Merge branch 'main' into refactor/relay-foreign-cache

# Conflicts:
#	shared/relay/client/manager.go

client/android/client.go

@@ -247,6 +247,9 @@ func (c *Client) DebugBundle(platformFiles PlatformFiles, anonymize bool) (strin
 		deps.SyncResponse = resp
 
 		if e := cc.Engine(); e != nil {
+			deps.RefreshStatus = func() {
+				e.RunHealthProbes(context.Background(), true)
+			}
 			if cm := e.GetClientMetrics(); cm != nil {
 				deps.ClientMetrics = cm
 			}

client/android/env_list.go

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ var (
 	EnvKeyNBForceRelay = peer.EnvKeyNBForceRelay
 
 	// EnvKeyNBLazyConn Exported for Android java client to configure lazy connection
-	EnvKeyNBLazyConn = lazyconn.EnvEnableLazyConn
+	EnvKeyNBLazyConn = lazyconn.EnvLazyConn
 
 	// EnvKeyNBInactivityThreshold Exported for Android java client to configure connection inactivity threshold
 	EnvKeyNBInactivityThreshold = lazyconn.EnvInactivityThreshold

client/cmd/login.go

@@ -17,16 +17,26 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/auth"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
+	nbnet "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/net"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/server"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
 )
 
+// extendSessionFlag drives the `netbird login --extend` flow: refresh the
+// SSO session expiry on the management server without tearing down the
+// tunnel. Mutually exclusive with setup-key login (a setup-key cannot
+// refresh an SSO-tracked peer — see auth.errSetupKeyOnSSOExpiredPeer).
+var extendSessionFlag bool
+
 func init() {
 	loginCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&noBrowser, noBrowserFlag, false, noBrowserDesc)
 	loginCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&showQR, showQRFlag, false, showQRDesc)
 	loginCmd.PersistentFlags().StringVar(&profileName, profileNameFlag, "", profileNameDesc)
 	loginCmd.PersistentFlags().StringVarP(&configPath, "config", "c", "", "(DEPRECATED) Netbird config file location")
+	loginCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&extendSessionFlag, "extend", false,
+		"refresh the SSO session expiry without tearing down the tunnel (requires an active connection)")
 }
 
 var loginCmd = &cobra.Command{
@@ -61,6 +71,16 @@ var loginCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			return err
 		}
 
+		if extendSessionFlag {
+			if providedSetupKey != "" {
+				return fmt.Errorf("--extend cannot be combined with a setup key; setup keys can only enrol new peers")
+			}
+			if err := doExtendSession(ctx, cmd); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("extend session failed: %v", err)
+			}
+			return nil
+		}
+
 		// workaround to run without service
 		if util.FindFirstLogPath(logFiles) == "" {
 			if err := doForegroundLogin(ctx, cmd, providedSetupKey, activeProf); err != nil {
@@ -152,6 +172,65 @@ func doDaemonLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, providedSetupKey str
 	return nil
 }
 
+// doExtendSession drives the daemon's RequestExtendAuthSession /
+// WaitExtendAuthSession pair. The user is sent through a regular SSO flow
+// (browser + verification URL) and the resulting JWT is forwarded to the
+// management server's ExtendAuthSession RPC. The tunnel stays up
+// throughout — no Down/Up, no network-map resync.
+func doExtendSession(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command) error {
+	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(ctx, daemonAddr)
+	if err != nil {
+		//nolint
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to daemon error: %v\n"+
+			"If the daemon is not running please run: "+
+			"\nnetbird service install \nnetbird service start\n", err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+
+	client := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn)
+
+	req := &proto.RequestExtendAuthSessionRequest{}
+	// Pre-fill the IdP login hint from the active profile so the user
+	// doesn't have to retype their email. Best-effort: we still proceed
+	// without a hint if the lookup fails.
+	pm := profilemanager.NewProfileManager()
+	if active, perr := pm.GetActiveProfile(); perr == nil {
+		if profState, sperr := pm.GetProfileState(active.ID); sperr == nil && profState.Email != "" {
+			req.Hint = &profState.Email
+		}
+	}
+
+	startResp, err := client.RequestExtendAuthSession(ctx, req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("start extend session: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	uri := startResp.GetVerificationURIComplete()
+	if uri == "" {
+		uri = startResp.GetVerificationURI()
+	}
+	openURL(cmd, uri, startResp.GetUserCode(), noBrowser, showQR)
+
+	waitResp, err := client.WaitExtendAuthSession(ctx, &proto.WaitExtendAuthSessionRequest{
+		DeviceCode: startResp.GetDeviceCode(),
+		UserCode:   startResp.GetUserCode(),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("wait for extend session: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if ts := waitResp.GetSessionExpiresAt(); ts.IsValid() && !ts.AsTime().IsZero() {
+		deadline := ts.AsTime().Local()
+		cmd.Printf("Session extended. New expiry: %s\n", deadline.Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05 MST"))
+	} else {
+		// Management reported the peer is not eligible (e.g. login
+		// expiration disabled on the account). Surface that fact
+		// instead of pretending the call succeeded.
+		cmd.Println("Session extension call completed, but the management server did not return a new deadline (peer may not be SSO-tracked or login expiration is disabled).")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func getActiveProfile(ctx context.Context, pm *profilemanager.ProfileManager, profileName string, username string) (*profilemanager.Profile, error) {
 	// switch profile if provided
 
@@ -254,6 +333,14 @@ func doForegroundLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, setupKey string,
 		return fmt.Errorf("read config file %s: %v", configFilePath, err)
 	}
 
+	// Mirror runInForegroundMode: recover residual state (DNS, firewall,
+	// ssh config, legacy routing) from a previous unclean shutdown and
+	// enable advanced routing before dialing management.
+	if err := server.RestoreResidualState(ctx, profilemanager.NewServiceManager(configFilePath).GetStatePath()); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to restore residual state: %v", err)
+	}
+	nbnet.Init()
+
 	err = foregroundLogin(ctx, cmd, config, setupKey, activeProf.ID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("foreground login failed: %v", err)

client/cmd/root.go

@@ -71,12 +71,14 @@ var (
 	extraIFaceBlackList     []string
 	anonymizeFlag           bool
 	dnsRouteInterval        time.Duration
-	lazyConnEnabled         bool
-	mtu                     uint16
-	profilesDisabled        bool
-	updateSettingsDisabled  bool
-	captureEnabled          bool
-	networksDisabled        bool
+	// lazyConnEnabled is the parse target for the deprecated --enable-lazy-connection
+	// flag. The flag is inert; the value is no longer read (use NB_LAZY_CONN instead).
+	lazyConnEnabled        bool
+	mtu                    uint16
+	profilesDisabled       bool
+	updateSettingsDisabled bool
+	captureEnabled         bool
+	networksDisabled       bool
 
 	rootCmd = &cobra.Command{
 		Use:          "netbird",
@@ -210,7 +212,8 @@ func init() {
 	upCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&rosenpassEnabled, enableRosenpassFlag, false, "[Experimental] Enable Rosenpass feature. If enabled, the connection will be post-quantum secured via Rosenpass.")
 	upCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&rosenpassPermissive, rosenpassPermissiveFlag, false, "[Experimental] Enable Rosenpass in permissive mode to allow this peer to accept WireGuard connections without requiring Rosenpass functionality from peers that do not have Rosenpass enabled.")
 	upCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&autoConnectDisabled, disableAutoConnectFlag, false, "Disables auto-connect feature. If enabled, then the client won't connect automatically when the service starts.")
-	upCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&lazyConnEnabled, enableLazyConnectionFlag, false, "[Experimental] Enable the lazy connection feature. If enabled, the client will establish connections on-demand. Note: this setting may be overridden by management configuration.")
+	upCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&lazyConnEnabled, enableLazyConnectionFlag, false, "Deprecated: no longer used. Lazy connections are controlled by the server and the NB_LAZY_CONN environment variable.")
+	_ = upCmd.PersistentFlags().MarkDeprecated(enableLazyConnectionFlag, "no longer used; lazy connections are controlled by the server and the NB_LAZY_CONN environment variable")
 
 }
 

client/cmd/service.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ package cmd
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"net/http"
 	"runtime"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -22,15 +23,21 @@ var serviceCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Short: "Manage the NetBird daemon service",
 }
 
+const defaultJSONSocket = "unix:///var/run/netbird-http.sock"
+
 var (
-	serviceName    string
-	serviceEnvVars []string
+	serviceName      string
+	serviceEnvVars   []string
+	jsonSocket       string
+	enableJSONSocket bool
 )
 
 type program struct {
 	ctx              context.Context
 	cancel           context.CancelFunc
 	serv             *grpc.Server
+	jsonServ         *http.Server
+	jsonServMu       sync.Mutex
 	serverInstance   *server.Server
 	serverInstanceMu sync.Mutex
 }
@@ -46,6 +53,8 @@ func init() {
 	serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&updateSettingsDisabled, "disable-update-settings", false, "Disables update settings feature. If enabled, the client will not be able to change or edit any settings. To persist this setting, use: netbird service install --disable-update-settings")
 	serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&captureEnabled, "enable-capture", false, "Enables packet capture via 'netbird debug capture'. To persist, use: netbird service install --enable-capture")
 	serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&networksDisabled, "disable-networks", false, "Disables network selection. If enabled, the client will not allow listing, selecting, or deselecting networks. To persist, use: netbird service install --disable-networks")
+	serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&enableJSONSocket, "enable-json-socket", false, "Enables the HTTP/JSON API socket served by grpc-gateway. To persist, use: netbird service install --enable-json-socket")
+	serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().StringVar(&jsonSocket, "json-socket", defaultJSONSocket, "HTTP/JSON API socket address [unix|tcp]://[path|host:port]. Requires --enable-json-socket to serve. To persist, use: netbird service install --enable-json-socket --json-socket")
 
 	rootCmd.PersistentFlags().StringVarP(&serviceName, "service", "s", defaultServiceName, "Netbird system service name")
 	serviceEnvDesc := `Sets extra environment variables for the service. ` +

client/cmd/service_controller.go

@@ -5,9 +5,6 @@ package cmd
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
-	"net"
-	"os"
-	"strings"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/kardianos/service"
@@ -22,41 +19,56 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
 )
 
+func validateJSONSocketFlags() error {
+	if serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().Changed("json-socket") && !enableJSONSocket {
+		return fmt.Errorf("--json-socket requires --enable-json-socket to configure the daemon JSON gateway")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (p *program) Start(svc service.Service) error {
 	// Start should not block. Do the actual work async.
 	log.Info("starting NetBird service") //nolint
 
+	if err := validateJSONSocketFlags(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// Collect static system and platform information
 	system.UpdateStaticInfoAsync()
 
 	// in any case, even if configuration does not exists we run daemon to serve CLI gRPC API.
 	p.serv = grpc.NewServer()
 
-	split := strings.Split(daemonAddr, "://")
-	switch split[0] {
-	case "unix":
-		// cleanup failed close
-		stat, err := os.Stat(split[1])
-		if err == nil && !stat.IsDir() {
-			if err := os.Remove(split[1]); err != nil {
-				log.Debugf("remove socket file: %v", err)
-			}
-		}
-	case "tcp":
-	default:
-		return fmt.Errorf("unsupported daemon address protocol: %v", split[0])
-	}
-
-	listen, err := net.Listen(split[0], split[1])
+	daemonListener, err := listenOnAddress(daemonAddr)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("listen daemon interface: %w", err)
 	}
-	go func() {
-		defer listen.Close()
 
-		if split[0] == "unix" {
-			if err := os.Chmod(split[1], 0666); err != nil {
-				log.Errorf("failed setting daemon permissions: %v", split[1])
+	var jsonListener *socketListener
+	if enableJSONSocket {
+		jsonListener, err = listenOnAddress(jsonSocket)
+		if err != nil {
+			_ = daemonListener.Close()
+			return fmt.Errorf("listen daemon JSON interface: %w", err)
+		}
+	} else {
+		removeStaleUnixSocketForAddress(jsonSocket)
+	}
+
+	go func() {
+		defer daemonListener.Close()
+		if jsonListener != nil {
+			defer jsonListener.Close()
+		}
+
+		if err := daemonListener.chmodUnixSocket("daemon"); err != nil {
+			log.Error(err)
+			return
+		}
+		if jsonListener != nil {
+			if err := jsonListener.chmodUnixSocket("daemon JSON"); err != nil {
+				log.Error(err)
 				return
 			}
 		}
@@ -71,8 +83,16 @@ func (p *program) Start(svc service.Service) error {
 		p.serverInstance = serverInstance
 		p.serverInstanceMu.Unlock()
 
-		log.Printf("started daemon server: %v", split[1])
-		if err := p.serv.Serve(listen); err != nil {
+		if jsonListener != nil {
+			if err := p.startJSONGateway(jsonListener, daemonAddr); err != nil {
+				log.Fatalf("failed to start daemon JSON server: %v", err)
+			}
+		} else {
+			log.Debug("daemon JSON socket disabled")
+		}
+
+		log.Printf("started daemon server: %v", daemonListener.address)
+		if err := p.serv.Serve(daemonListener.Listener); err != nil {
 			log.Errorf("failed to serve daemon requests: %v", err)
 		}
 	}()
@@ -92,6 +112,20 @@ func (p *program) Stop(srv service.Service) error {
 
 	p.cancel()
 
+	p.jsonServMu.Lock()
+	jsonServ := p.jsonServ
+	p.jsonServMu.Unlock()
+	if jsonServ != nil {
+		shutdownCtx, shutdownCancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 2*time.Second)
+		if err := jsonServ.Shutdown(shutdownCtx); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to stop daemon JSON server gracefully: %v", err)
+			if err := jsonServ.Close(); err != nil {
+				log.Errorf("failed to close daemon JSON server: %v", err)
+			}
+		}
+		shutdownCancel()
+	}
+
 	if p.serv != nil {
 		p.serv.Stop()
 	}
@@ -148,6 +182,9 @@ var runCmd = &cobra.Command{
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		if err := validateJSONSocketFlags(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
 
 		return s.Run()
 	},
@@ -162,6 +199,9 @@ var startCmd = &cobra.Command{
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		if err := validateJSONSocketFlags(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
 
 		if err := s.Start(); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("start service: %w", err)
@@ -198,6 +238,9 @@ var restartCmd = &cobra.Command{
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		if err := validateJSONSocketFlags(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
 
 		if err := s.Restart(); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("restart service: %w", err)

client/cmd/service_installer.go

@@ -67,6 +67,10 @@ func buildServiceArguments() []string {
 		args = append(args, "--disable-networks")
 	}
 
+	if enableJSONSocket {
+		args = append(args, "--enable-json-socket", "--json-socket", jsonSocket)
+	}
+
 	return args
 }
 
@@ -106,6 +110,10 @@ func configurePlatformSpecificSettings(svcConfig *service.Config) error {
 
 // Create fully configured service config for install/reconfigure
 func createServiceConfigForInstall() (*service.Config, error) {
+	if err := validateJSONSocketFlags(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
 	svcConfig, err := newSVCConfig()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create service config: %w", err)

client/cmd/service_json_gateway.go

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+//go:build !ios && !android
+
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"net"
+	"net/http"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/grpc-ecosystem/grpc-gateway/v2/runtime"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/credentials/insecure"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+)
+
+func grpcGatewayEndpoint(addr string) string {
+	return strings.TrimPrefix(addr, "tcp://")
+}
+
+func (p *program) startJSONGateway(jsonListener *socketListener, daemonEndpoint string) error {
+	mux := runtime.NewServeMux()
+	opts := []grpc.DialOption{grpc.WithTransportCredentials(insecure.NewCredentials())}
+	if err := proto.RegisterDaemonServiceHandlerFromEndpoint(p.ctx, mux, grpcGatewayEndpoint(daemonEndpoint), opts); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	jsonServer := &http.Server{
+		Handler:           mux,
+		ReadHeaderTimeout: 5 * time.Second,
+		BaseContext: func(net.Listener) context.Context {
+			return p.ctx
+		},
+	}
+
+	p.jsonServMu.Lock()
+	p.jsonServ = jsonServer
+	p.jsonServMu.Unlock()
+
+	go func() {
+		log.Printf("started daemon JSON server: %v", jsonListener.address)
+		if err := jsonServer.Serve(jsonListener.Listener); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, http.ErrServerClosed) {
+			log.Errorf("failed to serve daemon JSON requests: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	return nil
+}

client/cmd/service_json_socket_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+//go:build !ios && !android
+
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"net"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+	"github.com/spf13/pflag"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func preserveJSONSocketTestState(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	origJSONSocket := jsonSocket
+	origEnableJSONSocket := enableJSONSocket
+	origChanged := map[string]bool{}
+	serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().VisitAll(func(flag *pflag.Flag) {
+		origChanged[flag.Name] = flag.Changed
+	})
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		jsonSocket = origJSONSocket
+		enableJSONSocket = origEnableJSONSocket
+		serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().VisitAll(func(flag *pflag.Flag) {
+			flag.Changed = origChanged[flag.Name]
+		})
+	})
+}
+
+func TestJSONSocketFlagsArePositiveEnableOnly(t *testing.T) {
+	assert.NotNil(t, serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().Lookup("enable-json-socket"))
+	assert.NotNil(t, serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().Lookup("json-socket"))
+	assert.Nil(t, serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().Lookup("disable-json-socket"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "false", serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().Lookup("enable-json-socket").DefValue)
+}
+
+func TestBuildServiceArgumentsDefaultDisablesJSONSocket(t *testing.T) {
+	preserveJSONSocketTestState(t)
+
+	enableJSONSocket = false
+	jsonSocket = "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080"
+
+	args := buildServiceArguments()
+
+	assert.NotContains(t, args, "--enable-json-socket")
+	assert.NotContains(t, args, "--json-socket")
+}
+
+func TestBuildServiceArgumentsIncludesJSONSocketWhenEnabled(t *testing.T) {
+	preserveJSONSocketTestState(t)
+
+	enableJSONSocket = true
+	jsonSocket = "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080"
+
+	args := buildServiceArguments()
+
+	enableIndex := indexOfArg(args, "--enable-json-socket")
+	jsonIndex := indexOfArg(args, "--json-socket")
+	require.NotEqual(t, -1, enableIndex)
+	require.NotEqual(t, -1, jsonIndex)
+	require.Less(t, enableIndex, jsonIndex)
+	require.Less(t, jsonIndex+1, len(args))
+	assert.Equal(t, "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080", args[jsonIndex+1])
+}
+
+func TestJSONSocketWithoutEnableValidation(t *testing.T) {
+	preserveJSONSocketTestState(t)
+
+	enableJSONSocket = false
+	require.NoError(t, serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().Set("json-socket", "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080"))
+
+	err := validateJSONSocketFlags()
+
+	require.Error(t, err)
+	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "--enable-json-socket")
+}
+
+func TestJSONSocketWithEnableValidation(t *testing.T) {
+	preserveJSONSocketTestState(t)
+
+	require.NoError(t, serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().Set("enable-json-socket", "true"))
+	require.NoError(t, serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().Set("json-socket", "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080"))
+
+	assert.NoError(t, validateJSONSocketFlags())
+}
+
+func TestJSONSocketServiceParamsPersistEnableAndAddress(t *testing.T) {
+	preserveJSONSocketTestState(t)
+	serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().VisitAll(func(flag *pflag.Flag) {
+		flag.Changed = false
+	})
+
+	enableJSONSocket = true
+	jsonSocket = "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080"
+
+	params := currentServiceParams()
+	require.True(t, params.EnableJSONSocket)
+	require.Equal(t, "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080", params.JSONSocket)
+
+	enableJSONSocket = false
+	jsonSocket = defaultJSONSocket
+	applyServiceParams(testServiceEnvCommand(), params)
+
+	assert.True(t, enableJSONSocket)
+	assert.Equal(t, "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080", jsonSocket)
+}
+
+func TestRemoveStaleUnixSocketDoesNotRemoveRegularFile(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "netbird-http.sock")
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(path, []byte("not a socket"), 0600))
+
+	removeStaleUnixSocket(path)
+
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, []byte("not a socket"), data)
+}
+
+func TestRemoveStaleUnixSocketRemovesSocket(t *testing.T) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		t.Skip("unix sockets are not available on Windows")
+	}
+
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "netbird-http.sock")
+	addr := &net.UnixAddr{Name: path, Net: "unix"}
+	listener, err := net.ListenUnix("unix", addr)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	listener.SetUnlinkOnClose(false)
+	require.NoError(t, listener.Close())
+
+	_, err = os.Lstat(path)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "test setup must leave a stale Unix socket path")
+
+	removeStaleUnixSocket(path)
+
+	_, err = os.Lstat(path)
+	assert.True(t, os.IsNotExist(err), "expected stale Unix socket to be removed, got %v", err)
+}
+
+func TestRemoveStaleUnixSocketDoesNotRemoveLiveSocket(t *testing.T) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		t.Skip("unix sockets are not available on Windows")
+	}
+
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "netbird-http.sock")
+	listener, err := net.Listen("unix", path)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer listener.Close()
+
+	removeStaleUnixSocket(path)
+
+	_, err = os.Lstat(path)
+	assert.NoError(t, err, "expected live Unix socket to be preserved")
+}
+
+func testServiceEnvCommand() *cobra.Command {
+	cmd := &cobra.Command{}
+	cmd.Flags().StringSlice("service-env", nil, "")
+	return cmd
+}
+
+func indexOfArg(args []string, arg string) int {
+	for i, candidate := range args {
+		if candidate == arg {
+			return i
+		}
+	}
+	return -1
+}

client/cmd/service_params.go

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ const serviceParamsFile = "service.json"
 type serviceParams struct {
 	LogLevel              string            `json:"log_level"`
 	DaemonAddr            string            `json:"daemon_addr"`
+	JSONSocket            string            `json:"json_socket"`
 	ManagementURL         string            `json:"management_url,omitempty"`
 	ConfigPath            string            `json:"config_path,omitempty"`
 	LogFiles              []string          `json:"log_files,omitempty"`
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ type serviceParams struct {
 	DisableUpdateSettings bool              `json:"disable_update_settings,omitempty"`
 	EnableCapture         bool              `json:"enable_capture,omitempty"`
 	DisableNetworks       bool              `json:"disable_networks,omitempty"`
+	EnableJSONSocket      bool              `json:"enable_json_socket,omitempty"`
 	ServiceEnvVars        map[string]string `json:"service_env_vars,omitempty"`
 }
 
@@ -75,6 +77,7 @@ func currentServiceParams() *serviceParams {
 	params := &serviceParams{
 		LogLevel:              logLevel,
 		DaemonAddr:            daemonAddr,
+		JSONSocket:            jsonSocket,
 		ManagementURL:         managementURL,
 		ConfigPath:            configPath,
 		LogFiles:              logFiles,
@@ -82,6 +85,7 @@ func currentServiceParams() *serviceParams {
 		DisableUpdateSettings: updateSettingsDisabled,
 		EnableCapture:         captureEnabled,
 		DisableNetworks:       networksDisabled,
+		EnableJSONSocket:      enableJSONSocket,
 	}
 
 	if len(serviceEnvVars) > 0 {
@@ -113,9 +117,8 @@ func applyServiceParams(cmd *cobra.Command, params *serviceParams) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	// For fields with non-empty defaults (log-level, daemon-addr), keep the
-	// != "" guard so that an older service.json missing the field doesn't
-	// clobber the default with an empty string.
+	// For fields with non-empty defaults, keep the != "" guard so that an older
+	// service.json missing the field doesn't clobber the default with an empty string.
 	if !rootCmd.PersistentFlags().Changed("log-level") && params.LogLevel != "" {
 		logLevel = params.LogLevel
 	}
@@ -124,6 +127,14 @@ func applyServiceParams(cmd *cobra.Command, params *serviceParams) {
 		daemonAddr = params.DaemonAddr
 	}
 
+	if !serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().Changed("json-socket") && params.JSONSocket != "" {
+		jsonSocket = params.JSONSocket
+	}
+
+	if !serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().Changed("enable-json-socket") {
+		enableJSONSocket = params.EnableJSONSocket
+	}
+
 	// For optional fields where empty means "use default", always apply so
 	// that an explicit clear (--management-url "") persists across reinstalls.
 	if !rootCmd.PersistentFlags().Changed("management-url") {

client/cmd/service_params_test.go

@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ func TestSaveAndLoadServiceParams(t *testing.T) {
 	params := &serviceParams{
 		LogLevel:              "debug",
 		DaemonAddr:            "unix:///var/run/netbird.sock",
+		JSONSocket:            "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080",
+		EnableJSONSocket:      true,
 		ManagementURL:         "https://my.server.com",
 		ConfigPath:            "/etc/netbird/config.json",
 		LogFiles:              []string{"/var/log/netbird/client.log", "console"},
@@ -63,6 +65,8 @@ func TestSaveAndLoadServiceParams(t *testing.T) {
 
 	assert.Equal(t, params.LogLevel, loaded.LogLevel)
 	assert.Equal(t, params.DaemonAddr, loaded.DaemonAddr)
+	assert.Equal(t, params.JSONSocket, loaded.JSONSocket)
+	assert.Equal(t, params.EnableJSONSocket, loaded.EnableJSONSocket)
 	assert.Equal(t, params.ManagementURL, loaded.ManagementURL)
 	assert.Equal(t, params.ConfigPath, loaded.ConfigPath)
 	assert.Equal(t, params.LogFiles, loaded.LogFiles)
@@ -101,6 +105,8 @@ func TestLoadServiceParams_InvalidJSON(t *testing.T) {
 func TestCurrentServiceParams(t *testing.T) {
 	origLogLevel := logLevel
 	origDaemonAddr := daemonAddr
+	origJSONSocket := jsonSocket
+	origEnableJSONSocket := enableJSONSocket
 	origManagementURL := managementURL
 	origConfigPath := configPath
 	origLogFiles := logFiles
@@ -110,6 +116,8 @@ func TestCurrentServiceParams(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Cleanup(func() {
 		logLevel = origLogLevel
 		daemonAddr = origDaemonAddr
+		jsonSocket = origJSONSocket
+		enableJSONSocket = origEnableJSONSocket
 		managementURL = origManagementURL
 		configPath = origConfigPath
 		logFiles = origLogFiles
@@ -120,6 +128,8 @@ func TestCurrentServiceParams(t *testing.T) {
 
 	logLevel = "trace"
 	daemonAddr = "tcp://127.0.0.1:9999"
+	jsonSocket = "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080"
+	enableJSONSocket = true
 	managementURL = "https://mgmt.example.com"
 	configPath = "/tmp/test-config.json"
 	logFiles = []string{"/tmp/test.log"}
@@ -131,6 +141,8 @@ func TestCurrentServiceParams(t *testing.T) {
 
 	assert.Equal(t, "trace", params.LogLevel)
 	assert.Equal(t, "tcp://127.0.0.1:9999", params.DaemonAddr)
+	assert.Equal(t, "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080", params.JSONSocket)
+	assert.True(t, params.EnableJSONSocket)
 	assert.Equal(t, "https://mgmt.example.com", params.ManagementURL)
 	assert.Equal(t, "/tmp/test-config.json", params.ConfigPath)
 	assert.Equal(t, []string{"/tmp/test.log"}, params.LogFiles)
@@ -142,6 +154,8 @@ func TestCurrentServiceParams(t *testing.T) {
 func TestApplyServiceParams_OnlyUnchangedFlags(t *testing.T) {
 	origLogLevel := logLevel
 	origDaemonAddr := daemonAddr
+	origJSONSocket := jsonSocket
+	origEnableJSONSocket := enableJSONSocket
 	origManagementURL := managementURL
 	origConfigPath := configPath
 	origLogFiles := logFiles
@@ -151,6 +165,8 @@ func TestApplyServiceParams_OnlyUnchangedFlags(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Cleanup(func() {
 		logLevel = origLogLevel
 		daemonAddr = origDaemonAddr
+		jsonSocket = origJSONSocket
+		enableJSONSocket = origEnableJSONSocket
 		managementURL = origManagementURL
 		configPath = origConfigPath
 		logFiles = origLogFiles
@@ -162,6 +178,8 @@ func TestApplyServiceParams_OnlyUnchangedFlags(t *testing.T) {
 	// Reset all flags to defaults.
 	logLevel = "info"
 	daemonAddr = "unix:///var/run/netbird.sock"
+	jsonSocket = defaultJSONSocket
+	enableJSONSocket = false
 	managementURL = ""
 	configPath = "/etc/netbird/config.json"
 	logFiles = []string{"/var/log/netbird/client.log"}
@@ -184,6 +202,8 @@ func TestApplyServiceParams_OnlyUnchangedFlags(t *testing.T) {
 	saved := &serviceParams{
 		LogLevel:              "debug",
 		DaemonAddr:            "tcp://127.0.0.1:5555",
+		JSONSocket:            "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080",
+		EnableJSONSocket:      true,
 		ManagementURL:         "https://saved.example.com",
 		ConfigPath:            "/saved/config.json",
 		LogFiles:              []string{"/saved/client.log"},
@@ -201,6 +221,8 @@ func TestApplyServiceParams_OnlyUnchangedFlags(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// All other fields were not Changed, so they should use saved values.
 	assert.Equal(t, "tcp://127.0.0.1:5555", daemonAddr)
+	assert.Equal(t, "tcp://127.0.0.1:8080", jsonSocket)
+	assert.True(t, enableJSONSocket)
 	assert.Equal(t, "https://saved.example.com", managementURL)
 	assert.Equal(t, "/saved/config.json", configPath)
 	assert.Equal(t, []string{"/saved/client.log"}, logFiles)
@@ -212,14 +234,17 @@ func TestApplyServiceParams_OnlyUnchangedFlags(t *testing.T) {
 func TestApplyServiceParams_BooleanRevertToFalse(t *testing.T) {
 	origProfilesDisabled := profilesDisabled
 	origUpdateSettingsDisabled := updateSettingsDisabled
+	origEnableJSONSocket := enableJSONSocket
 	t.Cleanup(func() {
 		profilesDisabled = origProfilesDisabled
 		updateSettingsDisabled = origUpdateSettingsDisabled
+		enableJSONSocket = origEnableJSONSocket
 	})
 
