must not inherit "corp"'s state
-		// via the mirror; the mirror only applies in exit-node code paths.
-		assert.False(t, rs.IsSelected("corp"))
-		assert.True(t, rs.IsSelected("corp-v6"), "non-exit *-v6 routes must not inherit unrelated v4 state")
-	})
-
-	t.Run("explicit v6 state overrides v4 base in filter", func(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("sync mirrors deselected v4 base onto v6", func(t *testing.T) {
 		rs := routeselector.NewRouteSelector()
 		require.NoError(t, rs.DeselectRoutes([]route.NetID{"exit1"}, all))
+
+		rs.SyncPairedSelection("exit1", "exit1-v6")
+
+		assert.False(t, rs.IsSelected("exit1"))
+		assert.False(t, rs.IsSelected("exit1-v6"), "v6 pair follows v4 base deselect")
+		assert.True(t, rs.HasUserSelectionForRoute("exit1-v6"), "v6 carries explicit deselect after sync")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("sync mirrors selected v4 base onto v6", func(t *testing.T) {
+		rs := routeselector.NewRouteSelector()
+		require.NoError(t, rs.SelectRoutes([]route.NetID{"exit1"}, false, all))
+
+		rs.SyncPairedSelection("exit1", "exit1-v6")
+
+		assert.True(t, rs.IsSelected("exit1"))
+		assert.True(t, rs.IsSelected("exit1-v6"), "v6 pair follows v4 base select")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("sync clears v6 state when base has no explicit selection", func(t *testing.T) {
+		rs := routeselector.NewRouteSelector()
 		require.NoError(t, rs.SelectRoutes([]route.NetID{"exit1-v6"}, true, all))
+		require.True(t, rs.HasUserSelectionForRoute("exit1-v6"))
+
+		rs.SyncPairedSelection("exit1", "exit1-v6")
+
+		assert.False(t, rs.HasUserSelectionForRoute("exit1-v6"),
+			"v6 explicit state is cleared so it follows management like its base")
+	})
+
+	// Regression for the observed bug (see netbird-engine.log): persisted state has
+	// the v4 base deselected but the v6 sibling explicitly selected (orphaned). The
+	// sync must reset the orphan so the ::/0 route does not leak onto the tunnel.
+	t.Run("sync clears orphaned explicit v6 selection on deselected base", func(t *testing.T) {
+		rs := routeselector.NewRouteSelector()
+
+		// Prior state: both explicitly selected, then only the v4 base deselected,
+		// leaving the v6 entry as a stale explicit selection.
+		require.NoError(t, rs.SelectRoutes([]route.NetID{"exit1", "exit1-v6"}, true, all))
+		require.NoError(t, rs.DeselectRoutes([]route.NetID{"exit1"}, all))
+		require.True(t, rs.IsSelected("exit1-v6"), "precondition: orphaned v6 selection")
+
+		rs.SyncPairedSelection("exit1", "exit1-v6")
+
+		assert.False(t, rs.IsSelected("exit1-v6"), "orphaned v6 selection reset to follow v4 deselect")
 
 		v4Route := &route.Route{NetID: "exit1", Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("0.0.0.0/0")}
 		v6Route := &route.Route{NetID: "exit1-v6", Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("::/0")}
@@ -370,23 +404,14 @@ func TestRouteSelector_V6ExitPairInherits(t *testing.T) {
 			"exit1|0.0.0.0/0": {v4Route},
 			"exit1-v6|::/0":   {v6Route},
 		}
-
 		filtered := rs.FilterSelectedExitNodes(routes)
-		assert.NotContains(t, filtered, route.HAUniqueID("exit1|0.0.0.0/0"))
-		assert.Contains(t, filtered, route.HAUniqueID("exit1-v6|::/0"), "explicit v6 select wins over v4 base")
+		assert.Empty(t, filtered, "deselecting v4 base must drop the v6 pair even if it was explicitly selected before")
 	})
 
-	t.Run("non-v6-suffix routes unaffected", func(t *testing.T) {
-		rs := routeselector.NewRouteSelector()
-		require.NoError(t, rs.DeselectRoutes([]route.NetID{"exit1"}, all))
-
-		// A route literally named "exit1-something" must not pair-resolve.
-		assert.False(t, rs.HasUserSelectionForRoute("exit1-something"))
-	})
-
-	t.Run("filter v6 paired with deselected v4 base", func(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("filter drops synced v6 pair of deselected v4 base", func(t *testing.T) {
 		rs := routeselector.NewRouteSelector()
 		require.NoError(t, rs.DeselectRoutes([]route.NetID{"exit1"}, all))
+		rs.SyncPairedSelection("exit1", "exit1-v6")
 
 		v4Route := &route.Route{NetID: "exit1", Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("0.0.0.0/0")}
 		v6Route := &route.Route{NetID: "exit1-v6", Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("::/0")}
@@ -399,6 +424,15 @@ func TestRouteSelector_V6ExitPairInherits(t *testing.T) {
 		assert.Empty(t, filtered, "deselecting v4 base must also drop the v6 pair")
 	})
 
+	t.Run("deselectAll makes sync a no-op", func(t *testing.T) {
+		rs := routeselector.NewRouteSelector()
+		rs.DeselectAllRoutes()
+
+		rs.SyncPairedSelection("exit1", "exit1-v6")
+
+		assert.False(t, rs.HasUserSelectionForRoute("exit1-v6"), "sync must not write explicit state under deselectAll")
+	})
+
 	t.Run("non-exit *-v6 routes pass through FilterSelectedExitNodes", func(t *testing.T) {
 		rs := routeselector.NewRouteSelector()
 		require.NoError(t, rs.DeselectRoutes([]route.NetID{"corp"}, all))