 	// Simulate current state where booleans are true (e.g. set by previous install).
 	profilesDisabled = true
 	updateSettingsDisabled = true
+	enableJSONSocket = true
 
 	// Reset Changed state so flags appear unset.
 	serviceCmd.PersistentFlags().VisitAll(func(f *pflag.Flag) {
@@ -238,6 +263,7 @@ func TestApplyServiceParams_BooleanRevertToFalse(t *testing.T) {
 
 	assert.False(t, profilesDisabled, "saved false should override current true")
 	assert.False(t, updateSettingsDisabled, "saved false should override current true")
+	assert.False(t, enableJSONSocket, "saved false should override current true")
 }
 
 func TestApplyServiceParams_ClearManagementURL(t *testing.T) {
@@ -530,6 +556,7 @@ func fieldToGlobalVar(field string) string {
 	m := map[string]string{
 		"LogLevel":              "logLevel",
 		"DaemonAddr":            "daemonAddr",
+		"JSONSocket":            "jsonSocket",
 		"ManagementURL":         "managementURL",
 		"ConfigPath":            "configPath",
 		"LogFiles":              "logFiles",
@@ -537,6 +564,7 @@ func fieldToGlobalVar(field string) string {
 		"DisableUpdateSettings": "updateSettingsDisabled",
 		"EnableCapture":         "captureEnabled",
 		"DisableNetworks":       "networksDisabled",
+		"EnableJSONSocket":      "enableJSONSocket",
 		"ServiceEnvVars":        "serviceEnvVars",
 	}
 	if v, ok := m[field]; ok {

client/cmd/service_socket.go

@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+//go:build !ios && !android
+
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"syscall"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+type socketListener struct {
+	net.Listener
+	network string
+	address string
+}
+
+func listenOnAddress(addr string) (*socketListener, error) {
+	network, address, err := parseListenAddress(addr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if network == "unix" {
+		removeStaleUnixSocket(address)
+	}
+
+	listener, err := net.Listen(network, address)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return &socketListener{Listener: listener, network: network, address: address}, nil
+}
+
+func parseListenAddress(addr string) (string, string, error) {
+	network, address, ok := strings.Cut(addr, "://")
+	if !ok || network == "" || address == "" {
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("address must be in [unix|tcp]://[path|host:port] format: %q", addr)
+	}
+
+	switch network {
+	case "unix", "tcp":
+		return network, address, nil
+	default:
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("unsupported daemon address protocol: %v", network)
+	}
+}
+
+func removeStaleUnixSocket(path string) {
+	stat, err := os.Lstat(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		if !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			log.Debugf("stat socket file: %v", err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	if stat.Mode()&os.ModeSocket == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	if !isStaleUnixSocket(path) {
+		return
+	}
+
+	if err := os.Remove(path); err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("remove socket file: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func isStaleUnixSocket(path string) bool {
+	conn, err := net.DialTimeout("unix", path, 100*time.Millisecond)
+	if err == nil {
+		if closeErr := conn.Close(); closeErr != nil {
+			log.Debugf("close unix socket probe: %v", closeErr)
+		}
+		return false
+	}
+
+	if os.IsNotExist(err) || os.IsPermission(err) || os.IsTimeout(err) {
+		log.Debugf("not removing unix socket %s after probe error: %v", path, err)
+		return false
+	}
+
+	return errors.Is(err, syscall.ECONNREFUSED)
+}
+
+func removeStaleUnixSocketForAddress(addr string) {
+	network, address, err := parseListenAddress(addr)
+	if err != nil || network != "unix" {
+		return
+	}
+	removeStaleUnixSocket(address)
+}
+
+func (l *socketListener) chmodUnixSocket(description string) error {
+	if l == nil || l.network != "unix" {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if err := os.Chmod(l.address, 0666); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed setting %s permissions for %s: %w", description, l.address, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}

client/cmd/status.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
 	"strings"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/status"
@@ -115,6 +116,11 @@ func statusFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	// manager only knows the active profile ID, not its display name.
 	profName := getActiveProfileName(ctx)
 
+	var sessionExpiresAt time.Time
+	if ts := resp.GetSessionExpiresAt(); ts.IsValid() {
+		sessionExpiresAt = ts.AsTime().UTC()
+	}
+
 	var outputInformationHolder = nbstatus.ConvertToStatusOutputOverview(resp.GetFullStatus(), nbstatus.ConvertOptions{
 		Anonymize:            anonymizeFlag,
 		DaemonVersion:        resp.GetDaemonVersion(),
@@ -125,6 +131,7 @@ func statusFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		IPsFilter:            ipsFilterMap,
 		ConnectionTypeFilter: connectionTypeFilter,
 		ProfileName:          profName,
+		SessionExpiresAt:     sessionExpiresAt,
 	})
 	var statusOutputString string
 	switch {

client/cmd/up.go

@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+	nbnet "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/net"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/server"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
@@ -229,6 +231,24 @@ func runInForegroundMode(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, activeProf *pr
 
 	_, _ = profilemanager.UpdateOldManagementURL(ctx, config, configFilePath)
 
+	// Restore residual state left by a previous run that did not shut down
+	// cleanly, mirroring what the daemon does before connecting: it recovers
+	// DNS config (a stale resolv.conf takeover can make the management
+	// hostname unresolvable), firewall rules, ssh config and legacy routing.
+	// Route cleanup itself happens at engine start; nbnet.Init() below lets
+	// the management dial bypass a leftover fwmark rule until then.
+	// Foreground mode is particularly exposed in containers: a crashed
+	// container restarts inside the same (pod) network namespace, so stale
+	// state survives while the process does not.
+	if err := server.RestoreResidualState(ctx, profilemanager.NewServiceManager(configPath).GetStatePath()); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to restore residual state: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Enable advanced routing (as the daemon does on startup) so the
+	// management dial bypasses a leftover fwmark rule instead of being
+	// shunted into a stale routing table.
+	nbnet.Init()
+
 	err = foregroundLogin(ctx, cmd, config, providedSetupKey, activeProf.ID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("foreground login failed: %v", err)
@@ -479,10 +499,6 @@ func setupSetConfigReq(customDNSAddressConverted []byte, cmd *cobra.Command, pro
 		req.DisableIpv6 = &disableIPv6
 	}
 
-	if cmd.Flag(enableLazyConnectionFlag).Changed {
-		req.LazyConnectionEnabled = &lazyConnEnabled
-	}
-
 	return &req
 }
 
@@ -600,9 +616,6 @@ func setupConfig(customDNSAddressConverted []byte, cmd *cobra.Command, configFil
 		ic.DisableIPv6 = &disableIPv6
 	}
 
-	if cmd.Flag(enableLazyConnectionFlag).Changed {
-		ic.LazyConnectionEnabled = &lazyConnEnabled
-	}
 	return &ic, nil
 }
 
@@ -718,9 +731,6 @@ func setupLoginRequest(providedSetupKey string, customDNSAddressConverted []byte
 		loginRequest.DisableIpv6 = &disableIPv6
 	}
 
-	if cmd.Flag(enableLazyConnectionFlag).Changed {
-		loginRequest.LazyConnectionEnabled = &lazyConnEnabled
-	}
 	return &loginRequest, nil
 }
 

client/embed/embed.go

@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ func (c *Client) Status() (peer.FullStatus, error) {
 	if connect != nil {
 		engine := connect.Engine()
 		if engine != nil {
-			_ = engine.RunHealthProbes(false)
+			_ = engine.RunHealthProbes(context.Background(), false)
 		}
 	}
 

client/firewall/uspfilter/filter.go

@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ type Manager struct {
 	udpTracker     *conntrack.UDPTracker
 	icmpTracker    *conntrack.ICMPTracker
 	tcpTracker     *conntrack.TCPTracker
+	fragments      *fragmentTracker
 	forwarder      atomic.Pointer[forwarder.Forwarder]
 	pendingCapture atomic.Pointer[forwarder.PacketCapture]
 	logger         *nblog.Logger
@@ -183,6 +184,41 @@ func (d *decoder) decodePacket(data []byte) error {
 	}
 }
 
+// decodeTransport decodes the transport header of a first fragment (which
+// gopacket leaves undecoded) into the decoder and appends its layer type to
+// decoded, so the ACL pipeline can evaluate it like a normal packet. It returns
+// false if the protocol is unsupported or the header is truncated.
+func (d *decoder) decodeTransport(proto layers.IPProtocol, payload []byte) bool {
+	var l4 gopacket.DecodingLayer
+	var layerType gopacket.LayerType
+	var minLen int
+	switch proto {
+	case layers.IPProtocolTCP:
+		l4, layerType, minLen = &d.tcp, layers.LayerTypeTCP, 20
+	case layers.IPProtocolUDP:
+		l4, layerType, minLen = &d.udp, layers.LayerTypeUDP, 8
+	case layers.IPProtocolICMPv4:
+		l4, layerType, minLen = &d.icmp4, layers.LayerTypeICMPv4, 8
+	case layers.IPProtocolICMPv6:
+		l4, layerType, minLen = &d.icmp6, layers.LayerTypeICMPv6, 8
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+
+	// Reject a fragment too small to hold the full transport header before
+	// decoding: it can't be ACL-evaluated (tiny-fragment attack), and skipping
+	// the decode avoids gopacket allocating an error on the drop path.
+	if len(payload) < minLen {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	if err := l4.DecodeFromBytes(payload, gopacket.NilDecodeFeedback); err != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	d.decoded = append(d.decoded, layerType)
+	return true
+}
+
 // Create userspace firewall manager constructor
 func Create(iface common.IFaceMapper, disableServerRoutes bool, flowLogger nftypes.FlowLogger, mtu uint16) (*Manager, error) {
 	return create(iface, nil, disableServerRoutes, flowLogger, mtu)
@@ -286,6 +322,8 @@ func create(iface common.IFaceMapper, nativeFirewall firewall.Manager, disableSe
 	if err := m.localipmanager.UpdateLocalIPs(iface); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("update local IPs: %w", err)
 	}
+	m.fragments = newFragmentTracker(m.logger)
+
 	if disableConntrack {
 		log.Info("conntrack is disabled")
 	} else {
@@ -299,6 +337,7 @@ func create(iface common.IFaceMapper, nativeFirewall firewall.Manager, disableSe
 		}
 	}
 	if err := iface.SetFilter(m); err != nil {
+		m.fragments.Close()
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("set filter: %w", err)
 	}
 	return m, nil
@@ -694,6 +733,10 @@ func (m *Manager) resetState() {
 		m.tcpTracker.Close()
 	}
 
+	if m.fragments != nil {
+		m.fragments.Close()
+	}
+
 	if fwder := m.forwarder.Load(); fwder != nil {
 		fwder.SetCapture(nil)
 		fwder.Stop()
@@ -1046,19 +1089,20 @@ func (m *Manager) filterInbound(packetData []byte, size int) bool {
 		return true
 	}
 
-	// TODO: pass fragments of routed packets to forwarder
+	// gopacket does not decode the transport header of any IP fragment, so
+	// fragments take a dedicated path: the first fragment's header is decoded
+	// and ACL-evaluated here, and the remaining fragments inherit its verdict.
 	if fragment {
-		if m.logger.Enabled(nblog.LevelTrace) {
-			if d.decoded[0] == layers.LayerTypeIPv4 {
-				m.logger.Trace4("packet is a fragment: src=%v dst=%v id=%v flags=%v",
-					srcIP, dstIP, d.ip4.Id, d.ip4.Flags)
-			} else {
-				m.logger.Trace2("packet is an IPv6 fragment: src=%v dst=%v", srcIP, dstIP)
-			}
-		}
-		return false
+		return m.filterInboundFragment(d, srcIP, dstIP, size)
 	}
 
+	return m.filterInboundDecoded(d, srcIP, dstIP, packetData, size)
+}
+
+// filterInboundDecoded runs the ACL, DNAT and conntrack pipeline on a fully
+// decoded (non-fragment) inbound packet. It returns true if the packet should
+// be dropped.
+func (m *Manager) filterInboundDecoded(d *decoder, srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr, packetData []byte, size int) bool {
 	// TODO: optimize port DNAT by caching matched rules in conntrack
 	if translated := m.translateInboundPortDNAT(packetData, d, srcIP, dstIP); translated {
 		// Re-decode after port DNAT translation to update port information
@@ -1089,33 +1133,226 @@ func (m *Manager) filterInbound(packetData []byte, size int) bool {
 	return m.handleRoutedTraffic(d, srcIP, dstIP, packetData, size)
 }
 
+// fragmentMeta holds the reassembly identity and layout of an IP fragment,
+// extracted uniformly for IPv4 and IPv6.
+type fragmentMeta struct {
+	key fragmentKey
+	// offset is the fragment offset in 8-byte units (zero for the first
+	// fragment).
+	offset uint16
+	// moreFragments is the More Fragments bit. A first fragment with it unset is
+	// an IPv6 atomic fragment (a complete datagram, RFC 6946): it has no trailing
+	// fragments to inherit a verdict, so it must not be recorded.
+	moreFragments bool
+	proto         layers.IPProtocol
+	// l4payload is the fragmentable payload of this fragment. For the first
+	// fragment it starts with the transport header.
+	l4payload []byte
+	// headerEndOctets is the first fragment's payload length in 8-byte units:
+	// the smallest offset a trailing fragment may start at without overlapping
+	// the inspected transport header.
+	headerEndOctets uint16
+}
+
+// fragmentMetadata extracts the fragment identity and layout from a decoded IP
+// fragment. It returns false for fragments it can't interpret (e.g. an IPv6
+// fragment header shorter than 8 bytes), which are then dropped.
+func fragmentMetadata(d *decoder, srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr) (fragmentMeta, bool) {
+	switch d.decoded[0] {
+	case layers.LayerTypeIPv4:
+		payload := d.ip4.Payload
+		return fragmentMeta{
+			key:             fragmentKey{srcIP: srcIP, dstIP: dstIP, id: uint32(d.ip4.Id), proto: uint8(d.ip4.Protocol)},
+			offset:          d.ip4.FragOffset,
+			moreFragments:   d.ip4.Flags&layers.IPv4MoreFragments != 0,
+			proto:           d.ip4.Protocol,
+			l4payload:       payload,
+			headerEndOctets: octets(len(payload)),
+		}, true
+
+	case layers.LayerTypeIPv6:
+		// IPv6 fragment extension header: 8 bytes, followed by the fragmentable
+		// payload. Layout: next header (1), reserved (1), offset+flags (2), id (4).
+		payload := d.ip6.Payload
+		if len(payload) < 8 {
+			return fragmentMeta{}, false
+		}
+		nextHeader := layers.IPProtocol(payload[0])
+		offsetFlags := binary.BigEndian.Uint16(payload[2:4])
+		id := binary.BigEndian.Uint32(payload[4:8])
+		l4 := payload[8:]
+		return fragmentMeta{
+			key:             fragmentKey{srcIP: srcIP, dstIP: dstIP, id: id, proto: uint8(nextHeader)},
+			offset:          offsetFlags >> 3,
+			moreFragments:   offsetFlags&1 != 0,
+			proto:           nextHeader,
+			l4payload:       l4,
+			headerEndOctets: octets(len(l4)),
+		}, true
+
+	default:
+		return fragmentMeta{}, false
+	}
+}
+
+// octets rounds a byte length up to whole 8-byte units, the granularity of the
+// IP fragment offset field.
+func octets(nbytes int) uint16 {
+	return uint16((nbytes + 7) / 8)
+}
+
+// filterInboundFragment decides the fate of an IP fragment. gopacket stops
+// decoding at the network layer for every fragment, so the first fragment's
+// transport header is decoded and ACL-evaluated here and its verdict recorded;
+// the remaining (headerless) fragments inherit that verdict. Anything that
+// cannot be tied to an allowed, non-overlapping first fragment is dropped.
+func (m *Manager) filterInboundFragment(d *decoder, srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr, size int) bool {
+	meta, ok := fragmentMetadata(d, srcIP, dstIP)
+	if !ok {
+		if m.logger.Enabled(nblog.LevelTrace) {
+			m.logger.Trace2("dropping unsupported fragment: src=%v dst=%v", srcIP, dstIP)
+		}
+		return true
+	}
+
+	if meta.offset != 0 {
+		return m.filterTrailingFragment(meta, srcIP, dstIP)
+	}
+
+	// A new first fragment supersedes any recorded verdict for this datagram, so
+	// a re-sent or overlapping offset-zero fragment can't inherit the old one.
+	m.fragments.poison(meta.key)
+
+	// First fragment: decode its transport header so the ACL can evaluate it. A
+	// decode failure means the fragment is too small to hold the full transport
+	// header (RFC 1858 §3 tiny-fragment attack); it can't be evaluated, so drop it.
+	if !d.decodeTransport(meta.proto, meta.l4payload) {
+		if m.logger.Enabled(nblog.LevelTrace) {
+			m.logger.Trace3("dropping first fragment without full L4 header: src=%v dst=%v id=%v",
+				srcIP, dstIP, meta.key.id)
+		}
+		return true
+	}
+
+	return m.filterFirstFragment(d, meta, srcIP, dstIP, size)
+}
+
+// filterTrailingFragment applies a recorded first-fragment verdict to a
+// non-first fragment.
+func (m *Manager) filterTrailingFragment(meta fragmentMeta, srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr) bool {
+	switch m.fragments.verdict(meta.key, meta.offset) {
+	case fragmentAllow:
+		return false
+	case fragmentOverlap:
+		if m.logger.Enabled(nblog.LevelTrace) {
+			m.logger.Trace3("dropping overlapping fragment rewriting inspected header: src=%v dst=%v id=%v",
+				srcIP, dstIP, meta.key.id)
+		}
+		return true
+	default:
+		if m.logger.Enabled(nblog.LevelTrace) {
+			m.logger.Trace3("dropping fragment with no allowed first fragment: src=%v dst=%v id=%v",
+				srcIP, dstIP, meta.key.id)
+		}
+		return true
+	}
+}
+
+// filterFirstFragment runs the verdict part of the inbound pipeline on a first
+// fragment with its transport header decoded. It mirrors filterInboundDecoded
+// but skips DNAT (port rewriting on fragments is unsupported) and forwarder
+// injection (fragments are left to the stack to reassemble, not forwarded).
+// Allowed fragments have their verdict recorded so the datagram's trailing
+// fragments inherit it.
+func (m *Manager) filterFirstFragment(d *decoder, meta fragmentMeta, srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr, size int) bool {
+	if m.stateful && m.isValidTrackedConnection(d, srcIP, dstIP, size) {
+		m.recordFirstFragment(meta)
+		return false
+	}
+
+	if m.localipmanager.IsLocalIP(dstIP) {
+		ruleID, blocked := m.peerACLsBlock(srcIP, d, nil)
+		if blocked {
+			m.storeDropFlow("Dropping local first fragment (ACL denied): rule_id=%s proto=%v src=%s:%d dst=%s:%d",
+				d, srcIP, dstIP, ruleID, size)
+			return true
+		}
+		m.trackInbound(d, srcIP, dstIP, ruleID, size)
+		m.recordFirstFragment(meta)
+		return false
+	}
+
+	if !m.routingEnabled.Load() {
+		if m.logger.Enabled(nblog.LevelTrace) {
+			m.logger.Trace2("Dropping routed fragment (routing disabled): src=%s dst=%s", srcIP, dstIP)
+		}
+		return true
+	}
+	if m.nativeRouter.Load() {
+		m.trackInbound(d, srcIP, dstIP, nil, size)
+		m.recordFirstFragment(meta)
+		return false
+	}
+
+	// TODO: pass fragments of routed packets to the forwarder; until then
+	// allowed routed fragments go to the native stack.
+	srcPort, dstPort := getPortsFromPacket(d)
+	ruleID, pass := m.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, d.decoded[1], srcPort, dstPort)
+	if !pass {
+		m.storeDropFlow("Dropping routed first fragment (ACL denied): rule_id=%s proto=%v src=%s:%d dst=%s:%d",
+			d, srcIP, dstIP, ruleID, size)
+		return true
+	}
+
+	m.recordFirstFragment(meta)
+	return false
+}
+
+// recordFirstFragment caches an allowed first fragment's verdict for its
+// trailing fragments to inherit. Atomic fragments (no More Fragments bit) are
+// complete datagrams with no trailing fragments, so they are not cached and
+// cannot exhaust the verdict table.
+func (m *Manager) recordFirstFragment(meta fragmentMeta) {
+	if !meta.moreFragments {
+		return
+	}
+	m.fragments.recordAllowed(meta.key, meta.headerEndOctets)
+}
+
+// storeDropFlow logs and records a netflow drop event for an inbound packet
+// denied by the ACLs. msg is the trace format taking rule id, protocol, source
+// and destination.
+func (m *Manager) storeDropFlow(msg string, d *decoder, srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr, ruleID []byte, size int) {
+	pnum := getProtocolFromPacket(d)
+	srcPort, dstPort := getPortsFromPacket(d)
+
+	if m.logger.Enabled(nblog.LevelTrace) {
+		m.logger.Trace6(msg, ruleID, pnum, srcIP, srcPort, dstIP, dstPort)
+	}
+
+	m.flowLogger.StoreEvent(nftypes.EventFields{
+		FlowID:     uuid.New(),
+		Type:       nftypes.TypeDrop,
+		RuleID:     ruleID,
+		Direction:  nftypes.Ingress,
+		Protocol:   pnum,
+		SourceIP:   srcIP,
+		DestIP:     dstIP,
+		SourcePort: srcPort,
+		DestPort:   dstPort,
+		// TODO: icmp type/code
+		RxPackets: 1,
+		RxBytes:   uint64(size),
+	})
+}
+
 // handleLocalTraffic handles local traffic.
 // If it returns true, the packet should be dropped.
 func (m *Manager) handleLocalTraffic(d *decoder, srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr, packetData []byte, size int) bool {
 	ruleID, blocked := m.peerACLsBlock(srcIP, d, packetData)
 	if blocked {
-		pnum := getProtocolFromPacket(d)
-		srcPort, dstPort := getPortsFromPacket(d)
-
-		if m.logger.Enabled(nblog.LevelTrace) {
-			m.logger.Trace6("Dropping local packet (ACL denied): rule_id=%s proto=%v src=%s:%d dst=%s:%d",
-				ruleID, pnum, srcIP, srcPort, dstIP, dstPort)
-		}
-
-		m.flowLogger.StoreEvent(nftypes.EventFields{
-			FlowID:     uuid.New(),
-			Type:       nftypes.TypeDrop,
-			RuleID:     ruleID,
-			Direction:  nftypes.Ingress,
-			Protocol:   pnum,
-			SourceIP:   srcIP,
-			DestIP:     dstIP,
-			SourcePort: srcPort,
-			DestPort:   dstPort,
-			// TODO: icmp type/code
-			RxPackets: 1,
-			RxBytes:   uint64(size),
-		})
+		m.storeDropFlow("Dropping local packet (ACL denied): rule_id=%s proto=%v src=%s:%d dst=%s:%d",
+			d, srcIP, dstIP, ruleID, size)
 		return true
 	}
 
@@ -1168,27 +1405,8 @@ func (m *Manager) handleRoutedTraffic(d *decoder, srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr, packe
 
 	ruleID, pass := m.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, protoLayer, srcPort, dstPort)
 	if !pass {
-		proto := getProtocolFromPacket(d)
-
-		if m.logger.Enabled(nblog.LevelTrace) {
-			m.logger.Trace6("Dropping routed packet (ACL denied): rule_id=%s proto=%v src=%s:%d dst=%s:%d",
-				ruleID, proto, srcIP, srcPort, dstIP, dstPort)
-		}
-
-		m.flowLogger.StoreEvent(nftypes.EventFields{
-			FlowID:     uuid.New(),
-			Type:       nftypes.TypeDrop,
-			RuleID:     ruleID,
-			Direction:  nftypes.Ingress,
-			Protocol:   proto,
-			SourceIP:   srcIP,
-			DestIP:     dstIP,
-			SourcePort: srcPort,
-			DestPort:   dstPort,
-			// TODO: icmp type/code
-			RxPackets: 1,
-			RxBytes:   uint64(size),
-		})
+		m.storeDropFlow("Dropping routed packet (ACL denied): rule_id=%s proto=%v src=%s:%d dst=%s:%d",
+			d, srcIP, dstIP, ruleID, size)
 		return true
 	}
 

client/firewall/uspfilter/forwarder/forwarder.go

@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
+	"os"
 	"runtime"
+	"strconv"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
@@ -31,6 +33,11 @@ const (
 	defaultMaxInFlight   = 1024
 	iosReceiveWindow     = 16384
 	iosMaxInFlight       = 256
+
+	// envForceTCPRACK overrides the platform default for gVisor's RACK loss
+	// detection. Set to a truthy value to force RACK on, or a falsy value to
+	// force it off, on any platform.
+	envForceTCPRACK = "NB_FORCE_TCP_RACK"
 )
 
 type Forwarder struct {
@@ -152,6 +159,8 @@ func New(iface common.IFaceMapper, logger *nblog.Logger, flowLogger nftypes.Flow
 		maxInFlight = iosMaxInFlight
 	}
 
+	configureTCPRecovery(s)
+
 	tcpForwarder := tcp.NewForwarder(s, receiveWindow, maxInFlight, f.handleTCP)
 	s.SetTransportProtocolHandler(tcp.ProtocolNumber, tcpForwarder.HandlePacket)
 
@@ -466,3 +475,31 @@ func probeRawICMP(network, addr string, logger *nblog.Logger) bool {
 	logger.Debug1("forwarder: raw %s socket access available", network)
 	return true
 }
+
+// configureTCPRecovery disables gVisor's RACK loss detection on Windows, where
+// it interacts poorly with the host and collapses throughput on routed TCP
+// connections (gVisor issue #9778). Other platforms keep the default. The
+// EnvForceTCPRACK environment variable overrides the platform default.
+func configureTCPRecovery(s *stack.Stack) {
+	disableRACK := runtime.GOOS == "windows"
+
+	if val := os.Getenv(envForceTCPRACK); val != "" {
+		force, err := strconv.ParseBool(val)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("parse %s: %v", envForceTCPRACK, err)
+		} else {
+			disableRACK = !force
+		}
+	}
+
+	if !disableRACK {
+		return
+	}
+
+	opt := tcpip.TCPRecovery(0)
+	if err := s.SetTransportProtocolOption(tcp.ProtocolNumber, &opt); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("disable TCP RACK loss detection: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	log.Info("forwarder: TCP RACK loss detection disabled")
+}

client/firewall/uspfilter/fragment.go

@@ -0,0 +1,204 @@
+package uspfilter
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"net/netip"
+	"os"
+	"strconv"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	nblog "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/uspfilter/log"
+)
+
+const (
+	// defaultFragmentTimeout bounds how long a first-fragment verdict is kept
+	// while the remaining fragments arrive. It mirrors the Linux IP reassembly
+	// timeout (net.ipv4.ipfrag_time).
+	defaultFragmentTimeout = 30 * time.Second
+	// fragmentCleanupInterval is how often expired verdicts are purged.
+	fragmentCleanupInterval = 10 * time.Second
+	// defaultMaxFragmentEntries caps the number of concurrently tracked
+	// fragmented datagrams. The table stays bounded because each datagram is a
+	// single small entry regardless of how many fragments it is split into, and
+	// the 13-bit IPv4 fragment-offset field limits any datagram to 64 KiB.
+	defaultMaxFragmentEntries = 16384
+
+	// EnvFragmentMaxEntries overrides defaultMaxFragmentEntries.
+	EnvFragmentMaxEntries = "NB_FRAGMENT_MAX_ENTRIES"
+)
+
+// fragmentVerdict is the decision for a trailing (headerless) fragment.
+type fragmentVerdict int
+
+const (
+	// fragmentDeny drops the fragment: no allowed first fragment is on record.
+	fragmentDeny fragmentVerdict = iota
+	// fragmentAllow passes the fragment: it belongs to an allowed datagram and
+	// does not overlap the already-inspected transport header.
+	fragmentAllow
+	// fragmentOverlap drops the fragment and poisons its datagram: it overlaps
+	// the transport header the ACL inspected (RFC 1858 §4, RFC 3128; RFC 5722
+	// requires discarding the whole datagram on overlap for IPv6).
+	fragmentOverlap
+)
+
+// fragmentKey identifies a fragmented datagram. It matches the RFC 791 / RFC
+// 8200 reassembly key: source, destination, protocol and identification. The id
+// is 32-bit to hold both the IPv4 (16-bit) and IPv6 (32-bit) identification.
+type fragmentKey struct {
+	srcIP netip.Addr
+	dstIP netip.Addr
+	id    uint32
+	proto uint8
+}
+
+// fragmentEntry records the verdict of an allowed first fragment.
+type fragmentEntry struct {
+	// headerEndOctets is the offset, in 8-byte units, at which the first
+	// fragment's payload ended. A trailing fragment starting before this
+	// overlaps bytes the ACL already inspected and is rejected.
+	headerEndOctets uint16
+	// recordedAt is when the first fragment was accepted. The verdict expires a
+	// fixed timeout later and is not refreshed, mirroring the kernel reassembly
+	// timer so a trailing-fragment flood can't keep a datagram alive.
+	recordedAt time.Time
+}
+
+// fragmentTracker records the ACL verdict of a datagram's first fragment so the
+// remaining fragments, which carry no L4 header, can inherit the decision
+// without reassembling the datagram. Only allowed first fragments are stored;
+// anything that cannot be tied to an allowed, non-overlapping first fragment is
+// dropped (fail closed).
+type fragmentTracker struct {
+	logger  *nblog.Logger
+	mutex   sync.Mutex
+	entries map[fragmentKey]fragmentEntry
+	timeout time.Duration
+	// maxEntries caps the table; atCapacity dedups the capacity warning until
+	// the table drains below the cap again.
+	maxEntries    int
+	atCapacity    bool
+	cleanupTicker *time.Ticker
+	cancel        context.CancelFunc
+}
+
+func newFragmentTracker(logger *nblog.Logger) *fragmentTracker {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	t := &fragmentTracker{
+		logger:        logger,
+		entries:       make(map[fragmentKey]fragmentEntry),
+		timeout:       defaultFragmentTimeout,
+		maxEntries:    fragmentMaxEntries(logger),
+		cleanupTicker: time.NewTicker(fragmentCleanupInterval),
+		cancel:        cancel,
+	}
+	go t.cleanupRoutine(ctx)
+	return t
+}
+
+func fragmentMaxEntries(logger *nblog.Logger) int {
+	v := os.Getenv(EnvFragmentMaxEntries)
+	if v == "" {
+		return defaultMaxFragmentEntries
+	}
+	n, err := strconv.Atoi(v)
+	if err != nil || n <= 0 {
+		logger.Warn2("invalid %s=%q, using default", EnvFragmentMaxEntries, v)
+		return defaultMaxFragmentEntries
+	}
+	return n
+}
+
+// recordAllowed stores the verdict of an allowed first fragment. headerEndOctets
+// is the first fragment's payload length in 8-byte units. When the table is full
+// the record is dropped, which fails closed: the datagram's trailing fragments
+// will be denied.
+func (t *fragmentTracker) recordAllowed(key fragmentKey, headerEndOctets uint16) {
+	t.mutex.Lock()
+	defer t.mutex.Unlock()
+
+	if t.entries == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if _, ok := t.entries[key]; !ok && len(t.entries) >= t.maxEntries {
+		if !t.atCapacity {
+			t.atCapacity = true
+			t.logger.Warn2("fragment verdict table at capacity (%d/%d): trailing fragments of new datagrams will be dropped",
+				len(t.entries), t.maxEntries)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	t.entries[key] = fragmentEntry{
+		headerEndOctets: headerEndOctets,
+		recordedAt:      time.Now(),
+	}
+}
+
+// poison drops any recorded verdict for a datagram, so its later fragments are
+// denied until a new allowed first fragment is recorded. Called on every
+// offset-zero fragment to defeat offset-zero overlap rewrites (RFC 3128).
+func (t *fragmentTracker) poison(key fragmentKey) {
+	t.mutex.Lock()
+	defer t.mutex.Unlock()
+	delete(t.entries, key)
+}
+
+// verdict decides the fate of a trailing fragment at fragOffsetOctets (the IPv4
+// fragment offset, in 8-byte units). A fragment overlapping the inspected
+// header poisons the datagram: the entry is removed so all further fragments of
+// that datagram are denied too.
+func (t *fragmentTracker) verdict(key fragmentKey, fragOffsetOctets uint16) fragmentVerdict {
+	t.mutex.Lock()
+	defer t.mutex.Unlock()
+
+	entry, ok := t.entries[key]
+	if !ok {
+		return fragmentDeny
+	}
+	if time.Since(entry.recordedAt) > t.timeout {
+		delete(t.entries, key)
+		return fragmentDeny
+	}
+	if fragOffsetOctets < entry.headerEndOctets {
+		delete(t.entries, key)
+		return fragmentOverlap
+	}
+	return fragmentAllow
+}
+
+func (t *fragmentTracker) cleanupRoutine(ctx context.Context) {
+	defer t.cleanupTicker.Stop()
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-t.cleanupTicker.C:
+			t.cleanup()
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (t *fragmentTracker) cleanup() {
+	t.mutex.Lock()
+	defer t.mutex.Unlock()
+
+	for key, entry := range t.entries {
+		if time.Since(entry.recordedAt) > t.timeout {
+			delete(t.entries, key)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if len(t.entries) < t.maxEntries {
+		t.atCapacity = false
+	}
+}
+
+// Close stops the cleanup routine and releases resources.
+func (t *fragmentTracker) Close() {
+	t.cancel()
+
+	t.mutex.Lock()
+	t.entries = nil
+	t.mutex.Unlock()
+}

client/firewall/uspfilter/fragment_bench_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+package uspfilter
+
+import (
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// benchFilterInbound drives filterInbound over a fixed packet in a tight loop.
+// Packets are built once, outside the timed region, so the benchmark measures
+// only pipeline cost, which is what an attacker can amplify.
+func benchFilterInbound(b *testing.B, pkt []byte) {
+	b.Helper()
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	b.SetBytes(int64(len(pkt)))
+	b.ResetTimer()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		m := benchManager
+		m.filterInbound(pkt, len(pkt))
+	}
+}
+
+// benchManager is a package-level manager reused across fragment benchmarks so
+// setup cost stays out of the timed region.
+var benchManager *Manager
+
+func setupBenchManager(b *testing.B) *Manager {
+	b.Helper()
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(b)
+	allowUDP(b, m, 8080)
+	// Disable conntrack so the allowed-first-fragment path measures transport
+	// decode + ACL every iteration instead of matching the connection tracked
+	// on the first iteration.
+	m.stateful = false
+	benchManager = m
+	return m
+}
+
+// BenchmarkInbound_NormalPacket is the baseline: a full, non-fragmented UDP
+// packet that passes the ACL. Fragment paths should stay comparable to this.
+func BenchmarkInbound_NormalPacket(b *testing.B) {
+	setupBenchManager(b)
+	pkt := normalUDPPacket(b, 8080, 32)
+	benchFilterInbound(b, pkt)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkInbound_FirstFragmentAllowed measures the first-fragment path:
+// transport decode + ACL evaluation + verdict record.
+func BenchmarkInbound_FirstFragmentAllowed(b *testing.B) {
+	setupBenchManager(b)
+	pkt := firstFragmentUDP(b, 0x2000, 8080, 32)
+	benchFilterInbound(b, pkt)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkInbound_TrailingFragmentAllowed measures the common trailing-fragment
+// path: a single map lookup after the first fragment is on record.
+func BenchmarkInbound_TrailingFragmentAllowed(b *testing.B) {
+	m := setupBenchManager(b)
+	first := firstFragmentUDP(b, 0x3000, 8080, 32)
+	m.filterInbound(first, len(first))
+	pkt := trailingFragment(b, 0x3000, 5, false, 24)
+	benchFilterInbound(b, pkt)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkInbound_TrailingFragmentNoFirst is the primary DoS vector: an
+// attacker floods trailing fragments with no first fragment on record. Each is
+// a map miss and must be cheap.
+func BenchmarkInbound_TrailingFragmentNoFirst(b *testing.B) {
+	setupBenchManager(b)
+	pkt := trailingFragment(b, 0x4000, 185, false, 40)
+	benchFilterInbound(b, pkt)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkInbound_TinyFirstFragment measures the tiny-fragment drop path: a
+// first fragment too small to decode a transport header.
+func BenchmarkInbound_TinyFirstFragment(b *testing.B) {
+	setupBenchManager(b)
+	pkt := trailingFragment(b, 0x5000, 0, true, 4)
+	benchFilterInbound(b, pkt)
+}
+
+// BenchmarkInbound_TrailingFragmentDistinctIDs is the worst case for the
+// verdict table: an attacker varies the datagram id on every packet so no first
+// fragment ever matches. Verdict lookups always miss and nothing is recorded,
+// so the table cannot grow. Each iteration rewrites the id field in place.
+func BenchmarkInbound_TrailingFragmentDistinctIDs(b *testing.B) {
+	setupBenchManager(b)
+	pkt := trailingFragment(b, 0x6000, 185, false, 40)
+	m := benchManager
+
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	b.SetBytes(int64(len(pkt)))
+	b.ResetTimer()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		// IPv4 identification field is at bytes 4:6.
+		binary.BigEndian.PutUint16(pkt[4:6], uint16(i))
+		m.filterInbound(pkt, len(pkt))
+	}
+}
+
+// BenchmarkInbound_FirstFragmentDistinctIDs measures sustained first-fragment
+// pressure with distinct ids: transport decode + ACL + verdict insert until the
+// table caps, exercising the map growth and capacity guard.
+func BenchmarkInbound_FirstFragmentDistinctIDs(b *testing.B) {
+	setupBenchManager(b)
+	pkt := firstFragmentUDP(b, 0x7000, 8080, 32)
+	m := benchManager
+
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	b.SetBytes(int64(len(pkt)))
+	b.ResetTimer()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		binary.BigEndian.PutUint16(pkt[4:6], uint16(i))
+		m.filterInbound(pkt, len(pkt))
+	}
+}

client/firewall/uspfilter/fragment_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,554 @@
+package uspfilter
+
+import (
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"net"
+	"net/netip"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/google/gopacket"
+	"github.com/google/gopacket/layers"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	fw "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
+	nbiface "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
+)
+
+const (
+	fragTestSrc   = "100.10.0.1"
+	fragTestDst   = "100.10.0.100"
+	fragTestSrcV6 = "fd00::1"
+	fragTestDstV6 = "fd00::100"
+)
+
+func newFragmentTestManager(tb testing.TB) *Manager {
+	tb.Helper()
+
+	ifaceMock := &IFaceMock{
+		SetFilterFunc: func(device.PacketFilter) error { return nil },
+		AddressFunc: func() wgaddr.Address {
+			return wgaddr.Address{
+				IP:      netip.MustParseAddr(fragTestDst),
+				Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("100.10.0.0/16"),
+				IPv6:    netip.MustParseAddr(fragTestDstV6),
+				IPv6Net: netip.MustParsePrefix("fd00::/64"),
+			}
+		},
+	}
+
+	m, err := Create(ifaceMock, false, flowLogger, nbiface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(tb, err)
+	require.NoError(tb, m.UpdateLocalIPs())
+	tb.Cleanup(func() { require.NoError(tb, m.Close(nil)) })
+	return m
+}
+
+// firstFragmentUDPTo builds the first fragment of a fragmented UDP datagram to
+// the given destination: it carries the full UDP header plus payloadLen bytes
+// of data, with the More Fragments flag set and offset zero.
+func firstFragmentUDPTo(tb testing.TB, dst string, id uint16, dstPort uint16, payloadLen int) []byte {
+	tb.Helper()
+
+	ip := &layers.IPv4{
+		Version:  4,
+		TTL:      64,
+		Id:       id,
+		Protocol: layers.IPProtocolUDP,
+		SrcIP:    net.ParseIP(fragTestSrc),
+		DstIP:    net.ParseIP(dst),
+		Flags:    layers.IPv4MoreFragments,
+	}
+	udp := &layers.UDP{SrcPort: 40000, DstPort: layers.UDPPort(dstPort)}
+	require.NoError(tb, udp.SetNetworkLayerForChecksum(ip))
+
+	buf := gopacket.NewSerializeBuffer()
+	opts := gopacket.SerializeOptions{ComputeChecksums: true, FixLengths: true}
+	require.NoError(tb, gopacket.SerializeLayers(buf, opts, ip, udp, gopacket.Payload(make([]byte, payloadLen))))
+	return buf.Bytes()
+}
+
+func firstFragmentUDP(tb testing.TB, id uint16, dstPort uint16, payloadLen int) []byte {
+	tb.Helper()
+	return firstFragmentUDPTo(tb, fragTestDst, id, dstPort, payloadLen)
+}
+
+// firstFragmentTCP builds the first fragment of a fragmented TCP datagram: the
+// full 20-byte TCP header plus 12 bytes of data, with the More Fragments flag
+// set and offset zero.
+func firstFragmentTCP(tb testing.TB, id uint16, dstPort uint16) []byte {
+	tb.Helper()
+
+	ip := &layers.IPv4{
+		Version:  4,
+		TTL:      64,
+		Id:       id,
+		Protocol: layers.IPProtocolTCP,
+		SrcIP:    net.ParseIP(fragTestSrc),
+		DstIP:    net.ParseIP(fragTestDst),
+		Flags:    layers.IPv4MoreFragments,
+	}
+	tcp := &layers.TCP{SrcPort: 40000, DstPort: layers.TCPPort(dstPort), SYN: true, Window: 64240}
+	require.NoError(tb, tcp.SetNetworkLayerForChecksum(ip))
+
+	buf := gopacket.NewSerializeBuffer()
+	opts := gopacket.SerializeOptions{ComputeChecksums: true, FixLengths: true}
+	require.NoError(tb, gopacket.SerializeLayers(buf, opts, ip, tcp, gopacket.Payload(make([]byte, 12))))
+	return buf.Bytes()
+}
+
+// trailingFragmentTo builds a non-first fragment to the given destination: an
+// IPv4 header at the given fragment offset (in 8-byte units) carrying raw
+// payload and no L4 header.
+func trailingFragmentTo(tb testing.TB, dst string, proto layers.IPProtocol, id uint16, fragOffsetOctets uint16, moreFragments bool, payloadLen int) []byte {
+	tb.Helper()
+
+	ip := &layers.IPv4{
+		Version:    4,
+		TTL:        64,
+		Id:         id,
+		Protocol:   proto,
+		SrcIP:      net.ParseIP(fragTestSrc),
+		DstIP:      net.ParseIP(dst),
+		FragOffset: fragOffsetOctets,
+	}
+	if moreFragments {
+		ip.Flags = layers.IPv4MoreFragments
+	}
+
+	buf := gopacket.NewSerializeBuffer()
+	opts := gopacket.SerializeOptions{FixLengths: true}
+	require.NoError(tb, gopacket.SerializeLayers(buf, opts, ip, gopacket.Payload(make([]byte, payloadLen))))
+	return buf.Bytes()
+}
+
+func trailingFragment(tb testing.TB, id uint16, fragOffsetOctets uint16, moreFragments bool, payloadLen int) []byte {
+	tb.Helper()
+	return trailingFragmentTo(tb, fragTestDst, layers.IPProtocolUDP, id, fragOffsetOctets, moreFragments, payloadLen)
+}
+
+// outboundUDPPacket builds a complete outbound UDP packet from the local
+// address, used to establish conntrack state for reply-direction tests.
+func outboundUDPPacket(tb testing.TB, srcPort, dstPort uint16) []byte {
+	tb.Helper()
+
+	ip := &layers.IPv4{
+		Version:  4,
+		TTL:      64,
+		Id:       1,
+		Protocol: layers.IPProtocolUDP,
+		SrcIP:    net.ParseIP(fragTestDst),
+		DstIP:    net.ParseIP(fragTestSrc),
+	}
+	udp := &layers.UDP{SrcPort: layers.UDPPort(srcPort), DstPort: layers.UDPPort(dstPort)}
+	require.NoError(tb, udp.SetNetworkLayerForChecksum(ip))
+
+	buf := gopacket.NewSerializeBuffer()
+	opts := gopacket.SerializeOptions{ComputeChecksums: true, FixLengths: true}
+	require.NoError(tb, gopacket.SerializeLayers(buf, opts, ip, udp, gopacket.Payload(make([]byte, 16))))
+	return buf.Bytes()
+}
+
+// normalUDPPacket builds a complete, non-fragmented UDP packet for baseline
+// comparisons against the fragment paths.
+func normalUDPPacket(tb testing.TB, dstPort uint16, payloadLen int) []byte {
+	tb.Helper()
+
+	ip := &layers.IPv4{
+		Version:  4,
+		TTL:      64,
+		Id:       1,
+		Protocol: layers.IPProtocolUDP,
+		SrcIP:    net.ParseIP(fragTestSrc),
+		DstIP:    net.ParseIP(fragTestDst),
+	}
+	udp := &layers.UDP{SrcPort: 40000, DstPort: layers.UDPPort(dstPort)}
+	require.NoError(tb, udp.SetNetworkLayerForChecksum(ip))
+
+	buf := gopacket.NewSerializeBuffer()
+	opts := gopacket.SerializeOptions{ComputeChecksums: true, FixLengths: true}
+	require.NoError(tb, gopacket.SerializeLayers(buf, opts, ip, udp, gopacket.Payload(make([]byte, payloadLen))))
+	return buf.Bytes()
+}
+
+func allowUDP(tb testing.TB, m *Manager, dstPort uint16) {
+	tb.Helper()
+	_, err := m.AddPeerFiltering(nil, net.ParseIP(fragTestSrc), fw.ProtocolUDP, nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{dstPort}}, fw.ActionAccept, "")
+	require.NoError(tb, err)
+}
+
+// TestFragment_TrailingWithoutFirstDropped is the core bypass repro: a trailing
+// fragment with no allowed first fragment on record must be dropped. Before the
+// fix, filterInbound returned false (allow) for any fragment.
+func TestFragment_TrailingWithoutFirstDropped(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+
+	frag := trailingFragment(t, 0x1234, 185, false, 40)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(frag, len(frag)),
+		"trailing fragment without an allowed first fragment must be dropped")
+}
+
+// TestFragment_AllowedFirstPassesTrailing verifies that once a first fragment
+// passes the ACL, its trailing fragments inherit the allow verdict.
+func TestFragment_AllowedFirstPassesTrailing(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	allowUDP(t, m, 8080)
+
+	// First fragment: UDP header (8) + 32 payload = 40 octets -> headerEnd = 5.
+	first := firstFragmentUDP(t, 0x2222, 8080, 32)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(first, len(first)),
+		"allowed first fragment should pass and be recorded")
+
+	trailing := trailingFragment(t, 0x2222, 5, false, 24)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(trailing, len(trailing)),
+		"trailing fragment of an allowed datagram should pass")
+}
+
+// TestFragment_DeniedFirstDropsTrailing verifies that a first fragment blocked
+// by the ACL leaves no verdict, so its trailing fragments are dropped.
+func TestFragment_DeniedFirstDropsTrailing(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	// No accept rule: local traffic defaults to deny.
+
+	first := firstFragmentUDP(t, 0x3333, 9999, 32)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(first, len(first)),
+		"first fragment to a blocked port should be dropped by the ACL")
+
+	trailing := trailingFragment(t, 0x3333, 5, false, 24)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(trailing, len(trailing)),
+		"trailing fragment of a denied datagram must be dropped")
+}
+
+// TestFragment_OverlappingHeaderDropped covers the RFC 1858 §4 / RFC 3128
+// overlapping-fragment rewrite: a trailing fragment starting inside the range
+// the ACL already inspected is dropped and poisons the datagram. TCP is used so
+// the overlap lands on real header bytes (the flags at byte 13).
+func TestFragment_OverlappingHeaderDropped(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	_, err := m.AddPeerFiltering(nil, net.ParseIP(fragTestSrc), fw.ProtocolTCP, nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{8080}}, fw.ActionAccept, "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// First fragment: TCP header (20) + 12 data = 32 bytes -> headerEnd = 4 octets.
+	first := firstFragmentTCP(t, 0x4444, 8080)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(first, len(first)))
+
+	// Overlapping fragment at offset 1 (byte 8) falls inside the inspected TCP
+	// header, so it could rewrite the flags or port on reassembly.
+	overlap := trailingFragmentTo(t, fragTestDst, layers.IPProtocolTCP, 0x4444, 1, true, 32)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(overlap, len(overlap)),
+		"fragment overlapping the inspected header must be dropped")
+
+	// The datagram is now poisoned: a later, non-overlapping fragment is also
+	// dropped because the verdict was removed.
+	later := trailingFragmentTo(t, fragTestDst, layers.IPProtocolTCP, 0x4444, 4, false, 24)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(later, len(later)),
+		"fragments after an overlap must be dropped (datagram poisoned)")
+}
+
+// TestFragment_OffsetZeroOverlapPoisons covers the RFC 3128 offset-zero rewrite:
+// an allowed first fragment followed by a denied offset-zero fragment for the
+// same datagram must not leave the earlier allow verdict in place.
+func TestFragment_OffsetZeroOverlapPoisons(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	allowUDP(t, m, 8080)
+
+	allowed := firstFragmentUDP(t, 0x5A5A, 8080, 32)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(allowed, len(allowed)),
+		"allowed first fragment should pass and be recorded")
+
+	// A second offset-zero fragment to a denied port supersedes the datagram's
+	// verdict; it is dropped and must not leave the allow in place.
+	denied := firstFragmentUDP(t, 0x5A5A, 9999, 32)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(denied, len(denied)),
+		"denied offset-zero fragment must be dropped")
+
+	trailing := trailingFragment(t, 0x5A5A, 5, false, 24)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(trailing, len(trailing)),
+		"trailing fragment must be denied after the datagram was poisoned")
+}
+
+// TestFragment_TinyFirstDropped covers the tiny-fragment attack: a first
+// fragment too small to contain the full transport header can't be
+// ACL-evaluated and must be dropped.
+func TestFragment_TinyFirstDropped(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	allowUDP(t, m, 8080)
+
+	// IPv4 header + 4 raw bytes, MF set, offset 0: too small for the 8-byte UDP
+	// header, so it decodes to L3 only.
+	tiny := trailingFragment(t, 0x5555, 0, true, 4)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(tiny, len(tiny)),
+		"tiny first fragment without a full L4 header must be dropped")
+}
+
+// TestFragment_TCPFirstFragment verifies the TCP arm of the transport decode: a
+// first fragment carrying the full 20-byte TCP header is ACL-evaluated and its
+// trailing fragments inherit the verdict.
+func TestFragment_TCPFirstFragment(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	_, err := m.AddPeerFiltering(nil, net.ParseIP(fragTestSrc), fw.ProtocolTCP, nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{8080}}, fw.ActionAccept, "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// TCP header (20) + 12 data = 32 bytes -> headerEnd = 4 octets.
+	first := firstFragmentTCP(t, 0x6666, 8080)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(first, len(first)),
+		"allowed TCP first fragment should pass and be recorded")
+
+	trailing := trailingFragmentTo(t, fragTestDst, layers.IPProtocolTCP, 0x6666, 4, false, 24)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(trailing, len(trailing)),
+		"trailing fragment of an allowed TCP datagram should pass")
+}
+
+// TestFragment_TCPTinyFirstDropped verifies the TCP minimum header length: 12
+// bytes would satisfy a UDP header but falls short of the 20-byte TCP header.
+func TestFragment_TCPTinyFirstDropped(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	_, err := m.AddPeerFiltering(nil, net.ParseIP(fragTestSrc), fw.ProtocolTCP, nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{8080}}, fw.ActionAccept, "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	tiny := trailingFragmentTo(t, fragTestDst, layers.IPProtocolTCP, 0x7777, 0, true, 12)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(tiny, len(tiny)),
+		"first fragment shorter than the TCP header must be dropped")
+}
+
+// TestFragment_ConntrackAllowsFirstFragment verifies the conntrack branch: reply
+// fragments of an outbound-established UDP flow pass without any inbound rule.
+func TestFragment_ConntrackAllowsFirstFragment(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+
+	out := outboundUDPPacket(t, 12345, 40000)
+	require.False(t, m.filterOutbound(out, len(out)))
+
+	first := firstFragmentUDP(t, 0x8888, 12345, 32)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(first, len(first)),
+		"reply first fragment should pass via conntrack")
+
+	trailing := trailingFragment(t, 0x8888, 5, false, 24)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(trailing, len(trailing)),
+		"trailing fragment of a tracked flow should pass")
+}
+
+// TestFragment_RoutingDisabledDropsFragment verifies routed first fragments are
+// dropped when routing is disabled.
+func TestFragment_RoutingDisabledDropsFragment(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	m.routingEnabled.Store(false)
+
+	first := firstFragmentUDPTo(t, "198.51.100.10", 0x9999, 8080, 32)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(first, len(first)),
+		"routed first fragment must be dropped when routing is disabled")
+}
+
+// TestFragment_RouteACL verifies the route-ACL branch: fragments to a non-local
+// destination follow the route rules, allowed datagrams pass their trailing
+// fragments and denied ones don't.
+func TestFragment_RouteACL(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	m.routingEnabled.Store(true)
+	m.nativeRouter.Store(false)
+
+	_, err := m.AddRouteFiltering(
+		[]byte("rt-1"),
+		[]netip.Prefix{netip.MustParsePrefix("100.10.0.0/16")},
+		fw.Network{Prefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("198.51.100.0/24")},
+		fw.ProtocolUDP,
+		nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{8080}},
+		fw.ActionAccept,
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	first := firstFragmentUDPTo(t, "198.51.100.10", 0xAAAA, 8080, 32)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(first, len(first)),
+		"route-ACL-allowed first fragment should pass")
+	trailing := trailingFragmentTo(t, "198.51.100.10", layers.IPProtocolUDP, 0xAAAA, 5, false, 24)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(trailing, len(trailing)),
+		"trailing fragment of an allowed routed datagram should pass")
+
+	denied := firstFragmentUDPTo(t, "198.51.100.10", 0xBBBB, 9999, 32)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(denied, len(denied)),
+		"route-ACL-denied first fragment must be dropped")
+	deniedTrailing := trailingFragmentTo(t, "198.51.100.10", layers.IPProtocolUDP, 0xBBBB, 5, false, 24)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(deniedTrailing, len(deniedTrailing)),
+		"trailing fragment of a denied routed datagram must be dropped")
+}
+
+// TestFragment_ExpiredVerdictDropsTrailing verifies a verdict older than the
+// tracker timeout no longer admits trailing fragments.
+func TestFragment_ExpiredVerdictDropsTrailing(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	allowUDP(t, m, 8080)
+
+	first := firstFragmentUDP(t, 0xCCCC, 8080, 32)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(first, len(first)))
+
+	m.fragments.mutex.Lock()
+	for key, entry := range m.fragments.entries {
+		entry.recordedAt = time.Now().Add(-defaultFragmentTimeout - time.Second)
+		m.fragments.entries[key] = entry
+	}
+	m.fragments.mutex.Unlock()
+
+	trailing := trailingFragment(t, 0xCCCC, 5, false, 24)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(trailing, len(trailing)),
+		"trailing fragment after verdict expiry must be dropped")
+}
+
+// TestFragment_CapacityFailsClosed verifies the table cap: at capacity, new
+// datagram verdicts are not recorded (their trailing fragments are dropped)
+// while already-recorded datagrams keep working.
+func TestFragment_CapacityFailsClosed(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	allowUDP(t, m, 8080)
+
+	m.fragments.mutex.Lock()
+	m.fragments.maxEntries = 1
+	m.fragments.mutex.Unlock()
+
+	first1 := firstFragmentUDP(t, 0x0101, 8080, 32)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(first1, len(first1)))
+
+	first2 := firstFragmentUDP(t, 0x0202, 8080, 32)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(first2, len(first2)),
+		"first fragment itself still passes at capacity")
+
+	trailing2 := trailingFragment(t, 0x0202, 5, false, 24)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(trailing2, len(trailing2)),
+		"trailing fragment of an unrecorded datagram must be dropped at capacity")
+
+	trailing1 := trailingFragment(t, 0x0101, 5, false, 24)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(trailing1, len(trailing1)),
+		"already-recorded datagram should keep passing at capacity")
+}
+
+// v6FragmentHeader builds the 8-byte IPv6 fragment extension header for the
+// given inner protocol, offset (8-byte units), More Fragments bit and id.
+func v6FragmentHeader(proto layers.IPProtocol, offsetOctets uint16, moreFragments bool, id uint32) []byte {
+	offsetFlags := offsetOctets << 3
+	if moreFragments {
+		offsetFlags |= 1
+	}
+	hdr := make([]byte, 8)
+	hdr[0] = uint8(proto)
+	binary.BigEndian.PutUint16(hdr[2:4], offsetFlags)
+	binary.BigEndian.PutUint32(hdr[4:8], id)
+	return hdr
+}
+
+func v6UDPHeader(dstPort uint16, dataLen int) []byte {
+	hdr := make([]byte, 8)
+	binary.BigEndian.PutUint16(hdr[0:2], 40000)
+	binary.BigEndian.PutUint16(hdr[2:4], dstPort)
+	binary.BigEndian.PutUint16(hdr[4:6], uint16(8+dataLen))
+	return hdr
+}
+
+// firstFragmentUDPv6 builds the first fragment of a fragmented IPv6 UDP
+// datagram: fragment header (offset 0, More Fragments set) + full UDP header +
+// data.
+func firstFragmentUDPv6(tb testing.TB, id uint32, dstPort uint16, dataLen int) []byte {
+	tb.Helper()
+	return fragmentUDPv6(tb, id, dstPort, dataLen, true)
+}
+
+// fragmentUDPv6 builds an offset-zero IPv6 UDP fragment. With moreFragments
+// false it is an atomic fragment (a complete datagram, RFC 6946).
+func fragmentUDPv6(tb testing.TB, id uint32, dstPort uint16, dataLen int, moreFragments bool) []byte {
+	tb.Helper()
+
+	ip := &layers.IPv6{
+		Version:    6,
+		NextHeader: layers.IPProtocolIPv6Fragment,
+		HopLimit:   64,
+		SrcIP:      net.ParseIP(fragTestSrcV6),
+		DstIP:      net.ParseIP(fragTestDstV6),
+	}
+	payload := append(v6FragmentHeader(layers.IPProtocolUDP, 0, moreFragments, id), v6UDPHeader(dstPort, dataLen)...)
+	payload = append(payload, make([]byte, dataLen)...)
+
+	buf := gopacket.NewSerializeBuffer()
+	require.NoError(tb, gopacket.SerializeLayers(buf, gopacket.SerializeOptions{FixLengths: true}, ip, gopacket.Payload(payload)))
+	return buf.Bytes()
+}
+
+// trailingFragmentV6 builds a non-first IPv6 fragment: fragment header at the
+// given offset carrying raw data and no transport header.
+func trailingFragmentV6(tb testing.TB, id uint32, offsetOctets uint16, moreFragments bool, dataLen int) []byte {
+	tb.Helper()
+
+	ip := &layers.IPv6{
+		Version:    6,
+		NextHeader: layers.IPProtocolIPv6Fragment,
+		HopLimit:   64,
+		SrcIP:      net.ParseIP(fragTestSrcV6),
+		DstIP:      net.ParseIP(fragTestDstV6),
+	}
+	payload := append(v6FragmentHeader(layers.IPProtocolUDP, offsetOctets, moreFragments, id), make([]byte, dataLen)...)
+
+	buf := gopacket.NewSerializeBuffer()
+	require.NoError(tb, gopacket.SerializeLayers(buf, gopacket.SerializeOptions{FixLengths: true}, ip, gopacket.Payload(payload)))
+	return buf.Bytes()
+}
+
+// TestFragmentV6_TrailingWithoutFirstDropped verifies the IPv6 bypass is closed:
+// a trailing fragment with no allowed first fragment is dropped.
+func TestFragmentV6_TrailingWithoutFirstDropped(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+
+	frag := trailingFragmentV6(t, 0xAABBCCDD, 100, false, 40)
+	require.True(t, m.filterInbound(frag, len(frag)),
+		"IPv6 trailing fragment without an allowed first fragment must be dropped")
+}
+
+// TestFragmentV6_AllowedFirstPassesTrailing verifies IPv6 fragments are
+// evaluated like IPv4: an allowed first fragment lets its trailing fragments
+// through.
+func TestFragmentV6_AllowedFirstPassesTrailing(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	_, err := m.AddPeerFiltering(nil, net.ParseIP(fragTestSrcV6), fw.ProtocolUDP, nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{8080}}, fw.ActionAccept, "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// First fragment: UDP header (8) + 32 data = 40 octets -> headerEnd = 5.
+	first := firstFragmentUDPv6(t, 0xAABBCCDD, 8080, 32)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(first, len(first)),
+		"allowed IPv6 first fragment should pass and be recorded")
+
+	trailing := trailingFragmentV6(t, 0xAABBCCDD, 5, false, 24)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(trailing, len(trailing)),
+		"trailing fragment of an allowed IPv6 datagram should pass")
+}
+
+// TestFragmentV6_AtomicNotCached verifies an IPv6 atomic fragment (fragment
+// header with offset 0 and no More Fragments, a complete datagram per RFC 6946)
+// is evaluated but not recorded, so a flood of allowed atomic fragments can't
+// exhaust the verdict table.
+func TestFragmentV6_AtomicNotCached(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newFragmentTestManager(t)
+	_, err := m.AddPeerFiltering(nil, net.ParseIP(fragTestSrcV6), fw.ProtocolUDP, nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{8080}}, fw.ActionAccept, "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	atomic := fragmentUDPv6(t, 0xA70301C, 8080, 16, false)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(atomic, len(atomic)),
+		"allowed IPv6 atomic fragment should pass")
+
+	m.fragments.mutex.Lock()
+	n := len(m.fragments.entries)
+	m.fragments.mutex.Unlock()
+	require.Zero(t, n, "atomic fragment must not create a verdict entry")
+
+	// A genuine fragmented datagram (More Fragments set) is still recorded.
+	first := fragmentUDPv6(t, 0xBEEF, 8080, 32, true)
+	require.False(t, m.filterInbound(first, len(first)))
+	m.fragments.mutex.Lock()
+	n = len(m.fragments.entries)
+	m.fragments.mutex.Unlock()
+	require.Equal(t, 1, n, "genuine first fragment must record a verdict")
+}

client/iface/configurer/kernel_unix.go

@@ -17,12 +17,15 @@ import (
 
 type KernelConfigurer struct {
 	deviceName string
+	statsCache *statsCache
 }
 
 func NewKernelConfigurer(deviceName string) *KernelConfigurer {
-	return &KernelConfigurer{
+	c := &KernelConfigurer{
 		deviceName: deviceName,
 	}
+	c.statsCache = newStatsCache(statsCacheTTL, c.fetchStats)
+	return c
 }
 
 func (c *KernelConfigurer) ConfigureInterface(privateKey string, port int) error {
@@ -246,12 +249,6 @@ func (c *KernelConfigurer) configure(config wgtypes.Config) error {
 		}
 	}()
 
-	// validate if device with name exists
-	_, err = wg.Device(c.deviceName)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
 	return wg.ConfigureDevice(c.deviceName, config)
 }
 
@@ -300,6 +297,14 @@ func (c *KernelConfigurer) FullStats() (*Stats, error) {
 }
 
 func (c *KernelConfigurer) GetStats() (map[string]WGStats, error) {
+	return c.statsCache.get()
+}
+
+func (c *KernelConfigurer) LastActivities() map[string]monotime.Time {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (c *KernelConfigurer) fetchStats() (map[string]WGStats, error) {
 	stats := make(map[string]WGStats)
 	wg, err := wgctrl.New()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -326,7 +331,3 @@ func (c *KernelConfigurer) GetStats() (map[string]WGStats, error) {
 	}
 	return stats, nil
 }
-
-func (c *KernelConfigurer) LastActivities() map[string]monotime.Time {
-	return nil
-}

client/iface/configurer/stats_cache.go

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+package configurer
+
+import (
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"golang.org/x/sync/singleflight"
+)
+
+const statsCacheTTL = 1 * time.Second
+
+type statsCache struct {
+	ttl   time.Duration
+	fetch func() (map[string]WGStats, error)
+
+	mu       sync.RWMutex
+	value    map[string]WGStats
+	expireAt time.Time
+
+	sf singleflight.Group
+}
+
+func newStatsCache(ttl time.Duration, fetch func() (map[string]WGStats, error)) *statsCache {
+	return &statsCache{ttl: ttl, fetch: fetch}
+}
+
+func (c *statsCache) get() (map[string]WGStats, error) {
+	c.mu.RLock()
+	if c.value != nil && time.Now().Before(c.expireAt) {
+		value := c.value
+		c.mu.RUnlock()
+		return value, nil
+	}
+	c.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	value, err, _ := c.sf.Do("stats", func() (interface{}, error) {
+		res, err := c.fetch()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		c.mu.Lock()
+		c.value = res
+		c.expireAt = time.Now().Add(c.ttl)
+		c.mu.Unlock()
+		return res, nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return value.(map[string]WGStats), nil
+}

client/iface/configurer/stats_cache_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+package configurer
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestStatsCache_CachesWithinTTL(t *testing.T) {
+	var calls atomic.Int64
+	c := newStatsCache(50*time.Millisecond, func() (map[string]WGStats, error) {
+		calls.Add(1)
+		return map[string]WGStats{"p": {}}, nil
+	})
+
+	for i := 0; i < 10; i++ {
+		_, err := c.get()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+	}
+	require.Equal(t, int64(1), calls.Load(), "within TTL only one underlying fetch")
+
+	time.Sleep(60 * time.Millisecond)
+	_, err := c.get()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Equal(t, int64(2), calls.Load(), "after TTL expiry a fresh fetch happens")
+}
+
+func TestStatsCache_SingleFlight(t *testing.T) {
+	var calls atomic.Int64
+	release := make(chan struct{})
+	c := newStatsCache(time.Minute, func() (map[string]WGStats, error) {
+		calls.Add(1)
+		<-release
+		return map[string]WGStats{}, nil
+	})
+
+	const n = 50
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	wg.Add(n)
+	for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			_, _ = c.get()
+		}()
+	}
+	time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
+	close(release)
+	wg.Wait()
+
+	require.Equal(t, int64(1), calls.Load(), "concurrent misses collapse into one fetch")
+}
+
+func TestStatsCache_ErrorNotCached(t *testing.T) {
+	var calls atomic.Int64
+	wantErr := errors.New("dump failed")
+	c := newStatsCache(time.Minute, func() (map[string]WGStats, error) {
+		calls.Add(1)
+		return nil, wantErr
+	})
+
+	_, err := c.get()
+	require.ErrorIs(t, err, wantErr)
+	_, err = c.get()
+	require.ErrorIs(t, err, wantErr)
+	require.Equal(t, int64(2), calls.Load(), "errors are not cached; each call retries")
+}

client/iface/configurer/usp.go

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ type WGUSPConfigurer struct {
 	device           *device.Device
 	deviceName       string
 	activityRecorder *bind.ActivityRecorder
+	statsCache       *statsCache
 
 	uapiListener net.Listener
 }
@@ -50,16 +51,19 @@ func NewUSPConfigurer(device *device.Device, deviceName string, activityRecorder
 		deviceName:       deviceName,
 		activityRecorder: activityRecorder,
 	}
+	wgCfg.statsCache = newStatsCache(statsCacheTTL, wgCfg.fetchStats)
 	wgCfg.startUAPI()
 	return wgCfg
 }
 
 func NewUSPConfigurerNoUAPI(device *device.Device, deviceName string, activityRecorder *bind.ActivityRecorder) *WGUSPConfigurer {
-	return &WGUSPConfigurer{
+	wgCfg := &WGUSPConfigurer{
 		device:           device,
 		deviceName:       deviceName,
 		activityRecorder: activityRecorder,
 	}
+	wgCfg.statsCache = newStatsCache(statsCacheTTL, wgCfg.fetchStats)
+	return wgCfg
 }
 
 func (c *WGUSPConfigurer) ConfigureInterface(privateKey string, port int) error {
@@ -348,6 +352,10 @@ func (t *WGUSPConfigurer) Close() {
 }
 
 func (t *WGUSPConfigurer) GetStats() (map[string]WGStats, error) {
+	return t.statsCache.get()
+}
+
+func (t *WGUSPConfigurer) fetchStats() (map[string]WGStats, error) {
 	ipc, err := t.device.IpcGet()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ipc get: %w", err)

client/iface/netstack/env.go

@@ -3,14 +3,31 @@
 package netstack
 
 import (
-	"fmt"
+	"net"
 	"os"
 	"strconv"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
-const EnvUseNetstackMode = "NB_USE_NETSTACK_MODE"
+const (
+	EnvUseNetstackMode = "NB_USE_NETSTACK_MODE"
+
+	// EnvSocks5ListenerPort overrides the port the SOCKS5 proxy listens on.
+	EnvSocks5ListenerPort = "NB_SOCKS5_LISTENER_PORT"
+
+	// EnvSocks5ListenerAddress overrides the host/IP the SOCKS5 proxy binds to.
+	// The proxy is a bridge for local host applications into the userspace
+	// WireGuard netstack, so it binds to loopback by default. Override this only
+	// when the proxy must be reachable from other hosts (e.g. a container
+	// gateway); doing so exposes an unauthenticated SOCKS5 proxy on that
+	// address.
+	EnvSocks5ListenerAddress = "NB_SOCKS5_LISTENER_ADDRESS"
+
+	// defaultSocks5Host is the loopback address the SOCKS5 proxy binds to unless
+	// overridden via EnvSocks5ListenerAddress.
+	defaultSocks5Host = "127.0.0.1"
+)
 
 // IsEnabled todo: move these function to cmd layer
 func IsEnabled() bool {
@@ -18,24 +35,40 @@ func IsEnabled() bool {
 }
 
 func ListenAddr() string {
-	sPort := os.Getenv("NB_SOCKS5_LISTENER_PORT")
+	return net.JoinHostPort(listenHost(), strconv.Itoa(listenPort()))
+}
+
+// listenHost returns the host/IP the SOCKS5 proxy binds to. It defaults to
+// loopback and only honors EnvSocks5ListenerAddress when it holds a valid IP.
+func listenHost() string {
+	addr := os.Getenv(EnvSocks5ListenerAddress)
+	if addr == "" {
+		return defaultSocks5Host
+	}
+	if net.ParseIP(addr) == nil {
+		log.Warnf("invalid socks5 listener address %q, falling back to default: %s", addr, defaultSocks5Host)
+		return defaultSocks5Host
+	}
+	return addr
+}
+
+// listenPort returns the port the SOCKS5 proxy binds to, defaulting to
+// DefaultSocks5Port when EnvSocks5ListenerPort is unset or invalid.
+func listenPort() int {
+	sPort := os.Getenv(EnvSocks5ListenerPort)
 	if sPort == "" {
-		return listenAddr(DefaultSocks5Port)
+		return DefaultSocks5Port
 	}
 
 	port, err := strconv.Atoi(sPort)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Warnf("invalid socks5 listener port, unable to convert it to int, falling back to default: %d", DefaultSocks5Port)
-		return listenAddr(DefaultSocks5Port)
+		return DefaultSocks5Port
 	}
 	if port < 1 || port > 65535 {
 		log.Warnf("invalid socks5 listener port, it should be in the range 1-65535, falling back to default: %d", DefaultSocks5Port)
-		return listenAddr(DefaultSocks5Port)
+		return DefaultSocks5Port
 	}
 
-	return listenAddr(port)
-}
-
-func listenAddr(port int) string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("0.0.0.0:%d", port)
+	return port
 }

client/iface/netstack/env_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+//go:build !js
+
+package netstack
+
+import (
+	"net"
+	"strconv"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestListenAddr_DefaultsToLoopback(t *testing.T) {
+	// No env overrides: must bind loopback, never all interfaces.
+	got := ListenAddr()
+	want := net.JoinHostPort("127.0.0.1", strconv.Itoa(DefaultSocks5Port))
+	if got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("ListenAddr() = %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestListenAddr_AddressOverride(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		env  string
+		want string
+	}{
+		{name: "valid override honored", env: "0.0.0.0", want: "0.0.0.0"},
+		{name: "valid specific ip honored", env: "10.0.0.5", want: "10.0.0.5"},
+		{name: "ipv6 loopback bracketed", env: "::1", want: "::1"},
+		{name: "invalid falls back to loopback", env: "not-an-ip", want: "127.0.0.1"},
+		{name: "empty falls back to loopback", env: "", want: "127.0.0.1"},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Setenv(EnvSocks5ListenerAddress, tc.env)
+			want := net.JoinHostPort(tc.want, strconv.Itoa(DefaultSocks5Port))
+			if got := ListenAddr(); got != want {
+				t.Fatalf("ListenAddr() = %q, want %q", got, want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestListenAddr_PortOverride(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		env  string
+		want int
+	}{
+		{name: "valid port honored", env: "1081", want: 1081},
+		{name: "non-numeric falls back", env: "abc", want: DefaultSocks5Port},
+		{name: "out of range falls back", env: "70000", want: DefaultSocks5Port},
+		{name: "zero falls back", env: "0", want: DefaultSocks5Port},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Setenv(EnvSocks5ListenerPort, tc.env)
+			want := net.JoinHostPort("127.0.0.1", strconv.Itoa(tc.want))
+			if got := ListenAddr(); got != want {
+				t.Fatalf("ListenAddr() = %q, want %q", got, want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

client/iface/wgproxy/bind/proxy.go

@@ -136,6 +136,11 @@ func (p *ProxyBind) CloseConn() error {
 	return p.close()
 }
 
+// InjectPacket is a no-op for the userspace proxy: first-packet reinjection is kernel-only.
+func (p *ProxyBind) InjectPacket(_ []byte) error {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (p *ProxyBind) close() error {
 	if p.remoteConn == nil {
 		return nil

client/iface/wgproxy/ebpf/wrapper.go

@@ -219,6 +219,17 @@ func (p *ProxyWrapper) RedirectAs(endpoint *net.UDPAddr) {
 	p.pausedCond.L.Unlock()
 }
 
+// InjectPacket writes b to the remote peer over the underlying transport.
+func (p *ProxyWrapper) InjectPacket(b []byte) error {
+	if p.remoteConn == nil {
+		return errors.New("proxy not started")
+	}
+	if _, err := p.remoteConn.Write(b); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // CloseConn close the remoteConn and automatically remove the conn instance from the map
 func (p *ProxyWrapper) CloseConn() error {
 	if p.cancel == nil {

client/iface/wgproxy/proxy.go

@@ -18,4 +18,9 @@ type Proxy interface {
 	RedirectAs(endpoint *net.UDPAddr)
 	CloseConn() error
 	SetDisconnectListener(disconnected func())
+
+	// InjectPacket writes a raw packet directly to the remote peer over the underlying transport,
+	// bypassing WireGuard. Used to replay the captured lazyconn handshake initiation. Only the
+	// kernel-mode proxies act on it; the userspace proxy is a no-op since reinjection is kernel-only.
+	InjectPacket(b []byte) error
 }

client/iface/wgproxy/udp/proxy.go

@@ -147,6 +147,17 @@ func (p *WGUDPProxy) RedirectAs(endpoint *net.UDPAddr) {
 	p.sendPkg = p.srcFakerConn.SendPkg
 }
 
+// InjectPacket writes b to the remote peer over the underlying transport.
+func (p *WGUDPProxy) InjectPacket(b []byte) error {
+	if p.remoteConn == nil {
+		return errors.New("proxy not started")
+	}
+	if _, err := p.remoteConn.Write(b); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // CloseConn close the localConn
 func (p *WGUDPProxy) CloseConn() error {
 	if p.cancel == nil {

client/installer.nsis

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 !define DESCRIPTION "Connect your devices into a secure WireGuard-based overlay network with SSO, MFA, and granular access controls."
 !define INSTALLER_NAME "netbird-installer.exe"
 !define MAIN_APP_EXE "Netbird"
-!define ICON "ui\\assets\\netbird.ico"
+!define ICON "ui\\build\\windows\\icon.ico"
 !define BANNER "ui\\build\\banner.bmp"
 !define LICENSE_DATA "..\\LICENSE"
 
@@ -79,8 +79,6 @@ ShowInstDetails Show
 
 !insertmacro MUI_PAGE_DIRECTORY
 
-Page custom AutostartPage AutostartPageLeave
-
 !insertmacro MUI_PAGE_INSTFILES
 
 !insertmacro MUI_PAGE_FINISH
@@ -97,40 +95,12 @@ UninstPage custom un.DeleteDataPage un.DeleteDataPageLeave
 
 !insertmacro MUI_LANGUAGE "English"
 
-; Variables for autostart option
-Var AutostartCheckbox
-Var AutostartEnabled
-
 ; Variables for uninstall data deletion option
 Var DeleteDataCheckbox
 Var DeleteDataEnabled
 
 ######################################################################
 
-; Function to create the autostart options page
-Function AutostartPage
-  !insertmacro MUI_HEADER_TEXT "Startup Options" "Configure how ${APP_NAME} launches with Windows."
-
-  nsDialogs::Create 1018
-  Pop $0
-
-  ${If} $0 == error
-    Abort
-  ${EndIf}
-
-  ${NSD_CreateCheckbox} 0 20u 100% 10u "Start ${APP_NAME} UI automatically when Windows starts"
-  Pop $AutostartCheckbox
-  ${NSD_Check} $AutostartCheckbox
-  StrCpy $AutostartEnabled "1"
-
-  nsDialogs::Show
-FunctionEnd
-
-; Function to handle leaving the autostart page
-Function AutostartPageLeave
-  ${NSD_GetState} $AutostartCheckbox $AutostartEnabled
-FunctionEnd
-
 ; Function to create the uninstall data deletion page
 Function un.DeleteDataPage
   !insertmacro MUI_HEADER_TEXT "Uninstall Options" "Choose whether to delete ${APP_NAME} data."
@@ -201,8 +171,6 @@ Pop $0
 
 Function .onInit
 StrCpy $INSTDIR "${INSTALL_DIR}"
-; Default autostart to enabled so silent installs (/S) match the interactive default
-StrCpy $AutostartEnabled "1"
 
 ; Pre-0.70.1 installers ran without SetRegView, so their uninstall keys live
 ; in the 32-bit view. Fall back to it so upgrades still find them.
@@ -260,17 +228,12 @@ WriteRegStr ${REG_ROOT} "${UNINSTALL_PATH}"  "Publisher" "${COMP_NAME}"
 
 WriteRegStr ${REG_ROOT} "${UI_REG_APP_PATH}" "" "$INSTDIR\${UI_APP_EXE}"
 
-; Create autostart registry entry based on checkbox
-DetailPrint "Autostart enabled: $AutostartEnabled"
-${If} $AutostartEnabled == "1"
-    WriteRegStr HKLM "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "${APP_NAME}" '"$INSTDIR\${UI_APP_EXE}.exe"'
-    DetailPrint "Added autostart registry entry: $INSTDIR\${UI_APP_EXE}.exe"
-${Else}
-    DeleteRegValue HKLM "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "${APP_NAME}"
-    ; Legacy: pre-HKLM installs wrote to HKCU; clean that up too.
-    DeleteRegValue HKCU "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "${APP_NAME}"
-    DetailPrint "Autostart not enabled by user"
-${EndIf}
+; Autostart is owned by the UI's per-user setting (HKCU\...\Run via Wails),
+; not the installer. Drop the machine-wide entry older installers wrote so the
+; toggle is the single source of truth. HKCU is left untouched -- it may hold
+; the user's own toggle state, which must survive upgrades.
+DetailPrint "Removing installer-managed autostart registry entry if present..."
+DeleteRegValue HKLM "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "${APP_NAME}"
 
 EnVar::SetHKLM
 EnVar::AddValueEx "path" "$INSTDIR"
@@ -280,6 +243,43 @@ CreateShortCut "$SMPROGRAMS\${APP_NAME}.lnk" "$INSTDIR\${UI_APP_EXE}"
 CreateShortCut "$DESKTOP\${APP_NAME}.lnk" "$INSTDIR\${UI_APP_EXE}"
 SectionEnd
 
+# Install the Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime if it isn't already present.
+# Macro adapted from Wails3's NSIS template (wails_tools.nsh): a registry
+# probe followed by a silent install of the embedded evergreen bootstrapper.
+# The MicrosoftEdgeWebview2Setup.exe payload is staged next to this script
+# by the sign-pipelines build step (`wails3 generate webview2bootstrapper`).
+!macro nb.webview2runtime
+    SetRegView 64
+    # Per-machine install marker — populated when the runtime ships with
+    # Edge or has been installed by an admin previously.
+    ReadRegStr $0 HKLM "SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate\Clients\{F3017226-FE2A-4295-8BDF-00C3A9A7E4C5}" "pv"
+    ${If} $0 != ""
+        Goto webview2_ok
+    ${EndIf}
+    # Per-user fallback for HKCU installs.
+    ReadRegStr $0 HKCU "Software\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate\Clients\{F3017226-FE2A-4295-8BDF-00C3A9A7E4C5}" "pv"
+    ${If} $0 != ""
+        Goto webview2_ok
+    ${EndIf}
+
+    SetDetailsPrint both
+    DetailPrint "Installing: WebView2 Runtime"
+    SetDetailsPrint listonly
+
+    InitPluginsDir
+    CreateDirectory "$pluginsdir\webview2bootstrapper"
+    SetOutPath "$pluginsdir\webview2bootstrapper"
+    File "MicrosoftEdgeWebview2Setup.exe"
+    ExecWait '"$pluginsdir\webview2bootstrapper\MicrosoftEdgeWebview2Setup.exe" /silent /install'
+
+    SetDetailsPrint both
+    webview2_ok:
+!macroend
+
+Section -WebView2
+    !insertmacro nb.webview2runtime
+SectionEnd
+
 Section -Post
 ExecWait '"$INSTDIR\${MAIN_APP_EXE}" service install'
 ExecWait '"$INSTDIR\${MAIN_APP_EXE}" service start'
@@ -299,11 +299,14 @@ ExecWait '"$INSTDIR\${MAIN_APP_EXE}" service uninstall'
 DetailPrint "Terminating Netbird UI process..."
 ExecWait `taskkill /im ${UI_APP_EXE}.exe /f`
 
-; Remove autostart registry entry
-DetailPrint "Removing autostart registry entry if exists..."
+; Remove autostart registry entries
+DetailPrint "Removing autostart registry entries if they exist..."
+; Legacy machine-wide entry written by older installers.
 DeleteRegValue HKLM "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "${APP_NAME}"
-; Legacy: pre-HKLM installs wrote to HKCU; clean that up too.
+; Per-user entry the UI toggle writes via Wails (value name is the lowercase
+; app-name slug). Uninstall removes the app, so drop it too.
 DeleteRegValue HKCU "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "${APP_NAME}"
+DeleteRegValue HKCU "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "netbird"
 
 ; Handle data deletion based on checkbox
 DetailPrint "Checking if user requested data deletion..."
@@ -326,9 +329,9 @@ DetailPrint "Deleting application files..."
 Delete "$INSTDIR\${UI_APP_EXE}"
 Delete "$INSTDIR\${MAIN_APP_EXE}"
 Delete "$INSTDIR\wintun.dll"
-!if ${ARCH} == "amd64"
+# Legacy: pre-Wails installs shipped opengl32.dll (Mesa3D for Fyne); remove
+# any leftover copy on uninstall so old upgrades don't leave it behind.
 Delete "$INSTDIR\opengl32.dll"
-!endif
 DetailPrint "Removing application directory..."
 RmDir /r "$INSTDIR"
 

client/internal/acl/manager.go

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-multierror"
+	"github.com/mitchellh/hashstructure/v2"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
 	nberrors "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/errors"
@@ -30,11 +31,13 @@ type Manager interface {
 
 // DefaultManager uses firewall manager to handle
 type DefaultManager struct {
-	firewall       firewall.Manager
-	ipsetCounter   int
-	peerRulesPairs map[id.RuleID][]firewall.Rule
-	routeRules     map[id.RuleID]struct{}
-	mutex          sync.Mutex
+	firewall           firewall.Manager
+	ipsetCounter       int
+	peerRulesPairs     map[id.RuleID][]firewall.Rule
+	routeRules         map[id.RuleID]struct{}
+	previousConfigHash uint64
+	hasAppliedConfig   bool
+	mutex              sync.Mutex
 }
 
 func NewDefaultManager(fm firewall.Manager) *DefaultManager {
@@ -57,6 +60,23 @@ func (d *DefaultManager) ApplyFiltering(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap, dnsRout
 		return
 	}
 
+	// Skip the full rebuild + flush when the inputs that drive the firewall
+	// state are byte-for-byte identical to the last successfully applied
+	// update. Management re-sends the same network map far more often than it
+	// actually changes (account-wide updates, peer meta churn), and rebuilding
+	// every peer/route ACL and flushing the firewall on every such sync is the
+	// dominant client-side cost when nothing changed. Mirrors the same guard the
+	// DNS server already uses (previousConfigHash). Only the fields ApplyFiltering
+	// consumes participate in the hash, so an unrelated map change cannot mask a
+	// real ACL change.
+	hash, err := d.firewallConfigHash(networkMap, dnsRouteFeatureFlag)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("unable to hash firewall configuration, applying unconditionally: %v", err)
+	} else if d.hasAppliedConfig && d.previousConfigHash == hash {
+		log.Debugf("not applying the firewall configuration update as there is nothing new (hash: %d)", hash)
+		return
+	}
+
 	start := time.Now()
 	defer func() {
 		total := 0
@@ -70,13 +90,49 @@ func (d *DefaultManager) ApplyFiltering(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap, dnsRout
 
 	d.applyPeerACLs(networkMap)
 
-	if err := d.applyRouteACLs(networkMap.RoutesFirewallRules, dnsRouteFeatureFlag); err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("Failed to apply route ACLs: %v", err)
+	routeErr := d.applyRouteACLs(networkMap.RoutesFirewallRules, dnsRouteFeatureFlag)
+	if routeErr != nil {
+		log.Errorf("Failed to apply route ACLs: %v", routeErr)
 	}
 
-	if err := d.firewall.Flush(); err != nil {
-		log.Error("failed to flush firewall rules: ", err)
+	flushErr := d.firewall.Flush()
+	if flushErr != nil {
+		log.Error("failed to flush firewall rules: ", flushErr)
 	}
+
+	// Only remember the hash once the firewall actually reflects this config.
+	// If applying or flushing failed, leave the previous hash untouched so the
+	// next (possibly identical) update is not skipped and gets a chance to
+	// reconcile the firewall state.
+	if err == nil && routeErr == nil && flushErr == nil {
+		d.previousConfigHash = hash
+		d.hasAppliedConfig = true
+	} else {
+		d.hasAppliedConfig = false
+	}
+}
+
+// firewallConfigHash hashes exactly the inputs ApplyFiltering uses to build the
+// firewall state, so an identical hash means an identical resulting ruleset.
+func (d *DefaultManager) firewallConfigHash(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap, dnsRouteFeatureFlag bool) (uint64, error) {
+	return hashstructure.Hash(struct {
+		PeerRules            []*mgmProto.FirewallRule
+		PeerRulesIsEmpty     bool
+		RouteRules           []*mgmProto.RouteFirewallRule
+		RouteRulesIsEmpty    bool
+		DNSRouteFeatureFlag  bool
+	}{
+		PeerRules:           networkMap.GetFirewallRules(),
+		PeerRulesIsEmpty:    networkMap.GetFirewallRulesIsEmpty(),
+		RouteRules:          networkMap.GetRoutesFirewallRules(),
+		RouteRulesIsEmpty:   networkMap.GetRoutesFirewallRulesIsEmpty(),
+		DNSRouteFeatureFlag: dnsRouteFeatureFlag,
+	}, hashstructure.FormatV2, &hashstructure.HashOptions{
+		ZeroNil:         true,
+		IgnoreZeroValue: true,
+		SlicesAsSets:    true,
+		UseStringer:     true,
+	})
 }
 
 func (d *DefaultManager) applyPeerACLs(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) {

client/internal/acl/manager_test.go

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package acl
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"net/netip"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -485,3 +486,149 @@ func TestPortInfoEmpty(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
+
+// TestApplyFilteringSkipsUnchangedConfig verifies that an identical network map
+// re-applied is recognized as a no-op (hash unchanged), while a real change to
+// any firewall-relevant input forces a re-apply (hash changes). This is the
+// guard that prevents a full ruleset rebuild + flush on every redundant sync.
+func TestApplyFilteringSkipsUnchangedConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Setenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED", "true")
+	t.Setenv(firewall.EnvForceUserspaceFirewall, "true")
+
+	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
+	defer ctrl.Finish()
+
+	ifaceMock := mocks.NewMockIFaceMapper(ctrl)
+	ifaceMock.EXPECT().IsUserspaceBind().Return(true).AnyTimes()
+	ifaceMock.EXPECT().SetFilter(gomock.Any())
+	network := netip.MustParsePrefix("172.0.0.1/32")
+	ifaceMock.EXPECT().Name().Return("lo").AnyTimes()
+	ifaceMock.EXPECT().Address().Return(wgaddr.Address{
+		IP:      network.Addr(),
+		Network: network,
+	}).AnyTimes()
+	ifaceMock.EXPECT().GetWGDevice().Return(nil).AnyTimes()
+
+	fw, err := firewall.NewFirewall(ifaceMock, nil, flowLogger, false, iface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() {
+		require.NoError(t, fw.Close(nil))
+	}()
+
+	acl := NewDefaultManager(fw)
+
+	networkMap := &mgmProto.NetworkMap{
+		FirewallRules: []*mgmProto.FirewallRule{
+			{
+				PeerIP:    "10.93.0.1",
+				Direction: mgmProto.RuleDirection_IN,
+				Action:    mgmProto.RuleAction_ACCEPT,
+				Protocol:  mgmProto.RuleProtocol_TCP,
+				Port:      "22",
+			},
+		},
+		FirewallRulesIsEmpty: false,
+	}
+
+	acl.ApplyFiltering(networkMap, false)
+	require.True(t, acl.hasAppliedConfig, "config should be marked applied after first apply")
+	firstHash := acl.previousConfigHash
+	require.NotZero(t, firstHash)
+
+	// Re-applying the identical map must not change the recorded hash: the
+	// expensive rebuild path was skipped.
+	acl.ApplyFiltering(networkMap, false)
+	assert.Equal(t, firstHash, acl.previousConfigHash,
+		"identical re-apply must be a no-op (hash unchanged)")
+
+	// A real change must produce a different hash and re-apply.
+	networkMap.FirewallRules[0].Action = mgmProto.RuleAction_DROP
+	acl.ApplyFiltering(networkMap, false)
+	assert.NotEqual(t, firstHash, acl.previousConfigHash,
+		"changing a rule's action must force a re-apply (hash changed)")
+
+	// The dnsRouteFeatureFlag also participates in the hash.
+	changedHash := acl.previousConfigHash
+	acl.ApplyFiltering(networkMap, true)
+	assert.NotEqual(t, changedHash, acl.previousConfigHash,
+		"flipping dnsRouteFeatureFlag must force a re-apply (hash changed)")
+}
+
+func buildNetworkMap(peerRules, routeRules int) *mgmProto.NetworkMap {
+	nm := &mgmProto.NetworkMap{
+		FirewallRulesIsEmpty:      peerRules == 0,
+		RoutesFirewallRulesIsEmpty: routeRules == 0,
+	}
+	for i := range peerRules {
+		nm.FirewallRules = append(nm.FirewallRules, &mgmProto.FirewallRule{
+			PeerIP:    fmt.Sprintf("10.%d.%d.%d", i>>16&0xff, i>>8&0xff, i&0xff),
+			Direction: mgmProto.RuleDirection_IN,
+			Action:    mgmProto.RuleAction_ACCEPT,
+			Protocol:  mgmProto.RuleProtocol_TCP,
+			Port:      fmt.Sprintf("%d", 1024+i%64511),
+		})
+	}
+	for i := range routeRules {
+		nm.RoutesFirewallRules = append(nm.RoutesFirewallRules, &mgmProto.RouteFirewallRule{
+			Destination:  fmt.Sprintf("192.168.%d.0/24", i%256),
+			SourceRanges: []string{fmt.Sprintf("10.0.%d.0/24", i%256)},
+			Action:       mgmProto.RuleAction_ACCEPT,
+			Protocol:     mgmProto.RuleProtocol_ALL,
+		})
+	}
+	return nm
+}
+
+func BenchmarkFirewallConfigHash_Small(b *testing.B) {
+	d := &DefaultManager{}
+	nm := buildNetworkMap(10, 5)
+	b.ResetTimer()
+	for b.Loop() {
+		_, _ = d.firewallConfigHash(nm, false)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkFirewallConfigHash_Medium(b *testing.B) {
+	d := &DefaultManager{}
+	nm := buildNetworkMap(100, 50)
+	b.ResetTimer()
+	for b.Loop() {
+		_, _ = d.firewallConfigHash(nm, false)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkFirewallConfigHash_Large(b *testing.B) {
+	d := &DefaultManager{}
+	nm := buildNetworkMap(1000, 200)
+	b.ResetTimer()
+	for b.Loop() {
+		_, _ = d.firewallConfigHash(nm, false)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestFirewallConfigHashDeterministic verifies the hash is stable for equal
+// inputs and order-independent for the rule slices (management does not
+// guarantee rule order).
+func TestFirewallConfigHashDeterministic(t *testing.T) {
+	d := &DefaultManager{}
+
+	nm1 := &mgmProto.NetworkMap{
+		FirewallRules: []*mgmProto.FirewallRule{
+			{PeerIP: "10.0.0.1", Direction: mgmProto.RuleDirection_IN, Action: mgmProto.RuleAction_ACCEPT, Protocol: mgmProto.RuleProtocol_TCP, Port: "22"},
+			{PeerIP: "10.0.0.2", Direction: mgmProto.RuleDirection_IN, Action: mgmProto.RuleAction_DROP, Protocol: mgmProto.RuleProtocol_TCP, Port: "80"},
+		},
+	}
+	// Same rules, reversed order.
+	nm2 := &mgmProto.NetworkMap{
+		FirewallRules: []*mgmProto.FirewallRule{
+			nm1.FirewallRules[1],
+			nm1.FirewallRules[0],
+		},
+	}
+
+	h1, err := d.firewallConfigHash(nm1, false)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	h2, err := d.firewallConfigHash(nm2, false)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, h1, h2, "hash must be order-independent for rule slices")
+}

client/internal/auth/auth.go

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package auth
 import (
 	"context"
 	"net/url"
+	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
@@ -21,6 +22,25 @@ import (
 	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
 )
 
+// peerLoginExpiredMsg is the exact phrase the management server returns
+// when a previously SSO-enrolled peer's login has expired. Sourced from
+// shared/management/status/error.go (NewPeerLoginExpiredError). Matched
+// by substring so a future server-side rewording that keeps the phrase
+// still triggers the friendly fallback in Login().
+const peerLoginExpiredMsg = "peer login has expired"
+
+// errSetupKeyOnSSOExpiredPeer replaces the raw management error when the
+// user runs `netbird login -k <setup-key>` against a peer that was
+// originally enrolled via SSO. Wrapped in a PermissionDenied gRPC status
+// so callers' existing isPermissionDenied / isAuthError checks still
+// classify it correctly (early-exit from retry backoff, StatusNeedsLogin
+// in the server state machine).
+var errSetupKeyOnSSOExpiredPeer = status.Error(
+	codes.PermissionDenied,
+	"this peer was originally enrolled via SSO and its session has expired. "+
+		"Setup keys can only enrol new peers — run `netbird up` (interactive SSO) to re-login.",
+)
+
 // Auth manages authentication operations with the management server
 // It maintains a long-lived connection and automatically handles reconnection with backoff
 type Auth struct {
@@ -184,6 +204,15 @@ func (a *Auth) Login(ctx context.Context, setupKey string, jwtToken string) (err
 			log.Debugf("peer registration required")
 			_, err = a.registerPeer(client, ctx, setupKey, jwtToken, pubSSHKey)
 			if err != nil {
+				// The peer pub-key is already on file with the management
+				// server (originally enrolled via SSO) and the session has
+				// expired. The setup-key path can only enrol new peers, so
+				// retrying with -k will keep failing. Replace the raw mgm
+				// message with an actionable hint that tells the user to
+				// re-authenticate via SSO instead.
+				if setupKey != "" && jwtToken == "" && isPeerLoginExpired(err) {
+					err = errSetupKeyOnSSOExpiredPeer
+				}
 				isAuthError = isPermissionDenied(err)
 				return err
 			}
@@ -322,7 +351,6 @@ func (a *Auth) setSystemInfoFlags(info *system.Info) {
 		a.config.BlockLANAccess,
 		a.config.BlockInbound,
 		a.config.DisableIPv6,
-		a.config.LazyConnectionEnabled,
 		a.config.EnableSSHRoot,
 		a.config.EnableSSHSFTP,
 		a.config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding,
@@ -474,3 +502,16 @@ func isLoginNeeded(err error) bool {
 func isRegistrationNeeded(err error) bool {
 	return isPermissionDenied(err)
 }
+
+// isPeerLoginExpired reports whether err is the management server's
+// "peer login has expired" PermissionDenied response. Used by Login to
+// detect the case where the caller passed a setup-key but the peer is
+// actually an SSO-enrolled record whose session needs refreshing — the
+// setup-key path cannot help there.
+func isPeerLoginExpired(err error) bool {
+	if !isPermissionDenied(err) {
+		return false
+	}
+	s, _ := status.FromError(err)
+	return strings.Contains(s.Message(), peerLoginExpiredMsg)
+}

client/internal/auth/auth_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+package auth
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/codes"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/status"
+)
+
+func TestIsPeerLoginExpired(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		name string
+		err  error
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "nil",
+			err:  nil,
+			want: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "plain error (not a gRPC status)",
+			err:  errors.New("network read: connection reset"),
+			want: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "PermissionDenied with different message",
+			err:  status.Error(codes.PermissionDenied, "user is blocked"),
+			want: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "Unauthenticated with the expected phrase",
+			// Wrong status code — must still return false.
+			err:  status.Error(codes.Unauthenticated, "peer login has expired, please log in once more"),
+			want: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "exact server message",
+			err:  status.Error(codes.PermissionDenied, "peer login has expired, please log in once more"),
+			want: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "phrase as substring",
+			// Future-proofing: if mgm reworords but keeps the phrase,
+			// the friendly fallback must still kick in.
+			err:  status.Error(codes.PermissionDenied, "session refused: peer login has expired (account=foo)"),
+			want: true,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if got := isPeerLoginExpired(tc.err); got != tc.want {
+				t.Fatalf("isPeerLoginExpired(%v) = %v, want %v", tc.err, got, tc.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestErrSetupKeyOnSSOExpiredPeer(t *testing.T) {
+	// Sentinel must surface as PermissionDenied so the upstream
+	// isPermissionDenied / isAuthError checks classify it correctly
+	// (short-circuit retry backoff, set StatusNeedsLogin).
+	if !isPermissionDenied(errSetupKeyOnSSOExpiredPeer) {
+		t.Fatalf("errSetupKeyOnSSOExpiredPeer must be a PermissionDenied gRPC error")
+	}
+
+	// Message must actually mention SSO and `netbird up` so it is
+	// actionable for the end user. Loose substring checks keep the
+	// test resilient to copy edits.
+	s, _ := status.FromError(errSetupKeyOnSSOExpiredPeer)
+	msg := strings.ToLower(s.Message())
+	for _, want := range []string{"sso", "netbird up"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(msg, want) {
+			t.Errorf("sentinel message should contain %q, got %q", want, s.Message())
+		}
+	}
+}

client/internal/auth/device_flow.go

@@ -259,12 +259,18 @@ func (d *DeviceAuthorizationFlow) WaitToken(ctx context.Context, info AuthFlowIn
 	ticker := time.NewTicker(interval)
 	defer ticker.Stop()
 
+	log.Infof("device flow: waiting for user authorization, polling token endpoint every %s, code expires in %s", interval, timeout)
+
+	start := time.Now()
+	polls := 0
+
 	for {
 		select {
 		case <-waitCtx.Done():
 			return TokenInfo{}, waitCtx.Err()
 		case <-ticker.C:
 
+			polls++
 			tokenResponse, err := d.requestToken(info)
 			if err != nil {
 				return TokenInfo{}, fmt.Errorf("parsing token response failed with error: %v", err)
@@ -272,10 +278,12 @@ func (d *DeviceAuthorizationFlow) WaitToken(ctx context.Context, info AuthFlowIn
 
 			if tokenResponse.Error != "" {
 				if tokenResponse.Error == "authorization_pending" {
+					log.Tracef("device flow: authorization still pending after poll %d", polls)
 					continue
 				} else if tokenResponse.Error == "slow_down" {
 					interval += (3 * time.Second)
 					ticker.Reset(interval)
+					log.Infof("device flow: IdP requested slow_down, polling interval increased to %s", interval)
 					continue
 				}
 
@@ -291,11 +299,12 @@ func (d *DeviceAuthorizationFlow) WaitToken(ctx context.Context, info AuthFlowIn
 				UseIDToken:   d.providerConfig.UseIDToken,
 			}
 
-			err = isValidAccessToken(tokenInfo.GetTokenToUse(), d.providerConfig.Audience)
+			err = validateTokenAudience(tokenInfo.GetTokenToUse(), d.providerConfig.Audience)
 			if err != nil {
 				return TokenInfo{}, fmt.Errorf("validate access token failed with error: %v", err)
 			}
 
+			log.Infof("device flow: user authorization confirmed after %d polls in %s", polls, time.Since(start).Round(time.Second))
 			return tokenInfo, err
 		}
 	}

client/internal/auth/pending_flow.go

@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+package auth
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// PendingFlow stores an in-progress OAuth flow between the RPC that
+// initiates it (returns the verification URI to the UI) and the RPC
+// that waits for the user to complete it. The flow handle, the
+// device-code info, and the absolute expiry are kept together so the
+// waiting RPC can validate the device code and reuse the same flow.
+//
+// PendingFlow is safe for concurrent use; callers must not access the
+// stored fields directly.
+type PendingFlow struct {
+	mu         sync.Mutex
+	flow       OAuthFlow
+	info       AuthFlowInfo
+	expiresAt  time.Time
+	waitCancel context.CancelFunc
+}
+
+// NewPendingFlow returns an empty PendingFlow ready to be populated by Set.
+func NewPendingFlow() *PendingFlow {
+	return &PendingFlow{}
+}
+
+// Set stores the flow and its authorization info, computing the absolute
+// expiry from info.ExpiresIn (seconds, as returned by the IdP).
+func (p *PendingFlow) Set(flow OAuthFlow, info AuthFlowInfo) {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	p.flow = flow
+	p.info = info
+	p.expiresAt = time.Now().Add(time.Duration(info.ExpiresIn) * time.Second)
+}
+
+// Get returns the stored flow, info, and whether a flow is currently
+// pending. Returns (nil, zero, false) after Clear or before Set.
+func (p *PendingFlow) Get() (OAuthFlow, AuthFlowInfo, bool) {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	if p.flow == nil {
+		return nil, AuthFlowInfo{}, false
+	}
+	return p.flow, p.info, true
+}
+
+// ExpiresAt returns the absolute expiry of the pending flow. Returns
+// the zero time when no flow is pending.
+func (p *PendingFlow) ExpiresAt() time.Time {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	return p.expiresAt
+}
+
+// SetWaitCancel records the cancel function for the goroutine currently
+// blocked in WaitToken so a new RequestAuth can preempt it.
+func (p *PendingFlow) SetWaitCancel(cancel context.CancelFunc) {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	p.waitCancel = cancel
+}
+
+// CancelWait invokes and clears the stored wait-cancel, if any. Safe to
+// call when no wait is in progress.
+func (p *PendingFlow) CancelWait() {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	cancel := p.waitCancel
+	p.waitCancel = nil
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+	if cancel != nil {
+		cancel()
+	}
+}
+
+// Clear resets the pending flow to empty. Any stored wait-cancel is
+// dropped without being invoked — call CancelWait first if the waiting
+// goroutine must be stopped.
+func (p *PendingFlow) Clear() {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	p.flow = nil
+	p.info = AuthFlowInfo{}
+	p.expiresAt = time.Time{}
+	p.waitCancel = nil
+}

client/internal/auth/pkce_flow.go

@@ -188,6 +188,8 @@ func (p *PKCEAuthorizationFlow) WaitToken(ctx context.Context, info AuthFlowInfo
 	waitCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, timeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
+	log.Infof("pkce flow: waiting for authorization callback on %s, timeout %s", p.oAuthConfig.RedirectURL, timeout)
+
 	tokenChan := make(chan *oauth2.Token, 1)
 	errChan := make(chan error, 1)
 
@@ -221,6 +223,7 @@ func (p *PKCEAuthorizationFlow) WaitToken(ctx context.Context, info AuthFlowInfo
 func (p *PKCEAuthorizationFlow) startServer(server *http.Server, tokenChan chan<- *oauth2.Token, errChan chan<- error) {
 	mux := http.NewServeMux()
 	mux.HandleFunc("/", func(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
+		log.Infof("pkce flow: received authorization callback from IdP")
 		cert := p.providerConfig.ClientCertPair
 		if cert != nil {
 			tr := &http.Transport{
@@ -271,11 +274,18 @@ func (p *PKCEAuthorizationFlow) handleRequest(req *http.Request) (*oauth2.Token,
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("authentication failed: missing code")
 	}
 
-	return p.oAuthConfig.Exchange(
+	exchangeStart := time.Now()
+	token, err := p.oAuthConfig.Exchange(
 		req.Context(),
 		code,
 		oauth2.SetAuthURLParam("code_verifier", p.codeVerifier),
 	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("pkce flow: authorization code exchanged for token in %s", time.Since(exchangeStart).Round(time.Millisecond))
+	return token, nil
 }
 
 func (p *PKCEAuthorizationFlow) parseOAuthToken(token *oauth2.Token) (TokenInfo, error) {
@@ -296,7 +306,7 @@ func (p *PKCEAuthorizationFlow) parseOAuthToken(token *oauth2.Token) (TokenInfo,
 		audience = p.providerConfig.ClientID
 	}
 
-	if err := isValidAccessToken(tokenInfo.GetTokenToUse(), audience); err != nil {
+	if err := validateTokenAudience(tokenInfo.GetTokenToUse(), audience); err != nil {
 		return TokenInfo{}, fmt.Errorf("authentication failed: invalid access token - %w", err)
 	}
 
@@ -310,6 +320,11 @@ func (p *PKCEAuthorizationFlow) parseOAuthToken(token *oauth2.Token) (TokenInfo,
 	return tokenInfo, nil
 }
 
+// parseEmailFromIDToken extracts the email (or name) claim from an ID token
+// without verifying its signature. The value is best-effort and used only as a
+// UX convenience (login hint prefill and display); it never drives an
+// authorization decision. The authoritative identity is established server-side
+// from the signature-verified token.
 func parseEmailFromIDToken(token string) (string, error) {
 	parts := strings.Split(token, ".")
 	if len(parts) < 2 {

client/internal/auth/sessionwatch/event.go

@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+package sessionwatch
+
+import (
+	"strconv"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// internal event kinds are no longer exposed: the watcher drives the Sink
+// directly (NotifyStateChange on deadline change/clear, PublishEvent at
+// each warning lead). Tests use a mock Sink to observe what the watcher
+// emits.
+
+// Metadata keys attached by the daemon to session-warning SystemEvents.
+// The UI tray reads these to build a locale-aware notification without
+// relying on the daemon's locale-less UserMessage string, and to
+// disambiguate the T-WarningLead notification from the T-FinalWarningLead
+// fallback that auto-opens the SessionAboutToExpire dialog.
+const (
+	// MetaSessionWarning is set to "true" on both warning events (T-10 and
+	// T-2) so the UI can detect a session-warning SystemEvent without
+	// matching on the message text. Use MetaSessionFinal to distinguish
+	// the two.
+	MetaSessionWarning = "session_warning"
+	// MetaSessionFinal is set to "true" on the T-FinalWarningLead event
+	// only. Consumers that need to auto-open the SessionAboutToExpire
+	// dialog gate on this; T-WarningLead events leave the field unset.
+	MetaSessionFinal = "session_final_warning"
+	// MetaSessionExpiresAt carries the absolute UTC deadline encoded with
+	// FormatExpiresAt; consumers must decode with ParseExpiresAt so a
+	// future format change stays a single edit.
+	MetaSessionExpiresAt = "session_expires_at"
+	// MetaSessionLeadMinutes carries the lead in whole minutes (WarningLead
+	// for the T-10 event, FinalWarningLead for the T-2 event) so the UI
+	// can show "expires in ~N minutes" without hardcoding either constant.
+	MetaSessionLeadMinutes = "lead_minutes"
+	// MetaSessionDeadlineRejected is attached to the ERROR/AUTHENTICATION
+	// SystemEvent the daemon emits when it discards a deadline from the
+	// management server (pre-epoch, too far in the future, or past the
+	// clock-skew tolerance). The value is the rejection reason string.
+	// userMessage is left empty; the UI detects the event via this key
+	// and builds a localized notification — same pattern as the session
+	// warnings above.
+	MetaSessionDeadlineRejected = "session_deadline_rejected"
+)
+
+// expiresAtLayout is the wire format used for MetaSessionExpiresAt.
+// Producer and consumers both go through FormatExpiresAt/ParseExpiresAt
+// so this layout stays a single source of truth.
+const expiresAtLayout = time.RFC3339
+
+// FormatExpiresAt encodes a deadline for MetaSessionExpiresAt. Always
+// emits UTC so a consumer in another timezone reads the same wall-clock
+// deadline.
+func FormatExpiresAt(t time.Time) string {
+	return t.UTC().Format(expiresAtLayout)
+}
+
+// ParseExpiresAt decodes the MetaSessionExpiresAt value back to a UTC
+// time. Returns an error when the field is empty or malformed; the
+// caller decides whether to fall back (zero value) or propagate.
+func ParseExpiresAt(s string) (time.Time, error) {
+	t, err := time.Parse(expiresAtLayout, s)
+	if err != nil {
+		return time.Time{}, err
+	}
+	return t.UTC(), nil
+}
+
+// FormatLeadMinutes encodes a lead duration for MetaSessionLeadMinutes
+// as the integer count of whole minutes. Sub-minute residuals are
+// truncated — the field is informational ("expires in ~N minutes") and
+// fractional minutes don't change what the UI displays.
+func FormatLeadMinutes(d time.Duration) string {
+	return strconv.Itoa(int(d / time.Minute))
+}
+
+// ParseLeadMinutes decodes a MetaSessionLeadMinutes value. Returns 0
+// and the parse error for malformed input; consumers that prefer a
+// silent fallback can simply ignore the error.
+func ParseLeadMinutes(s string) (int, error) {
+	return strconv.Atoi(s)
+}

client/internal/auth/sessionwatch/watcher.go

@@ -0,0 +1,387 @@
+// Package sessionwatch tracks the SSO session expiry deadline that the
+// management server publishes via LoginResponse / SyncResponse and fires
+// two warning events at fixed lead times before expiry: an interactive
+// T-WarningLead notification and a dismiss-gated T-FinalWarningLead
+// fallback dialog.
+//
+// The watcher is idempotent: Update may be called as often as the network
+// map snapshots arrive. Repeating the same deadline is a no-op; a new
+// deadline reschedules the timers and arms a fresh warning cycle.
+//
+// Warning firing is edge-detected. Each unique deadline value fires each
+// warning callback at most once.
+package sessionwatch
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	cProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+)
+
+const (
+	// Skew tolerates a small clock difference between the management
+	// server and this peer before treating a deadline as "in the past".
+	// Slightly above typical NTP drift; tight enough that the UI doesn't
+	// paint a stale expiry as if it were valid.
+	Skew = 30 * time.Second
+
+	// maxDeadlineHorizon caps how far in the future an accepted deadline
+	// can sit. A timestamp beyond this is almost certainly a protocol
+	// glitch, and silently arming a 100-year timer would hide the bug.
+	maxDeadlineHorizon = 10 * 365 * 24 * time.Hour
+
+	// WarningLead is how far before expiry the first (interactive)
+	// warning fires. Drives the T-10 OS notification with
+	// Extend/Dismiss actions.
+	WarningLead = 10 * time.Minute
+
+	// FinalWarningLead is how far before expiry the fallback final
+	// warning fires. Drives the auto-opened SessionAboutToExpire dialog,
+	// but only when the user has not dismissed the T-WarningLead warning
+	// for the same deadline. Must be strictly less than WarningLead.
+	FinalWarningLead = 2 * time.Minute
+)
+
+var (
+	// ErrDeadlineBeforeEpoch is returned by Update when the supplied
+	// deadline pre-dates 1970-01-01.
+	ErrDeadlineBeforeEpoch = errors.New("session deadline before unix epoch")
+
+	// ErrDeadlineTooFarFuture is returned by Update when the supplied
+	// deadline is more than maxDeadlineHorizon in the future.
+	ErrDeadlineTooFarFuture = errors.New("session deadline too far in the future")
+
+	// ErrDeadlineInPast is returned by Update when the supplied deadline
+	// is more than Skew in the past.
+	ErrDeadlineInPast = errors.New("session deadline in the past")
+)
+
+// StatusRecorder is the side-effect surface the watcher drives on every
+// state transition. Production wires this to peer.Status (SetSessionExpiresAt
+// for deadline change/clear, PublishEvent for the two warnings); tests pass
+// a fake recorder so the same surface is observable without an engine.
+//
+// The watcher is the single owner of the deadline propagated to the
+// recorder: every set, clear, sanity-check rejection and Close routes the
+// value through SetSessionExpiresAt, so the SubscribeStatus snapshot the UI
+// reads can never drift from the watcher's timer state. (SetSessionExpiresAt
+// fans out its own state-change notification, so no separate notify is
+// needed.) The recorder is server-scoped and outlives this engine-scoped
+// watcher — without the Close-time clear a teardown (Down, or the Down+Up of
+// a profile switch) would leave the next session showing the previous one's
+// stale "expires in" value.
+//
+// PublishEvent's signature mirrors peer.Status.PublishEvent: the watcher
+// composes the metadata internally so the wire format (MetaSession*) is
+// owned by sessionwatch, not the caller.
+type StatusRecorder interface {
+	SetSessionExpiresAt(deadline time.Time)
+	PublishEvent(
+		severity cProto.SystemEvent_Severity,
+		category cProto.SystemEvent_Category,
+		message string,
+		userMessage string,
+		metadata map[string]string,
+	)
+}
+
+// Watcher observes the latest session deadline and fires two warnings
+// before it expires: the interactive T-WarningLead notification, and the
+// fallback T-FinalWarningLead dialog (suppressed when the user dismissed
+// the first one for the same deadline). Safe for concurrent use.
+type Watcher struct {
+	lead      time.Duration
+	finalLead time.Duration
+
+	mu           sync.Mutex
+	current      time.Time
+	timer        *time.Timer
+	finalTimer   *time.Timer
+	firedAt      time.Time // deadline value the T-WarningLead callback last fired against
+	finalFiredAt time.Time // deadline value the T-FinalWarningLead callback last fired against
+	dismissedAt  time.Time // deadline value the user dismissed via Dismiss(); gates fireFinal
+	closed       bool
+	recorder     StatusRecorder
+}
+
+// New returns a watcher with the package defaults WarningLead and
+// FinalWarningLead. Pass nil for recorder to silence side effects (handy
+// in unit tests that exercise sanity checks without observing the publish
+// path).
+func New(recorder StatusRecorder) *Watcher {
+	return NewWithLeads(WarningLead, FinalWarningLead, recorder)
+}
+
+// NewWithLeads returns a watcher with custom lead times. Useful for tests.
+// final must be strictly less than lead; otherwise both timers fire in the
+// wrong order or simultaneously and the UI flow breaks. A zero final lead
+// disables the final-warning timer entirely (see armTimerLocked) so a
+// millisecond-scale deadline doesn't flush both timers in one tick.
+func NewWithLeads(lead, final time.Duration, recorder StatusRecorder) *Watcher {
+	return &Watcher{
+		lead:      lead,
+		finalLead: final,
+		recorder:  recorder,
+	}
+}
+
+// Update sets the latest deadline. Pass the zero time to clear (e.g. when
+// a Sync push from the server omits the field because login expiration
+// was disabled).
+//
+// Same-value updates are no-ops. A different non-zero value cancels any
+// pending timer, resets the "already fired" guard, and arms a new one.
+//
+// Returns one of the sentinel Err* values when the deadline fails the
+// sanity checks (pre-epoch, far future, or in the past beyond Skew).
+// In every error case the watcher first clears its state so it stays
+// consistent with what the caller will push into its other sinks (e.g.
+// applySessionDeadline forces a zero deadline into the status recorder
+// after a non-nil error).
+func (w *Watcher) Update(deadline time.Time) error {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	if w.closed {
+		w.mu.Unlock()
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if deadline.IsZero() {
+		w.clearLocked()
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	now := time.Now()
+	switch {
+	case deadline.Before(time.Unix(0, 0)):
+		w.clearLocked()
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", ErrDeadlineBeforeEpoch, deadline)
+	case deadline.After(now.Add(maxDeadlineHorizon)):
+		w.clearLocked()
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", ErrDeadlineTooFarFuture, deadline)
+	case deadline.Before(now.Add(-Skew)):
+		w.clearLocked()
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %v (now=%v)", ErrDeadlineInPast, deadline, now)
+	}
+
+	if deadline.Equal(w.current) {
+		w.mu.Unlock()
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	w.stopTimerLocked()
+	w.current = deadline
+	// Reset every per-deadline guard so a refreshed deadline arms a fresh
+	// warning cycle: both edge triggers and the user Dismiss decision
+	// (the user agreed to the old deadline expiring; a new deadline
+	// restarts the contract).
+	w.firedAt = time.Time{}
+	w.finalFiredAt = time.Time{}
+	w.dismissedAt = time.Time{}
+
+	w.armTimerLocked(deadline)
+	recorder := w.recorder
+	w.mu.Unlock()
+	if recorder != nil {
+		recorder.SetSessionExpiresAt(deadline)
+	}
+	log.Infof("auth session deadline set to: %s (in %s)", deadline.Format(time.RFC3339), time.Until(deadline).Round(time.Second))
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Deadline returns the most recently observed deadline. Zero when no
+// deadline is currently tracked.
+func (w *Watcher) Deadline() time.Time {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	defer w.mu.Unlock()
+	return w.current
+}
+
+// Dismiss records the user's "Dismiss" action against the current deadline
+// and suppresses the upcoming final-warning callback for that deadline.
+// Idempotent: repeated calls are no-ops. A subsequent Update with a fresh
+// deadline resets the dismissal so the final-warning cycle re-arms.
+//
+// No-op when the watcher holds no deadline or has been closed.
+func (w *Watcher) Dismiss() {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	defer w.mu.Unlock()
+	if w.closed || w.current.IsZero() {
+		return
+	}
+	if w.dismissedAt.Equal(w.current) {
+		return
+	}
+	w.dismissedAt = w.current
+	// Cancel the armed final-warning timer eagerly. fireFinal would also
+	// gate on dismissedAt, but stopping the timer avoids a wakeup with
+	// nothing to do and makes the intent visible.
+	if w.finalTimer != nil {
+		w.finalTimer.Stop()
+		w.finalTimer = nil
+	}
+	log.Infof("auth session final-warning dismissed for deadline %s", w.current.Format(time.RFC3339))
+}
+
+// Close stops any pending timer and drops the deadline on the status
+// recorder. Update calls after Close are ignored. Clearing the recorder
+// here is what keeps a teardown (Down, or the Down+Up of a profile switch)
+// from leaving the next session showing this one's stale "expires in"
+// value — the recorder is server-scoped and outlives this engine-scoped
+// watcher, so nothing else drops the anchor on teardown.
+func (w *Watcher) Close() {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	if w.closed {
+		w.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	w.closed = true
+	w.stopTimerLocked()
+	hadDeadline := !w.current.IsZero()
+	w.current = time.Time{}
+	w.firedAt = time.Time{}
+	w.finalFiredAt = time.Time{}
+	w.dismissedAt = time.Time{}
+	recorder := w.recorder
+	w.mu.Unlock()
+	if recorder != nil && hadDeadline {
+		recorder.SetSessionExpiresAt(time.Time{})
+	}
+}
+
+// clearLocked drops the tracked deadline and notifies the recorder so
+// downstream consumers (SubscribeStatus stream, UI) drop their anchor.
+// The caller must hold w.mu; this helper releases it before invoking
+// the recorder.
+func (w *Watcher) clearLocked() {
+	if w.current.IsZero() {
+		w.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	w.stopTimerLocked()
+	w.current = time.Time{}
+	w.firedAt = time.Time{}
+	w.finalFiredAt = time.Time{}
+	w.dismissedAt = time.Time{}
+	recorder := w.recorder
+	w.mu.Unlock()
+	if recorder != nil {
+		recorder.SetSessionExpiresAt(time.Time{})
+	}
+	log.Infof("auth session deadline cleared")
+}
+
+func (w *Watcher) stopTimerLocked() {
+	if w.timer != nil {
+		w.timer.Stop()
+		w.timer = nil
+	}
+	if w.finalTimer != nil {
+		w.finalTimer.Stop()
+		w.finalTimer = nil
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *Watcher) armTimerLocked(deadline time.Time) {
+	w.timer = armOneShotLocked(deadline.Add(-w.lead), func() { w.fire(deadline) })
+	// finalLead <= 0 disables the final-warning timer entirely. Used by
+	// tests that predate the final-warning fallback so a millisecond-scale
+	// deadline does not flush both timers at once.
+	if w.finalLead > 0 {
+		w.finalTimer = armOneShotLocked(deadline.Add(-w.finalLead), func() { w.fireFinal(deadline) })
+	}
+}
+
+func (w *Watcher) fire(armedFor time.Time) {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	if w.closed || !w.current.Equal(armedFor) {
+		// Deadline moved while we were waiting (e.g. a successful extend).
+		// The reschedule path armed a fresh timer; this one is stale.
+		w.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	if !w.firedAt.IsZero() && w.firedAt.Equal(armedFor) {
+		w.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	w.firedAt = armedFor
+	recorder := w.recorder
+	w.mu.Unlock()
+	if recorder == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	log.Infof("auth session expiry soon warning fired")
+	publishWarning(recorder, armedFor, false)
+}
+
+// fireFinal mirrors fire for the T-FinalWarningLead timer with an extra
+// dismiss-gate: if the user dismissed the T-WarningLead notification for
+// this deadline, the final warning is suppressed entirely.
+func (w *Watcher) fireFinal(armedFor time.Time) {
+	w.mu.Lock()
+	if w.closed || !w.current.Equal(armedFor) {
+		w.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	if !w.finalFiredAt.IsZero() && w.finalFiredAt.Equal(armedFor) {
+		w.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	if w.dismissedAt.Equal(armedFor) {
+		w.mu.Unlock()
+		log.Infof("auth session final-warning skipped (dismissed by user)")
+		return
+	}
+	w.finalFiredAt = armedFor
+	recorder := w.recorder
+	w.mu.Unlock()
+	if recorder == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	log.Infof("auth session final-warning fired")
+	publishWarning(recorder, armedFor, true)
+}
+
+// armOneShotLocked schedules cb at fireAt. When fireAt is already in the
+// past it dispatches on the next scheduler tick so a state-change recorder
+// notification (invoked after w.mu is released) lands first. Caller must
+// hold w.mu.
+func armOneShotLocked(fireAt time.Time, cb func()) *time.Timer {
+	delay := time.Until(fireAt)
+	if delay <= 0 {
+		return time.AfterFunc(0, cb)
+	}
+	return time.AfterFunc(delay, cb)
+}
+
+// publishWarning composes the SystemEvent for a watcher-fired warning and
+// pushes it through the recorder. Severity is CRITICAL on both — bypassing
+// the user's Notifications toggle is deliberate: missing the warning
+// window forces the post-mortem SessionExpired flow (tunnel torn down,
+// lock icon, manual re-login), which is the UX we are trying to avoid.
+func publishWarning(recorder StatusRecorder, deadline time.Time, final bool) {
+	lead := WarningLead
+	message := "session expiry warning"
+	meta := map[string]string{
+		MetaSessionWarning:   "true",
+		MetaSessionExpiresAt: FormatExpiresAt(deadline),
+	}
+	if final {
+		lead = FinalWarningLead
+		message = "session expiry final warning"
+		meta[MetaSessionFinal] = "true"
+	}
+	meta[MetaSessionLeadMinutes] = FormatLeadMinutes(lead)
+
+	recorder.PublishEvent(
+		cProto.SystemEvent_CRITICAL,
+		cProto.SystemEvent_AUTHENTICATION,
+		message,
+		"",
+		meta,
+	)
+}

client/internal/auth/sessionwatch/watcher_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,519 @@
+package sessionwatch
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	cProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+)
+
+// fakeRecorder satisfies StatusRecorder and records every call so tests
+// can observe what the watcher emits. SetSessionExpiresAt and PublishEvent
+// land in the same ordered events slice (with the Kind distinguishing
+// them) so tests that care about ordering still work. lastDeadline holds
+// the most recent value passed to SetSessionExpiresAt so tests can assert
+// the recorder ended up cleared/set as expected.
+type fakeRecorder struct {
+	mu           sync.Mutex
+	events       []event
+	lastDeadline time.Time
+}
+
+type eventKind int
+
+const (
+	stateChange eventKind = iota
+	publish
+)
+
+type event struct {
+	kind eventKind
+	// Set only for publish events.
+	severity cProto.SystemEvent_Severity
+	category cProto.SystemEvent_Category
+	message  string
+	meta     map[string]string
+}
+
+// SetSessionExpiresAt mirrors peer.Status: a same-value write is a no-op,
+// a real change records the new value and fans out a state-change (the
+// production recorder calls notifyStateChange internally). The baseline
+// is the zero time, so an initial clear before any deadline is set emits
+// nothing — matching the real recorder.
+func (r *fakeRecorder) SetSessionExpiresAt(deadline time.Time) {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	if r.lastDeadline.Equal(deadline) {
+		return
+	}
+	r.lastDeadline = deadline
+	r.events = append(r.events, event{kind: stateChange})
+}
+
+func (r *fakeRecorder) deadline() time.Time {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	return r.lastDeadline
+}
+
+func (r *fakeRecorder) PublishEvent(
+	severity cProto.SystemEvent_Severity,
+	category cProto.SystemEvent_Category,
+	message string,
+	_ string,
+	metadata map[string]string,
+) {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	r.events = append(r.events, event{
+		kind:     publish,
+		severity: severity,
+		category: category,
+		message:  message,
+		meta:     metadata,
+	})
+}
+
+func (r *fakeRecorder) snapshot() []event {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	out := make([]event, len(r.events))
+	copy(out, r.events)
+	return out
+}
+
+func (e event) isFinalWarning() bool {
+	return e.kind == publish && e.meta[MetaSessionFinal] == "true"
+}
+
+func (e event) isWarning() bool {
+	return e.kind == publish && e.meta[MetaSessionWarning] == "true" && e.meta[MetaSessionFinal] != "true"
+}
+
+func countWhere(events []event, pred func(event) bool) int {
+	n := 0
+	for _, e := range events {
+		if pred(e) {
+			n++
+		}
+	}
+	return n
+}
+
+func waitForEvents(t *testing.T, r *fakeRecorder, want int) []event {
+	t.Helper()
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(500 * time.Millisecond)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if got := r.snapshot(); len(got) >= want {
+			return got
+		}
+		time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	got := r.snapshot()
+	t.Fatalf("timed out waiting for %d events, got %d: %+v", want, len(got), got)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// newWatcher builds a watcher with the final timer disabled (finalLead=0),
+// matching the lead-only behaviour the pre-final-warning tests assume.
+func newWatcher(lead time.Duration, r *fakeRecorder) *Watcher {
+	return NewWithLeads(lead, 0, r)
+}
+
+func TestUpdateZeroBeforeAnythingIsNoop(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := newWatcher(50*time.Millisecond, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	_ = w.Update(time.Time{})
+
+	if got := r.snapshot(); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected no events on initial zero, got %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateNonZeroFiresStateChange(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := newWatcher(50*time.Millisecond, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	d := time.Now().Add(time.Hour)
+	_ = w.Update(d)
+
+	events := waitForEvents(t, r, 1)
+	if events[0].kind != stateChange {
+		t.Fatalf("expected stateChange, got %+v", events[0])
+	}
+	if !w.Deadline().Equal(d) {
+		t.Fatalf("deadline mismatch: %v vs %v", w.Deadline(), d)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSameDeadlineIsNoop(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := newWatcher(50*time.Millisecond, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	d := time.Now().Add(time.Hour)
+	_ = w.Update(d)
+	_ = w.Update(d)
+	_ = w.Update(d)
+
+	events := waitForEvents(t, r, 1)
+	if len(events) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected exactly 1 event for repeated same deadline, got %d: %+v", len(events), events)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWarningFiresOnceWithinLeadWindow(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	lead := 50 * time.Millisecond
+	w := newWatcher(lead, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	// Deadline 80ms out — warning should fire after ~30ms.
+	d := time.Now().Add(80 * time.Millisecond)
+	_ = w.Update(d)
+
+	events := waitForEvents(t, r, 2)
+	if events[0].kind != stateChange {
+		t.Fatalf("event[0] should be stateChange, got %+v", events[0])
+	}
+	if !events[1].isWarning() {
+		t.Fatalf("event[1] should be a warning publish, got %+v", events[1])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWarningFiresImmediatelyWhenAlreadyInsideWindow(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := newWatcher(time.Hour, r) // lead > delta => fire immediately
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	d := time.Now().Add(10 * time.Millisecond)
+	_ = w.Update(d)
+
+	events := waitForEvents(t, r, 2)
+	if !events[1].isWarning() {
+		t.Fatalf("expected immediate warning publish, got %+v", events[1])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewDeadlineCancelsPriorTimer(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	lead := 50 * time.Millisecond
+	w := newWatcher(lead, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	first := time.Now().Add(80 * time.Millisecond) // would fire warning ~30ms in
+	_ = w.Update(first)
+
+	// Replace with a far-future deadline before the warning fires.
+	time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
+	second := time.Now().Add(time.Hour)
+	_ = w.Update(second)
+
+	// Wait past when first's warning would have fired.
+	time.Sleep(80 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	if n := countWhere(r.snapshot(), event.isWarning); n != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("warning fired for cancelled deadline: %+v", r.snapshot())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRefreshAfterFireArmsNewWarning(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	lead := 30 * time.Millisecond
+	w := newWatcher(lead, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	first := time.Now().Add(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	_ = w.Update(first)
+
+	// Wait for stateChange + warning of the first cycle.
+	waitForEvents(t, r, 2)
+
+	// Simulate a successful extend: brand new deadline.
+	second := time.Now().Add(60 * time.Millisecond)
+	_ = w.Update(second)
+
+	// 4 events total: stateChange, warning (first), stateChange, warning (second).
+	events := waitForEvents(t, r, 4)
+	if events[2].kind != stateChange {
+		t.Fatalf("event[2] should be stateChange for the new deadline, got %+v", events[2])
+	}
+	if !events[3].isWarning() {
+		t.Fatalf("event[3] should be a warning publish for the new deadline, got %+v", events[3])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateZeroAfterNonZeroClearsState(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := newWatcher(time.Hour, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	d := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Hour)
+	_ = w.Update(d)
+	waitForEvents(t, r, 1)
+
+	_ = w.Update(time.Time{})
+
+	events := waitForEvents(t, r, 2)
+	if events[1].kind != stateChange {
+		t.Fatalf("expected stateChange on clear, got %+v", events[1])
+	}
+	if !w.Deadline().IsZero() {
+		t.Fatalf("Deadline should be zero after clear")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateRejectsBeforeEpoch(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := newWatcher(50*time.Millisecond, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	good := time.Now().Add(time.Hour)
+	if err := w.Update(good); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed Update: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	err := w.Update(time.Unix(-100, 0))
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrDeadlineBeforeEpoch) {
+		t.Fatalf("want ErrDeadlineBeforeEpoch, got %v", err)
+	}
+	if !w.Deadline().IsZero() {
+		t.Fatalf("rejected pre-epoch update must clear deadline; got %v", w.Deadline())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateRejectsTooFarFuture(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := newWatcher(50*time.Millisecond, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	good := time.Now().Add(time.Hour)
+	if err := w.Update(good); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed Update: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	err := w.Update(time.Now().Add(50 * 365 * 24 * time.Hour))
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrDeadlineTooFarFuture) {
+		t.Fatalf("want ErrDeadlineTooFarFuture, got %v", err)
+	}
+	if !w.Deadline().IsZero() {
+		t.Fatalf("rejected far-future update must clear deadline; got %v", w.Deadline())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateInPastClearsDeadline(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := newWatcher(50*time.Millisecond, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	good := time.Now().Add(time.Hour)
+	if err := w.Update(good); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed Update: %v", err)
+	}
+	// Drain the stateChange from the seed.
+	waitForEvents(t, r, 1)
+
+	err := w.Update(time.Now().Add(-1 * time.Hour))
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrDeadlineInPast) {
+		t.Fatalf("want ErrDeadlineInPast, got %v", err)
+	}
+	if !w.Deadline().IsZero() {
+		t.Fatalf("in-past update must clear the deadline, got %v", w.Deadline())
+	}
+	events := waitForEvents(t, r, 2)
+	if events[1].kind != stateChange {
+		t.Fatalf("expected stateChange on clear, got %+v", events[1])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateWithinSkewAccepted(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := newWatcher(50*time.Millisecond, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	// 5 seconds in the past is within the 30s Skew tolerance — accept it.
+	d := time.Now().Add(-5 * time.Second)
+	if err := w.Update(d); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("within-skew Update should succeed, got %v", err)
+	}
+	if !w.Deadline().Equal(d) {
+		t.Fatalf("expected deadline to be applied, got %v want %v", w.Deadline(), d)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCloseSilencesUpdates(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := newWatcher(50*time.Millisecond, r)
+	w.Close()
+
+	_ = w.Update(time.Now().Add(time.Hour))
+
+	time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
+	if got := r.snapshot(); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected no events after Close, got %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestCloseClearsRecorderDeadline pins the profile-switch fix: a watcher
+// holding a live deadline must zero the recorder on Close so the next
+// engine's watcher (and the UI reading the shared server-scoped recorder)
+// doesn't start out showing the previous session's stale "expires in".
+func TestCloseClearsRecorderDeadline(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := newWatcher(time.Hour, r)
+
+	d := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Hour)
+	if err := w.Update(d); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed Update: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got := r.deadline(); !got.Equal(d) {
+		t.Fatalf("recorder deadline after Update = %v, want %v", got, d)
+	}
+
+	w.Close()
+
+	if got := r.deadline(); !got.IsZero() {
+		t.Fatalf("recorder deadline after Close = %v, want zero", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestCloseWithoutDeadlineLeavesRecorderUntouched guards the symmetric
+// case: closing a watcher that never held a deadline must not emit a
+// redundant clear (the recorder may legitimately hold a value written by
+// some other path; the watcher only owns what it set).
+func TestCloseWithoutDeadlineLeavesRecorderUntouched(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := newWatcher(time.Hour, r)
+
+	w.Close()
+
+	if got := r.snapshot(); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected no events from Close on an empty watcher, got %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestFinalWarningFiresAfterRegularWarning(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	// Warning fires at deadline-80ms, final at deadline-30ms.
+	w := NewWithLeads(80*time.Millisecond, 30*time.Millisecond, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	d := time.Now().Add(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	_ = w.Update(d)
+
+	// Expect stateChange + warning + final-warning.
+	events := waitForEvents(t, r, 3)
+
+	if countWhere(events, func(e event) bool { return e.kind == stateChange }) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected exactly 1 stateChange, got %+v", events)
+	}
+	if countWhere(events, event.isWarning) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected exactly 1 warning publish, got %+v", events)
+	}
+	if countWhere(events, event.isFinalWarning) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected exactly 1 final-warning publish, got %+v", events)
+	}
+
+	// Warning must precede final (same deadline, longer lead fires first).
+	var wIdx, fIdx int
+	for i, e := range events {
+		switch {
+		case e.isWarning():
+			wIdx = i
+		case e.isFinalWarning():
+			fIdx = i
+		}
+	}
+	if wIdx > fIdx {
+		t.Fatalf("warning must publish before final-warning, got order %+v", events)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDismissSuppressesFinalWarning(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := NewWithLeads(80*time.Millisecond, 30*time.Millisecond, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	d := time.Now().Add(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	_ = w.Update(d)
+
+	// Wait for the warning publish so we know we're inside the warning
+	// window, then dismiss before the final timer would fire.
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(500 * time.Millisecond)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if countWhere(r.snapshot(), event.isWarning) >= 1 {
+			break
+		}
+		time.Sleep(2 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	if countWhere(r.snapshot(), event.isWarning) < 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("warning did not publish in time, events=%+v", r.snapshot())
+	}
+
+	w.Dismiss()
+
+	// Now wait past when the final would have fired.
+	time.Sleep(120 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	if n := countWhere(r.snapshot(), event.isFinalWarning); n != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("final-warning published after Dismiss(), events=%+v", r.snapshot())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDismissResetByNewDeadline(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := NewWithLeads(80*time.Millisecond, 30*time.Millisecond, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	first := time.Now().Add(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	_ = w.Update(first)
+
+	// Dismiss against the first deadline.
+	w.Dismiss()
+
+	// Replace with a fresh deadline before the first's timers complete.
+	time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
+	second := time.Now().Add(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	_ = w.Update(second)
+
+	// The second cycle must publish a final-warning (the dismiss state
+	// did not carry over).
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(500 * time.Millisecond)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if countWhere(r.snapshot(), event.isFinalWarning) >= 1 {
+			break
+		}
+		time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	if countWhere(r.snapshot(), event.isFinalWarning) < 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("final-warning did not publish on fresh deadline after Dismiss reset, events=%+v", r.snapshot())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDismissBeforeUpdateIsNoop(t *testing.T) {
+	r := &fakeRecorder{}
+	w := NewWithLeads(80*time.Millisecond, 30*time.Millisecond, r)
+	defer w.Close()
+
+	// No deadline tracked yet; Dismiss must be a no-op (no panic, no state).
+	w.Dismiss()
+
+	d := time.Now().Add(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	_ = w.Update(d)
+
+	// Final warning should still publish — Dismiss only acts on the current
+	// deadline, and there was none at the time of the call.
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(500 * time.Millisecond)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if countWhere(r.snapshot(), event.isFinalWarning) >= 1 {
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("final-warning did not publish after no-op pre-Update Dismiss, events=%+v", r.snapshot())
+}

client/internal/auth/util.go

@@ -20,14 +20,26 @@ func randomBytesInHex(count int) (string, error) {
 	return hex.EncodeToString(buf), nil
 }
 
-// isValidAccessToken is a simple validation of the access token
-func isValidAccessToken(token string, audience string) error {
+// validateTokenAudience checks that the token is a well-formed JWT whose
+// audience claim matches the expected audience.
+//
+// It does NOT verify the token's cryptographic signature and therefore must not
+// be treated as an authenticity check. The token is obtained by the client
+// directly from the IdP token endpoint over TLS, and its signature is verified
+// server-side by the management server against the IdP's JWKS
+// (see shared/auth/jwt/validator.go). This function is only a client-side
+// sanity check that the returned token targets the expected audience.
+func validateTokenAudience(token string, audience string) error {
 	if token == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("token received is empty")
 	}
 
-	encodedClaims := strings.Split(token, ".")[1]
-	claimsString, err := base64.RawURLEncoding.DecodeString(encodedClaims)
+	parts := strings.Split(token, ".")
+	if len(parts) != 3 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("token is not a well-formed JWT")
+	}
+
+	claimsString, err := base64.RawURLEncoding.DecodeString(parts[1])
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}

client/internal/auth/util_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+package auth
+
+import (
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// makeJWT builds an unsigned JWT-shaped string (header.payload.signature) with
+// the given claims payload. The signature part is arbitrary because
+// validateTokenAudience intentionally does not verify it.
+func makeJWT(t *testing.T, claims map[string]interface{}) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	header := base64.RawURLEncoding.EncodeToString([]byte(`{"alg":"RS256","typ":"JWT"}`))
+	payloadBytes, err := json.Marshal(claims)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("marshal claims: %v", err)
+	}
+	payload := base64.RawURLEncoding.EncodeToString(payloadBytes)
+	return header + "." + payload + ".unverified-signature"
+}
+
+func TestValidateTokenAudience(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		token    string
+		audience string
+		wantErr  bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:     "empty token",
+			token:    "",
+			audience: "netbird",
+			wantErr:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "not a JWT - no dots",
+			token:    "notajwt",
+			audience: "netbird",
+			wantErr:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "not a JWT - two parts only",
+			token:    "header.payload",
+			audience: "netbird",
+			wantErr:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "matching string audience",
+			token:    makeJWT(t, map[string]interface{}{"aud": "netbird"}),
+			audience: "netbird",
+			wantErr:  false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "mismatching string audience",
+			token:    makeJWT(t, map[string]interface{}{"aud": "other"}),
+			audience: "netbird",
+			wantErr:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "matching audience in array",
+			token:    makeJWT(t, map[string]interface{}{"aud": []interface{}{"other", "netbird"}}),
+			audience: "netbird",
+			wantErr:  false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "mismatching audience array",
+			token:    makeJWT(t, map[string]interface{}{"aud": []interface{}{"a", "b"}}),
+			audience: "netbird",
+			wantErr:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "missing audience claim",
+			token:    makeJWT(t, map[string]interface{}{"sub": "user"}),
+			audience: "netbird",
+			wantErr:  true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "invalid base64 payload",
+			token:    "header.!!!not-base64!!!.sig",
+			audience: "netbird",
+			wantErr:  true,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			err := validateTokenAudience(tc.token, tc.audience)
+			if tc.wantErr && err == nil {
+				t.Fatalf("expected error, got nil")
+			}
+			if !tc.wantErr && err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("expected no error, got %v", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestValidateTokenAudienceNoPanic guards the regression where a non-empty
+// token without the JWT dot structure caused an index-out-of-range panic.
+func TestValidateTokenAudienceNoPanic(t *testing.T) {
+	inputs := []string{"a", ".", "a.", "aaaa", "no-dots-here"}
+	for _, in := range inputs {
+		if err := validateTokenAudience(in, "netbird"); err == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("expected error for malformed token %q, got nil", in)
+		}
+	}
+}

client/internal/conn_mgr.go

@@ -16,6 +16,16 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
 )
 
+// lazyForce is the resolved local decision for lazy connections, layered above the
+// management feature flag. lazyForceNone defers to management.
+type lazyForce int
+
+const (
+	lazyForceNone lazyForce = iota
+	lazyForceOn
+	lazyForceOff
+)
+
 // ConnMgr coordinates both lazy connections (established on-demand) and permanent peer connections.
 //
 // The connection manager is responsible for:
@@ -28,7 +38,7 @@ type ConnMgr struct {
 	peerStore        *peerstore.Store
 	statusRecorder   *peer.Status
 	iface            lazyconn.WGIface
-	enabledLocally   bool
+	force            lazyForce
 	rosenpassEnabled bool
 
 	lazyConnMgr *manager.Manager
@@ -43,28 +53,34 @@ func NewConnMgr(engineConfig *EngineConfig, statusRecorder *peer.Status, peerSto
 		peerStore:        peerStore,
 		statusRecorder:   statusRecorder,
 		iface:            iface,
+		force:            resolveLazyForce(engineConfig.LazyConnection),
 		rosenpassEnabled: engineConfig.RosenpassEnabled,
 	}
-	if engineConfig.LazyConnectionEnabled || lazyconn.IsLazyConnEnabledByEnv() {
-		e.enabledLocally = true
-	}
 	return e
 }
 
-// Start initializes the connection manager and starts the lazy connection manager if enabled by env var or cmd line option.
+// Start initializes the connection manager. It starts the lazy connection manager when a
+// local override forces it on; with no local override it waits for the management feature flag.
 func (e *ConnMgr) Start(ctx context.Context) {
 	if e.lazyConnMgr != nil {
 		log.Errorf("lazy connection manager is already started")
 		return
 	}
 
-	if !e.enabledLocally {
-		log.Infof("lazy connection manager is disabled")
+	switch e.force {
+	case lazyForceOff:
+		log.Infof("lazy connection manager is disabled by local override (%s or MDM policy)", lazyconn.EnvLazyConn)
+		e.statusRecorder.UpdateLazyConnection(false)
+		return
+	case lazyForceNone:
+		log.Infof("lazy connection manager is managed by the management feature flag")
+		e.statusRecorder.UpdateLazyConnection(false)
 		return
 	}
 
 	if e.rosenpassEnabled {
 		log.Warnf("rosenpass connection manager is enabled, lazy connection manager will not be started")
+		e.statusRecorder.UpdateLazyConnection(false)
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -76,8 +92,8 @@ func (e *ConnMgr) Start(ctx context.Context) {
 // If enabled, it initializes the lazy connection manager and start it. Do not need to call Start() again.
 // If disabled, then it closes the lazy connection manager and open the connections to all peers.
 func (e *ConnMgr) UpdatedRemoteFeatureFlag(ctx context.Context, enabled bool) error {
-	// do not disable lazy connection manager if it was enabled by env var
-	if e.enabledLocally {
+	// a local override (NB_LAZY_CONN or local config) takes precedence over management
+	if e.force != lazyForceNone {
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -89,15 +105,17 @@ func (e *ConnMgr) UpdatedRemoteFeatureFlag(ctx context.Context, enabled bool) er
 
 		if e.rosenpassEnabled {
 			log.Infof("rosenpass connection manager is enabled, lazy connection manager will not be started")
+			e.statusRecorder.UpdateLazyConnection(false)
 			return nil
 		}
 
-		log.Warnf("lazy connection manager is enabled by management feature flag")
+		log.Infof("lazy connection manager is enabled by the management feature flag")
 		e.initLazyManager(ctx)
 		e.statusRecorder.UpdateLazyConnection(true)
 		return e.addPeersToLazyConnManager()
 	} else {
 		if e.lazyConnMgr == nil {
+			e.statusRecorder.UpdateLazyConnection(false)
 			return nil
 		}
 		log.Infof("lazy connection manager is disabled by management feature flag")
@@ -309,6 +327,25 @@ func (e *ConnMgr) isStartedWithLazyMgr() bool {
 	return e.lazyConnMgr != nil && e.lazyCtxCancel != nil
 }
 
+// resolveLazyForce determines the local override. NB_LAZY_CONN takes precedence; when it
+// is unset the MDM policy override (mdmState) applies. Either wins in both directions over
+// the management feature flag; StateUnset for both defers to management.
+func resolveLazyForce(mdmState lazyconn.State) lazyForce {
+	state := lazyconn.EnvState()
+	if state == lazyconn.StateUnset {
+		state = mdmState
+	}
+
+	switch state {
+	case lazyconn.StateOn:
+		return lazyForceOn
+	case lazyconn.StateOff:
+		return lazyForceOff
+	default:
+		return lazyForceNone
+	}
+}
+
 func inactivityThresholdEnv() *time.Duration {
 	envValue := os.Getenv(lazyconn.EnvInactivityThreshold)
 	if envValue == "" {

client/internal/conn_mgr_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/lazyconn"
+)
+
+func TestResolveLazyForce(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		env    string
+		envSet bool
+		mdm    lazyconn.State
+		want   lazyForce
+	}{
+		{name: "env unset, mdm unset -> defer to management", mdm: lazyconn.StateUnset, want: lazyForceNone},
+		{name: "env on -> force on", env: "on", envSet: true, mdm: lazyconn.StateUnset, want: lazyForceOn},
+		{name: "env off -> force off", env: "off", envSet: true, mdm: lazyconn.StateUnset, want: lazyForceOff},
+		{name: "env unset, mdm on -> force on", mdm: lazyconn.StateOn, want: lazyForceOn},
+		{name: "env unset, mdm off -> force off", mdm: lazyconn.StateOff, want: lazyForceOff},
+		{name: "env on beats mdm off", env: "on", envSet: true, mdm: lazyconn.StateOff, want: lazyForceOn},
+		{name: "env off beats mdm on", env: "off", envSet: true, mdm: lazyconn.StateOn, want: lazyForceOff},
+		{name: "unrecognized env, mdm on -> mdm wins", env: "auto", envSet: true, mdm: lazyconn.StateOn, want: lazyForceOn},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Setenv(lazyconn.EnvLazyConn, tt.env)
+			if !tt.envSet {
+				os.Unsetenv(lazyconn.EnvLazyConn)
+			}
+
+			if got := resolveLazyForce(tt.mdm); got != tt.want {
+				t.Fatalf("resolveLazyForce(%v) = %v, want %v", tt.mdm, got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

client/internal/connect.go

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/netstack"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/lazyconn"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/listener"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/metrics"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
@@ -276,6 +277,15 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 		log.Debugf("connecting to the Management service %s", c.config.ManagementURL.Host)
 		mgmClient, err := mgm.NewClient(engineCtx, c.config.ManagementURL.Host, myPrivateKey, mgmTlsEnabled)
 		if err != nil {
+			// On daemon shutdown / Down() the parent context is cancelled
+			// and the dial fails with "context canceled". Wrapping that
+			// into state would leave the snapshot stuck at Connecting+err
+			// until the backoff loop wakes up — instead let the operation
+			// return cleanly so the deferred state.Set(StatusIdle) takes
+			// effect on the next iteration.
+			if c.ctx.Err() != nil {
+				return nil
+			}
 			return wrapErr(gstatus.Errorf(codes.FailedPrecondition, "failed connecting to Management Service : %s", err))
 		}
 		mgmNotifier := statusRecorderToMgmConnStateNotifier(c.statusRecorder)
@@ -314,6 +324,10 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 		c.clientMetrics.RecordLoginDuration(engineCtx, time.Since(loginStarted), true)
 		c.statusRecorder.MarkManagementConnected()
 
+		if metricsConfig := loginResp.GetNetbirdConfig().GetMetrics(); metricsConfig != nil {
+			c.clientMetrics.UpdatePushFromMgm(c.ctx, metricsConfig.GetEnabled())
+		}
+
 		localPeerState := peer.LocalPeerState{
 			IP:              loginResp.GetPeerConfig().GetAddress(),
 			PubKey:          myPrivateKey.PublicKey().String(),
@@ -399,6 +413,7 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 			StateManager:   stateManager,
 			UpdateManager:  c.updateManager,
 			ClientMetrics:  c.clientMetrics,
+			MetricsCtx:     c.ctx,
 		}, mobileDependency)
 		engine.SetSyncResponsePersistence(c.persistSyncResponse)
 		c.engine = engine
@@ -409,6 +424,10 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 			return wrapErr(err)
 		}
 
+		// Seed the session-expiry deadline from the LoginResponse. Subsequent
+		// changes flow in through SyncResponse and are applied in handleSync.
+		engine.ApplySessionDeadline(loginResp.GetSessionExpiresAt())
+
 		log.Infof("Netbird engine started, the IP is: %s", peerConfig.GetAddress())
 		state.Set(StatusConnected)
 
@@ -445,6 +464,10 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 	}
 
 	c.statusRecorder.ClientStart()
+	// Wrap the backoff with c.ctx so Down()/actCancel propagates into the
+	// inter-attempt sleep — otherwise a 15s MaxInterval can keep the retry
+	// loop alive long after the caller asked to give up, leaving the
+	// status stream stuck at Connecting.
 	err = backoff.Retry(operation, backoff.WithContext(backOff, c.ctx))
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Debugf("exiting client retry loop due to unrecoverable error: %s", err)
@@ -596,7 +619,7 @@ func createEngineConfig(key wgtypes.Key, config *profilemanager.Config, peerConf
 		BlockInbound:        config.BlockInbound,
 		DisableIPv6:         config.DisableIPv6,
 
-		LazyConnectionEnabled: config.LazyConnectionEnabled,
+		LazyConnection: lazyconn.ParseState(config.LazyConnection),
 
 		MTU:     selectMTU(config.MTU, peerConfig.Mtu),
 		LogPath: logPath,
@@ -670,7 +693,6 @@ func loginToManagement(ctx context.Context, client mgm.Client, pubSSHKey []byte,
 		config.BlockLANAccess,
 		config.BlockInbound,
 		config.DisableIPv6,
-		config.LazyConnectionEnabled,
 		config.EnableSSHRoot,
 		config.EnableSSHSFTP,
 		config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding,

client/internal/debug/debug.go

@@ -229,9 +229,16 @@ scutil_dns.txt (macOS only):
 
 const (
 	clientLogFile = "client.log"
+	uiLogFile     = "gui-client.log"
 	errorLogFile  = "netbird.err"
 	stdoutLogFile = "netbird.out"
 
+	// Rotated-log glob prefixes (base log name without extension) passed to
+	// addRotatedLogFiles. The daemon's own log and the GUI log live in the same
+	// dir, so the prefixes must be disjoint to keep their rotated siblings apart.
+	clientLogPrefix = "client"
+	uiLogPrefix     = "gui-client"
+
 	darwinErrorLogPath  = "/var/log/netbird.out.log"
 	darwinStdoutLogPath = "/var/log/netbird.err.log"
 )
@@ -249,6 +256,7 @@ type BundleGenerator struct {
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status
 	syncResponse   *mgmProto.SyncResponse
 	logPath        string
+	uiLogPath      string
 	tempDir        string
 	statePath      string
 	cpuProfile     []byte
@@ -276,6 +284,7 @@ type GeneratorDependencies struct {
 	StatusRecorder *peer.Status
 	SyncResponse   *mgmProto.SyncResponse
 	LogPath        string
+	UILogPath      string // Absolute path to the desktop UI's gui-client.log, reported via RegisterUILog. Empty if no UI registered one.
 	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
@@ -300,6 +309,7 @@ func NewBundleGenerator(deps GeneratorDependencies, cfg BundleConfig) *BundleGen
 		statusRecorder: deps.StatusRecorder,
 		syncResponse:   deps.SyncResponse,
 		logPath:        deps.LogPath,
+		uiLogPath:      deps.UILogPath,
 		tempDir:        deps.TempDir,
 		statePath:      deps.StatePath,
 		cpuProfile:     deps.CPUProfile,
@@ -411,6 +421,10 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) createArchive() error {
 		log.Errorf("failed to add logs to debug bundle: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	if err := g.addUILog(); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("failed to add UI log to debug bundle: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	if err := g.addUpdateLogs(); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to add updater logs: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -466,7 +480,6 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) addStatus() error {
 
 		fullStatus := g.statusRecorder.GetFullStatus()
 		protoFullStatus := nbstatus.ToProtoFullStatus(fullStatus)
-		protoFullStatus.Events = g.statusRecorder.GetEventHistory()
 		overview := nbstatus.ConvertToStatusOutputOverview(protoFullStatus, nbstatus.ConvertOptions{
 			Anonymize:     g.anonymize,
 			ProfileName:   profName,
@@ -681,7 +694,7 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) addCommonConfigFields(configContent *strings.Builder)
 		configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("ClientCertKeyPath: %s\n", g.internalConfig.ClientCertKeyPath))
 	}
 
-	configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("LazyConnectionEnabled: %v\n", g.internalConfig.LazyConnectionEnabled))
+	configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("LazyConnection: %q\n", g.internalConfig.LazyConnection))
 	configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("MTU: %d\n", g.internalConfig.MTU))
 }
 
@@ -986,7 +999,7 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) addLogfile() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("add client log file to zip: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	g.addRotatedLogFiles(logDir)
+	g.addRotatedLogFiles(logDir, clientLogPrefix)
 
 	stdErrLogPath := filepath.Join(logDir, errorLogFile)
 	stdoutLogPath := filepath.Join(logDir, stdoutLogFile)
@@ -1006,6 +1019,25 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) addLogfile() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// addUILog adds the desktop UI's gui-client.log (and its rotated siblings) to
+// the bundle. The path is reported by the UI via RegisterUILog; empty when no
+// UI registered one (e.g. headless / server). Missing file is non-fatal — the
+// UI only writes it while the daemon is in debug, so it's often absent.
+func (g *BundleGenerator) addUILog() error {
+	if g.uiLogPath == "" {
+		log.Debugf("no UI log path registered, skipping in debug bundle")
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if err := g.addSingleLogfile(g.uiLogPath, uiLogFile); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("add UI log file to zip: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	g.addRotatedLogFiles(filepath.Dir(g.uiLogPath), uiLogPrefix)
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // addSingleLogfile adds a single log file to the archive
 func (g *BundleGenerator) addSingleLogfile(logPath, targetName string) error {
 	logFile, err := os.Open(logPath)
@@ -1078,14 +1110,16 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) addSingleLogFileGz(logPath, targetName string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// addRotatedLogFiles adds rotated log files to the bundle based on logFileCount
-func (g *BundleGenerator) addRotatedLogFiles(logDir string) {
+// addRotatedLogFiles adds rotated log files to the bundle based on logFileCount.
+// prefix is the base log name without extension (e.g. "client", "gui-client");
+// the glob matches both files rotated by us and by logrotate on linux.
+func (g *BundleGenerator) addRotatedLogFiles(logDir, prefix string) {
 	if g.logFileCount == 0 {
 		return
 	}
 
-	// This regex will match both logs rotated by us and logrotate on linux
-	pattern := filepath.Join(logDir, "client*.log.*")
+	// This pattern matches both logs rotated by us and logrotate on linux
+	pattern := filepath.Join(logDir, prefix+"*.log.*")
 	files, err := filepath.Glob(pattern)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Warnf("failed to glob rotated logs: %v", err)

client/internal/debug/debug_logfiles_test.go

@@ -40,6 +40,25 @@ func TestAddRotatedLogFiles_PicksUpAllVariants(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NotContains(t, names, "other.log", "unrelated files should not be in bundle")
 }
 
+// TestAddRotatedLogFiles_GUIPrefix asserts the prefix parameter scopes the glob
+// to the GUI log: gui-client.log.* rotated siblings are picked up and the
+// daemon's own client.log.* are not (and vice versa, covered above). This is
+// the load-bearing check for the gui-client.log bundle collection — the old
+// "client*.log.*" glob would have missed gui-client rotations.
+func TestAddRotatedLogFiles_GUIPrefix(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "gui-client.log.1"), "gui rotated\n")
+	writeGzFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "gui-client.log.2.gz"), "gui rotated gz\n")
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "client.log.1"), "daemon rotated\n")
+
+	names := runAddRotatedLogFilesPrefix(t, dir, "gui-client", 10)
+
+	require.Contains(t, names, "gui-client.log.1", "gui-client rotated file should be in bundle")
+	require.Contains(t, names, "gui-client.log.2.gz", "gui-client gz rotated file should be in bundle")
+	require.NotContains(t, names, "client.log.1", "daemon rotated file must not match the gui-client prefix")
+}
+
 // TestAddRotatedLogFiles_RespectsLogFileCount asserts that only the newest
 // logFileCount rotated files are bundled, ordered by mtime.
 func TestAddRotatedLogFiles_RespectsLogFileCount(t *testing.T) {
@@ -67,6 +86,10 @@ func TestAddRotatedLogFiles_RespectsLogFileCount(t *testing.T) {
 // runAddRotatedLogFiles calls addRotatedLogFiles against a fresh in-memory
 // zip writer and returns the set of entry names that ended up in the archive.
 func runAddRotatedLogFiles(t *testing.T, dir string, logFileCount uint32) map[string]struct{} {
+	return runAddRotatedLogFilesPrefix(t, dir, "client", logFileCount)
+}
+
+func runAddRotatedLogFilesPrefix(t *testing.T, dir, prefix string, logFileCount uint32) map[string]struct{} {
 	t.Helper()
 
 	var buf bytes.Buffer
@@ -74,7 +97,7 @@ func runAddRotatedLogFiles(t *testing.T, dir string, logFileCount uint32) map[st
 		archive:      zip.NewWriter(&buf),
 		logFileCount: logFileCount,
 	}
-	g.addRotatedLogFiles(dir)
+	g.addRotatedLogFiles(dir, prefix)
 	require.NoError(t, g.archive.Close())
 
 	zr, err := zip.NewReader(bytes.NewReader(buf.Bytes()), int64(buf.Len()))

client/internal/debug/debug_test.go

@@ -885,7 +885,7 @@ func TestAddConfig_AllFieldsCovered(t *testing.T) {
 		DNSRouteInterval:              5 * time.Second,
 		ClientCertPath:                "/tmp/cert",
 		ClientCertKeyPath:             "/tmp/key",
-		LazyConnectionEnabled:         true,
+		LazyConnection:                "on",
 		MTU:                           1280,
 	}
 

client/internal/dns/resutil/resolve.go

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
+	"slices"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
@@ -167,7 +168,10 @@ func getRcodeForNotFound(ctx context.Context, r resolver, domain string, origina
 	case dns.TypeA:
 		alternativeNetwork = "ip6"
 	default:
-		return dns.RcodeNameError
+		// Non-address types reach LookupIP only unexpectedly; without an
+		// address pair to probe we cannot prove the name is absent, so answer
+		// NODATA rather than a poisoning NXDOMAIN.
+		return dns.RcodeSuccess
 	}
 
 	if _, err := r.LookupNetIP(ctx, alternativeNetwork, domain); err != nil {
@@ -184,6 +188,230 @@ func getRcodeForNotFound(ctx context.Context, r resolver, domain string, origina
 	return dns.RcodeSuccess
 }
 
+// RecordResolver is the host resolver surface used to forward non-address
+// record queries. net.DefaultResolver satisfies it.
+type RecordResolver interface {
+	LookupMX(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]*net.MX, error)
+	LookupTXT(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]string, error)
+	LookupNS(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]*net.NS, error)
+	LookupSRV(ctx context.Context, service, proto, name string) (string, []*net.SRV, error)
+	LookupCNAME(ctx context.Context, host string) (string, error)
+	LookupAddr(ctx context.Context, addr string) ([]string, error)
+}
+
+// LookupRecords resolves a non-address DNS record type through the host
+// resolver and returns the resource records and the DNS rcode. Types the host
+// resolver cannot answer (anything not covered by the net.Resolver Lookup*
+// methods) yield NODATA so that a routed name is never poisoned with NXDOMAIN
+// for an unsupported type.
+func LookupRecords(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name string, qtype uint16, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	fqdn := dns.Fqdn(name)
+
+	switch qtype {
+	case dns.TypeMX:
+		return lookupMX(ctx, r, name, fqdn, ttl)
+	case dns.TypeTXT:
+		return lookupTXT(ctx, r, name, fqdn, ttl)
+	case dns.TypeNS:
+		return lookupNS(ctx, r, name, fqdn, ttl)
+	case dns.TypeSRV:
+		return lookupSRV(ctx, r, name, fqdn, ttl)
+	case dns.TypeCNAME:
+		return lookupCNAME(ctx, r, name, fqdn, ttl)
+	case dns.TypePTR:
+		return lookupPTR(ctx, r, name, fqdn, ttl)
+	default:
+		return nil, dns.RcodeSuccess
+	}
+}
+
+func recordHeader(fqdn string, rrtype uint16, ttl uint32) dns.RR_Header {
+	return dns.RR_Header{Name: fqdn, Rrtype: rrtype, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: ttl}
+}
+
+func lookupMX(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name, fqdn string, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	recs, err := r.LookupMX(ctx, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, rcodeForRecordError(err)
+	}
+	rrs := make([]dns.RR, 0, len(recs))
+	for _, mx := range recs {
+		rrs = append(rrs, &dns.MX{
+			Hdr:        recordHeader(fqdn, dns.TypeMX, ttl),
+			Preference: mx.Pref,
+			Mx:         dns.Fqdn(mx.Host),
+		})
+	}
+	return rrs, dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+func lookupTXT(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name, fqdn string, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	recs, err := r.LookupTXT(ctx, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, rcodeForRecordError(err)
+	}
+	rrs := make([]dns.RR, 0, len(recs))
+	for _, txt := range recs {
+		rrs = append(rrs, &dns.TXT{
+			Hdr: recordHeader(fqdn, dns.TypeTXT, ttl),
+			Txt: chunkTXT(txt),
+		})
+	}
+	return rrs, dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+func lookupNS(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name, fqdn string, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	recs, err := r.LookupNS(ctx, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, rcodeForRecordError(err)
+	}
+	rrs := make([]dns.RR, 0, len(recs))
+	for _, ns := range recs {
+		rrs = append(rrs, &dns.NS{
+			Hdr: recordHeader(fqdn, dns.TypeNS, ttl),
+			Ns:  dns.Fqdn(ns.Host),
+		})
+	}
+	return rrs, dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+func lookupSRV(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name, fqdn string, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	_, recs, err := r.LookupSRV(ctx, "", "", name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, rcodeForRecordError(err)
+	}
+	rrs := make([]dns.RR, 0, len(recs))
+	for _, srv := range recs {
+		rrs = append(rrs, &dns.SRV{
+			Hdr:      recordHeader(fqdn, dns.TypeSRV, ttl),
+			Priority: srv.Priority,
+			Weight:   srv.Weight,
+			Port:     srv.Port,
+			Target:   dns.Fqdn(srv.Target),
+		})
+	}
+	return rrs, dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+func lookupCNAME(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name, fqdn string, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	cname, err := r.LookupCNAME(ctx, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, rcodeForRecordError(err)
+	}
+	// LookupCNAME returns the queried name itself when the name resolves but
+	// has no CNAME record; that is a NODATA result, not a CNAME.
+	if strings.EqualFold(dns.Fqdn(cname), fqdn) {
+		return nil, dns.RcodeSuccess
+	}
+	return []dns.RR{&dns.CNAME{
+		Hdr:    recordHeader(fqdn, dns.TypeCNAME, ttl),
+		Target: dns.Fqdn(cname),
+	}}, dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+func lookupPTR(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name, fqdn string, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	addr, ok := ptrQueryAddr(name)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, dns.RcodeSuccess
+	}
+	names, err := r.LookupAddr(ctx, addr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, rcodeForRecordError(err)
+	}
+	rrs := make([]dns.RR, 0, len(names))
+	for _, n := range names {
+		rrs = append(rrs, &dns.PTR{
+			Hdr: recordHeader(fqdn, dns.TypePTR, ttl),
+			Ptr: dns.Fqdn(n),
+		})
+	}
+	return rrs, dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+// ptrQueryAddr converts a reverse-DNS query name (in-addr.arpa or ip6.arpa)
+// into the address string expected by net.Resolver.LookupAddr. It reports false
+// when the name is not a well-formed reverse name.
+func ptrQueryAddr(qname string) (string, bool) {
+	name := strings.TrimSuffix(strings.ToLower(dns.Fqdn(qname)), ".")
+
+	switch {
+	case strings.HasSuffix(name, ".in-addr.arpa"):
+		return parseInAddrArpa(strings.TrimSuffix(name, ".in-addr.arpa"))
+	case strings.HasSuffix(name, ".ip6.arpa"):
+		return parseIP6Arpa(strings.TrimSuffix(name, ".ip6.arpa"))
+	default:
+		return "", false
+	}
+}
+
+// parseInAddrArpa turns the label portion of an in-addr.arpa name into an IPv4
+// address string, reporting false when it is not a well-formed reverse name.
+func parseInAddrArpa(labelPart string) (string, bool) {
+	labels := strings.Split(labelPart, ".")
+	if len(labels) != 4 {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	slices.Reverse(labels)
+	addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(strings.Join(labels, "."))
+	if err != nil || !addr.Is4() {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	return addr.String(), true
+}
+
+// parseIP6Arpa turns the nibble portion of an ip6.arpa name into an IPv6
+// address string, reporting false when it is not a well-formed reverse name.
+func parseIP6Arpa(nibblePart string) (string, bool) {
+	nibbles := strings.Split(nibblePart, ".")
+	if len(nibbles) != 32 {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	slices.Reverse(nibbles)
+	var sb strings.Builder
+	for i, n := range nibbles {
+		if i > 0 && i%4 == 0 {
+			sb.WriteByte(':')
+		}
+		sb.WriteString(n)
+	}
+	addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(sb.String())
+	if err != nil || !addr.Is6() {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	return addr.String(), true
+}
+
+// rcodeForRecordError maps a non-address lookup error to a DNS rcode. A
+// not-found result becomes NODATA rather than NXDOMAIN: net.DNSError.IsNotFound
+// does not distinguish a missing name from a name that exists only with records
+// of other types, so the name cannot be proven absent and must not be poisoned.
+func rcodeForRecordError(err error) int {
+	var dnsErr *net.DNSError
+	if errors.As(err, &dnsErr) && dnsErr.IsNotFound {
+		return dns.RcodeSuccess
+	}
+	return dns.RcodeServerFailure
+}
+
+// chunkTXT splits a TXT string into character-strings no longer than 255 bytes
+// so the record can be packed. The chunks form one TXT resource record.
+func chunkTXT(s string) []string {
+	const maxLen = 255
+	if len(s) <= maxLen {
+		return []string{s}
+	}
+
+	var chunks []string
+	for len(s) > maxLen {
+		chunks = append(chunks, s[:maxLen])
+		s = s[maxLen:]
+	}
+	if len(s) > 0 {
+		chunks = append(chunks, s)
+	}
+	return chunks
+}
+
 // FormatAnswers formats DNS resource records for logging.
 func FormatAnswers(answers []dns.RR) string {
 	if len(answers) == 0 {

client/internal/dns/resutil/resolve_test.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
@@ -121,6 +122,164 @@ func TestLookupIP_DNSErrorNotIsNotFound(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeServerFailure, result.Rcode, "upstream failure should map to SERVFAIL")
 }
 
+func TestPtrQueryAddr(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		qname  string
+		want   string
+		wantOK bool
+	}{
+		{name: "ipv4", qname: "4.3.2.1.in-addr.arpa.", want: "1.2.3.4", wantOK: true},
+		{name: "ipv4 no trailing dot", qname: "1.0.0.127.in-addr.arpa", want: "127.0.0.1", wantOK: true},
+		{
+			name:   "ipv6",
+			qname:  "1.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.8.b.d.0.1.0.0.2.ip6.arpa.",
+			want:   "2001:db8::1",
+			wantOK: true,
+		},
+		{name: "ipv4 wrong label count", qname: "2.1.in-addr.arpa.", wantOK: false},
+		{name: "ipv6 wrong nibble count", qname: "1.0.ip6.arpa.", wantOK: false},
+		{name: "not a reverse name", qname: "example.com.", wantOK: false},
+		{name: "ipv4 bad octet", qname: "4.3.2.999.in-addr.arpa.", wantOK: false},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got, ok := ptrQueryAddr(tt.qname)
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.wantOK, ok, "parse success mismatch")
+			if tt.wantOK {
+				assert.Equal(t, tt.want, got, "parsed address mismatch")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+type mockRecordResolver struct {
+	mx    []*net.MX
+	txt   []string
+	ns    []*net.NS
+	srv   []*net.SRV
+	cname string
+	ptr   []string
+	err   error
+}
+
+func (m *mockRecordResolver) LookupMX(context.Context, string) ([]*net.MX, error) {
+	return m.mx, m.err
+}
+func (m *mockRecordResolver) LookupTXT(context.Context, string) ([]string, error) {
+	return m.txt, m.err
+}
+func (m *mockRecordResolver) LookupNS(context.Context, string) ([]*net.NS, error) {
+	return m.ns, m.err
+}
+func (m *mockRecordResolver) LookupSRV(context.Context, string, string, string) (string, []*net.SRV, error) {
+	return "", m.srv, m.err
+}
+func (m *mockRecordResolver) LookupCNAME(context.Context, string) (string, error) {
+	return m.cname, m.err
+}
+func (m *mockRecordResolver) LookupAddr(context.Context, string) ([]string, error) {
+	return m.ptr, m.err
+}
+
+func TestLookupRecords(t *testing.T) {
+	notFound := &net.DNSError{IsNotFound: true, Name: "example.com."}
+
+	t.Run("MX success", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{mx: []*net.MX{{Host: "mail.example.com.", Pref: 10}}}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeMX, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		assert.Equal(t, "mail.example.com.", rrs[0].(*dns.MX).Mx)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("TXT short string is one character-string", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{txt: []string{"v=spf1 -all"}}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeTXT, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		assert.Equal(t, []string{"v=spf1 -all"}, rrs[0].(*dns.TXT).Txt)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("TXT chunks long strings", func(t *testing.T) {
+		long := strings.Repeat("a", 300)
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{txt: []string{long}}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeTXT, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		txt := rrs[0].(*dns.TXT).Txt
+		require.Len(t, txt, 2, "300-byte string should split into two character-strings")
+		assert.Equal(t, 255, len(txt[0]))
+		assert.Equal(t, 45, len(txt[1]))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("NS success", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{ns: []*net.NS{{Host: "ns1.example.com."}}}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeNS, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		assert.Equal(t, "ns1.example.com.", rrs[0].(*dns.NS).Ns)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("SRV success", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{srv: []*net.SRV{{Target: "sip.example.com.", Port: 5060}}}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "_sip._tcp.example.com.", dns.TypeSRV, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		assert.Equal(t, uint16(5060), rrs[0].(*dns.SRV).Port)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CNAME success", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{cname: "target.example.com."}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "www.example.com.", dns.TypeCNAME, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		assert.Equal(t, "target.example.com.", rrs[0].(*dns.CNAME).Target)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CNAME equal to name is NODATA", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{cname: "example.com."}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeCNAME, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		assert.Empty(t, rrs, "self-referential CNAME is NODATA")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("PTR success", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{ptr: []string{"host.example.com."}}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "4.3.2.1.in-addr.arpa.", dns.TypePTR, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		assert.Equal(t, "host.example.com.", rrs[0].(*dns.PTR).Ptr)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("PTR malformed name is NODATA", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypePTR, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		assert.Empty(t, rrs)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("not found is NODATA never NXDOMAIN", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{err: notFound}
+		_, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeMX, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode, "missing record must not poison the name")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("server failure maps to SERVFAIL", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{err: &net.DNSError{Err: "server misbehaving", IsTemporary: true}}
+		_, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeMX, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeServerFailure, rcode)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("unsupported type is NODATA", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeCAA, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		assert.Empty(t, rrs)
+	})
+}
+
 func TestStripOPT(t *testing.T) {
 	rm := &dns.Msg{
 		Extra: []dns.RR{

client/internal/dns/service_listener.go

@@ -292,18 +292,16 @@ func (s *serviceViaListener) generateFreePort() (uint16, error) {
 		return customPort, nil
 	}
 
-	udpAddr := net.UDPAddrFromAddrPort(netip.MustParseAddrPort("0.0.0.0:0"))
-	probeListener, err := net.ListenUDP("udp", udpAddr)
+	probeListener, err := net.ListenUDP("udp4", &net.UDPAddr{})
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Debugf("failed to bind random port for DNS: %s", err)
 		return 0, err
 	}
 
-	addrPort := netip.MustParseAddrPort(probeListener.LocalAddr().String()) // might panic if address is incorrect
-	err = probeListener.Close()
-	if err != nil {
+	port := uint16(probeListener.LocalAddr().(*net.UDPAddr).Port)
+	if err = probeListener.Close(); err != nil {
 		log.Debugf("failed to free up DNS port: %s", err)
 		return 0, err
 	}
-	return addrPort.Port(), nil
+	return port, nil
 }

client/internal/dnsfwd/forwarder.go

@@ -37,6 +37,12 @@ const (
 
 type resolver interface {
 	LookupNetIP(ctx context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error)
+	LookupMX(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]*net.MX, error)
+	LookupTXT(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]string, error)
+	LookupNS(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]*net.NS, error)
+	LookupSRV(ctx context.Context, service, proto, name string) (string, []*net.SRV, error)
+	LookupCNAME(ctx context.Context, host string) (string, error)
+	LookupAddr(ctx context.Context, addr string) ([]string, error)
 }
 
 type firewaller interface {
@@ -210,12 +216,6 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQuery(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, q
 		qname, dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype], dns.ClassToString[question.Qclass])
 
 	resp := query.SetReply(query)
-	network := resutil.NetworkForQtype(question.Qtype)
-	if network == "" {
-		resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeNotImplemented
-		f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, qname, startTime)
-		return
-	}
 
 	mostSpecificResId, matchingEntries := f.getMatchingEntries(strings.TrimSuffix(qname, "."))
 	if mostSpecificResId == "" {
@@ -227,9 +227,46 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQuery(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, q
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), upstreamTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
+	reqHasEdns := query.IsEdns0() != nil
+
+	switch question.Qtype {
+	case dns.TypeA, dns.TypeAAAA:
+		f.handleAddressQuery(ctx, logger, w, resp, mostSpecificResId, matchingEntries, reqHasEdns, startTime)
+	case dns.TypeMX, dns.TypeTXT, dns.TypeNS, dns.TypeSRV, dns.TypeCNAME, dns.TypePTR:
+		f.handleRecordQuery(ctx, logger, w, resp, startTime)
+	default:
+		// The domain is routed here, so any other type is answered NODATA
+		// (NOERROR, empty answer) rather than falling back to a resolver that
+		// would poison the name with NXDOMAIN. The Extended DNS Error lets a
+		// client tell this capability-driven NODATA apart from an
+		// authoritative one. The OPT pseudo-record must not appear unless the
+		// query advertised EDNS0.
+		if reqHasEdns {
+			attachEDE(resp, dns.ExtendedErrorCodeNotSupported, "netbird forwarder: unsupported query type")
+		}
+		f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, qname, startTime)
+	}
+}
+
+// handleAddressQuery resolves A/AAAA queries, programs the firewall sets and
+// resolved-IP state, and caches the answer for resilience on upstream failure.
+func (f *DNSForwarder) handleAddressQuery(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	logger *log.Entry,
+	w dns.ResponseWriter,
+	resp *dns.Msg,
+	mostSpecificResId route.ResID,
+	matchingEntries []*ForwarderEntry,
+	reqHasEdns bool,
+	startTime time.Time,
+) {
+	question := resp.Question[0]
+	qname := strings.ToLower(question.Name)
+
+	network := resutil.NetworkForQtype(question.Qtype)
 	result := resutil.LookupIP(ctx, f.resolver, network, qname, question.Qtype)
 	if result.Err != nil {
-		f.handleDNSError(ctx, logger, w, question, resp, qname, result, query.IsEdns0() != nil, startTime)
+		f.handleDNSError(ctx, logger, w, question, resp, qname, result, reqHasEdns, startTime)
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -240,6 +277,25 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQuery(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, q
 	f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, qname, startTime)
 }
 
+// handleRecordQuery resolves non-address record types (MX, TXT, NS, SRV,
+// CNAME, PTR) through the host resolver. Missing records are answered NODATA so
+// the routed name is never poisoned with NXDOMAIN.
+func (f *DNSForwarder) handleRecordQuery(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	logger *log.Entry,
+	w dns.ResponseWriter,
+	resp *dns.Msg,
+	startTime time.Time,
+) {
+	question := resp.Question[0]
+	qname := strings.ToLower(question.Name)
+
+	records, rcode := resutil.LookupRecords(ctx, f.resolver, qname, question.Qtype, f.ttl)
+	resp.Rcode = rcode
+	resp.Answer = append(resp.Answer, records...)
+	f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, qname, startTime)
+}
+
 func (f *DNSForwarder) writeResponse(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, resp *dns.Msg, qname string, startTime time.Time) {
 	if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
 		logger.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)

client/internal/dnsfwd/forwarder_test.go

@@ -133,6 +133,41 @@ func (m *MockResolver) LookupNetIP(ctx context.Context, network, host string) ([
 	return args.Get(0).([]netip.Addr), args.Error(1)
 }
 
+func (m *MockResolver) LookupMX(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]*net.MX, error) {
+	args := m.Called(ctx, name)
+	recs, _ := args.Get(0).([]*net.MX)
+	return recs, args.Error(1)
+}
+
+func (m *MockResolver) LookupTXT(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]string, error) {
+	args := m.Called(ctx, name)
+	recs, _ := args.Get(0).([]string)
+	return recs, args.Error(1)
+}
+
+func (m *MockResolver) LookupNS(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]*net.NS, error) {
+	args := m.Called(ctx, name)
+	recs, _ := args.Get(0).([]*net.NS)
+	return recs, args.Error(1)
+}
+
+func (m *MockResolver) LookupSRV(ctx context.Context, service, proto, name string) (string, []*net.SRV, error) {
+	args := m.Called(ctx, service, proto, name)
+	recs, _ := args.Get(1).([]*net.SRV)
+	return args.String(0), recs, args.Error(2)
+}
+
+func (m *MockResolver) LookupCNAME(ctx context.Context, host string) (string, error) {
+	args := m.Called(ctx, host)
+	return args.String(0), args.Error(1)
+}
+
+func (m *MockResolver) LookupAddr(ctx context.Context, addr string) ([]string, error) {
+	args := m.Called(ctx, addr)
+	recs, _ := args.Get(0).([]string)
+	return recs, args.Error(1)
+}
+
 func TestDNSForwarder_SubdomainAccessLogic(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name             string
@@ -545,12 +580,15 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_MultipleIPsInSingleUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestDNSForwarder_ResponseCodes(t *testing.T) {
+	// A type with no net.Resolver Lookup method (CAA) must answer NODATA
+	// (NOERROR, empty) rather than NXDOMAIN/NOTIMP to avoid poisoning the name.
 	tests := []struct {
 		name         string
 		queryType    uint16
 		queryDomain  string
 		configured   string
 		expectedCode int
+		expectEDE    bool
 		description  string
 	}{
 		{
@@ -562,28 +600,13 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ResponseCodes(t *testing.T) {
 			description:  "RFC compliant REFUSED for unauthorized queries",
 		},
 		{
-			name:         "unsupported query type returns NOTIMP",
-			queryType:    dns.TypeMX,
+			name:         "unsupported query type returns NODATA",
+			queryType:    dns.TypeCAA,
 			queryDomain:  "example.com",
 			configured:   "example.com",
-			expectedCode: dns.RcodeNotImplemented,
-			description:  "RFC compliant NOTIMP for unsupported types",
-		},
-		{
-			name:         "CNAME query returns NOTIMP",
-			queryType:    dns.TypeCNAME,
-			queryDomain:  "example.com",
-			configured:   "example.com",
-			expectedCode: dns.RcodeNotImplemented,
-			description:  "CNAME queries not supported",
-		},
-		{
-			name:         "TXT query returns NOTIMP",
-			queryType:    dns.TypeTXT,
-			queryDomain:  "example.com",
-			configured:   "example.com",
-			expectedCode: dns.RcodeNotImplemented,
-			description:  "TXT queries not supported",
+			expectedCode: dns.RcodeSuccess,
+			expectEDE:    true,
+			description:  "Unsupported types answer NODATA, not NXDOMAIN/NOTIMP",
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -599,6 +622,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ResponseCodes(t *testing.T) {
 
 			query := &dns.Msg{}
 			query.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn(tt.queryDomain), tt.queryType)
+			query.SetEdns0(dns.DefaultMsgSize, false)
 
 			// Capture the written response
 			var writtenResp *dns.Msg
@@ -614,10 +638,213 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ResponseCodes(t *testing.T) {
 			// Check the response written to the writer
 			require.NotNil(t, writtenResp, "Expected response to be written")
 			assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedCode, writtenResp.Rcode, tt.description)
+			assert.Empty(t, writtenResp.Answer, "Non-address response should carry no answers")
+
+			if tt.expectEDE {
+				require.NotNil(t, writtenResp.IsEdns0(), "EDNS0 client should get an OPT in the reply")
+				assert.True(t, hasEDE(writtenResp, dns.ExtendedErrorCodeNotSupported),
+					"unsupported type NODATA should carry EDE Not Supported")
+			}
 		})
 	}
 }
 
+func hasEDE(m *dns.Msg, code uint16) bool {
+	opt := m.IsEdns0()
+	if opt == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	for _, o := range opt.Option {
+		if ede, ok := o.(*dns.EDNS0_EDE); ok && ede.InfoCode == code {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func TestDNSForwarder_RecordQueries(t *testing.T) {
+	notFound := &net.DNSError{IsNotFound: true, Name: "example.com"}
+
+	t.Run("MX records are forwarded", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupMX", mock.Anything, "example.com.").
+			Return([]*net.MX{{Host: "mail.example.com.", Pref: 10}}, nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "example.com", dns.TypeMX)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		mx, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.MX)
+		require.True(t, ok, "answer should be an MX record")
+		assert.Equal(t, uint16(10), mx.Preference)
+		assert.Equal(t, "mail.example.com.", mx.Mx)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("missing MX is NODATA not NXDOMAIN", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "example.com")
+
+		// A not-found cannot prove the name is absent (it may exist with only
+		// other record types), so it must answer NODATA, never NXDOMAIN.
+		mockResolver.On("LookupMX", mock.Anything, "example.com.").
+			Return(nil, notFound).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "example.com", dns.TypeMX)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode, "missing record must be NODATA")
+		assert.Empty(t, resp.Answer)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("NS records are forwarded", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupNS", mock.Anything, "example.com.").
+			Return([]*net.NS{{Host: "ns1.example.com."}}, nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "example.com", dns.TypeNS)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		ns, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.NS)
+		require.True(t, ok, "answer should be an NS record")
+		assert.Equal(t, "ns1.example.com.", ns.Ns)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("missing NS is NODATA", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupNS", mock.Anything, "example.com.").
+			Return(nil, notFound).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "example.com", dns.TypeNS)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		assert.Empty(t, resp.Answer)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("SRV records are forwarded", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "_sip._tcp.example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupSRV", mock.Anything, "", "", "_sip._tcp.example.com.").
+			Return("", []*net.SRV{{Target: "sip.example.com.", Port: 5060, Priority: 10, Weight: 5}}, nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "_sip._tcp.example.com", dns.TypeSRV)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		srv, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.SRV)
+		require.True(t, ok, "answer should be an SRV record")
+		assert.Equal(t, "sip.example.com.", srv.Target)
+		assert.Equal(t, uint16(5060), srv.Port)
+		assert.Equal(t, uint16(10), srv.Priority)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("missing SRV is NODATA", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "_sip._tcp.example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupSRV", mock.Anything, "", "", "_sip._tcp.example.com.").
+			Return("", nil, notFound).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "_sip._tcp.example.com", dns.TypeSRV)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		assert.Empty(t, resp.Answer)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("TXT records are forwarded", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupTXT", mock.Anything, "example.com.").
+			Return([]string{"v=spf1 -all"}, nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "example.com", dns.TypeTXT)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		txt, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.TXT)
+		require.True(t, ok, "answer should be a TXT record")
+		assert.Equal(t, []string{"v=spf1 -all"}, txt.Txt)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CNAME record is forwarded", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "www.example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupCNAME", mock.Anything, "www.example.com.").
+			Return("target.example.com.", nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "www.example.com", dns.TypeCNAME)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		cname, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.CNAME)
+		require.True(t, ok, "answer should be a CNAME record")
+		assert.Equal(t, "target.example.com.", cname.Target)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CNAME equal to the name is NODATA", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "example.com")
+
+		// No CNAME exists: LookupCNAME echoes the queried name back.
+		mockResolver.On("LookupCNAME", mock.Anything, "example.com.").
+			Return("example.com.", nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "example.com", dns.TypeCNAME)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		assert.Empty(t, resp.Answer, "self-referential CNAME means no CNAME record")
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("PTR record is forwarded", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "*.in-addr.arpa")
+
+		// The reverse name is parsed back to the address LookupAddr expects.
+		mockResolver.On("LookupAddr", mock.Anything, "1.2.3.4").
+			Return([]string{"host.example.com."}, nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "4.3.2.1.in-addr.arpa", dns.TypePTR)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		ptr, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.PTR)
+		require.True(t, ok, "answer should be a PTR record")
+		assert.Equal(t, "host.example.com.", ptr.Ptr)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+}
+
+func newRecordTestForwarder(t *testing.T, r resolver, configured string) *DNSForwarder {
+	t.Helper()
+	forwarder := NewDNSForwarder(netip.MustParseAddrPort("127.0.0.1:0"), 300, nil, &peer.Status{}, nil)
+	forwarder.resolver = r
+
+	d, err := domain.FromString(configured)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	forwarder.UpdateDomains([]*ForwarderEntry{{Domain: d, ResID: "test-res"}})
+	return forwarder
+}
+
+func runRecordQuery(t *testing.T, forwarder *DNSForwarder, qname string, qtype uint16) *dns.Msg {
+	t.Helper()
+	query := &dns.Msg{}
+	query.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn(qname), qtype)
+
+	mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
+	forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query, time.Now())
+
+	resp := mockWriter.GetLastResponse()
+	require.NotNil(t, resp, "expected response to be written")
+	return resp
+}
+
 func TestDNSForwarder_UpstreamFailureEDE(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name        string

client/internal/engine.go

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dnsfwd"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/expose"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/ingressgw"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/lazyconn"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/metrics"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow"
 	nftypes "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/types"
@@ -82,6 +83,12 @@ const (
 	PeerConnectionTimeoutMax = 45000 // ms
 	PeerConnectionTimeoutMin = 30000 // ms
 	disableAutoUpdate        = "disabled"
+
+	// systemInfoTimeout bounds how long the sync loop waits for system info / posture
+	// check gathering. The gathering runs uncancellable system calls (process scan,
+	// exec, os.Stat); without this bound a single stuck call freezes handleSync, and
+	// thus syncMsgMux, for as long as the call hangs (observed multi-minute freezes).
+	systemInfoTimeout = 15 * time.Second
 )
 
 var ErrResetConnection = fmt.Errorf("reset connection")
@@ -141,7 +148,9 @@ type EngineConfig struct {
 	BlockInbound        bool
 	DisableIPv6         bool
 
-	LazyConnectionEnabled bool
+	// LazyConnection is the MDM-sourced lazy-connection override; StateUnset defers to
+	// the env var and management feature flag.
+	LazyConnection lazyconn.State
 
 	MTU uint16
 
@@ -166,6 +175,7 @@ type EngineServices struct {
 	StateManager   *statemanager.Manager
 	UpdateManager  *updater.Manager
 	ClientMetrics  *metrics.ClientMetrics
+	MetricsCtx     context.Context
 }
 
 // Engine is a mechanism responsible for reacting on Signal and Management stream events and managing connections to the remote peers.
@@ -258,11 +268,26 @@ type Engine struct {
 
 	// clientMetrics collects and pushes metrics
 	clientMetrics *metrics.ClientMetrics
+	metricsCtx    context.Context
 
 	jobExecutor   *jobexec.Executor
 	jobExecutorWG sync.WaitGroup
 
 	exposeManager *expose.Manager
+
+	sessionWatcher sessionDeadlineWatcher
+}
+
+// sessionDeadlineWatcher is the engine-facing surface of the SSO session
+// expiry watcher. The concrete implementation (sessionwatch.Watcher) is wired
+// in via newSessionWatcher, which is build-tagged so the js/wasm build links a
+// no-op stub instead of pulling the full sessionwatch package (and its timer
+// machinery) into the binary — the wasm client never runs the engine's
+// session-warning flow.
+type sessionDeadlineWatcher interface {
+	Update(deadline time.Time) error
+	Dismiss()
+	Close()
 }
 
 // Peer is an instance of the Connection Peer
@@ -310,9 +335,21 @@ func NewEngine(
 		probeStunTurn:      relay.NewStunTurnProbe(relay.DefaultCacheTTL),
 		jobExecutor:        jobexec.NewExecutor(),
 		clientMetrics:      services.ClientMetrics,
+		metricsCtx:         services.MetricsCtx,
 		updateManager:      services.UpdateManager,
 		syncStoreDir:       config.StateDir,
 	}
+	// sessionWatcher keeps the SubscribeStatus consumers in sync with the
+	// session expiry deadline. Deadline-change ticks come for free via
+	// Status.SetSessionExpiresAt; the watcher exists to push a wake-up at
+	// T-WarningLead and T-FinalWarningLead so the UI repaints the remaining
+	// time / warning state even when nothing else changed, and to publish
+	// two SystemEvents (the warning composition lives in sessionwatch so
+	// the wire format stays owned by one package):
+	//   - T-WarningLead   → interactive "Extend now / Dismiss" notification
+	//   - T-FinalWarningLead → auto-opened SessionAboutToExpire dialog,
+	//     suppressed when the user dismissed the earlier warning
+	engine.sessionWatcher = newSessionWatcher(engine.statusRecorder)
 
 	log.Infof("I am: %s", config.WgPrivateKey.PublicKey().String())
 	return engine
@@ -379,6 +416,10 @@ func (e *Engine) stopLocked() {
 		e.srWatcher.Close()
 	}
 
+	if e.sessionWatcher != nil {
+		e.sessionWatcher.Close()
+	}
+
 	if e.updateManager != nil {
 		e.updateManager.SetDownloadOnly()
 	}
@@ -510,7 +551,7 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 		} else {
 			log.Infof("running rosenpass in strict mode")
 		}
-		e.rpManager, err = rosenpass.NewManager(e.config.PreSharedKey, e.config.WgIfaceName)
+		e.rpManager, err = rosenpass.NewManager(e.config.PreSharedKey, e.config.WgIfaceName, publicKey)
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("create rosenpass manager: %w", err)
 		}
@@ -895,6 +936,16 @@ func (e *Engine) handleAutoUpdateVersion(autoUpdateSettings *mgmProto.AutoUpdate
 	e.updateManager.SetVersion(autoUpdateSettings.Version, autoUpdateSettings.AlwaysUpdate)
 }
 
+// phase times a sync sub-phase: it returns a function that records the elapsed
+// duration when called. Starting the timer at the call site keeps inter-phase
+// glue code out of the measurement.
+func (e *Engine) phase(name string) func() {
+	start := time.Now()
+	return func() {
+		e.clientMetrics.RecordSyncPhase(e.ctx, name, time.Since(start))
+	}
+}
+
 func (e *Engine) handleSync(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) error {
 	started := time.Now()
 	defer func() {
@@ -910,11 +961,16 @@ func (e *Engine) handleSync(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) error {
 		return e.ctx.Err()
 	}
 
+	e.ApplySessionDeadline(update.GetSessionExpiresAt())
+
 	if update.NetworkMap != nil && update.NetworkMap.PeerConfig != nil {
 		e.handleAutoUpdateVersion(update.NetworkMap.PeerConfig.AutoUpdate)
 	}
 
-	if err := e.updateNetbirdConfig(update.GetNetbirdConfig()); err != nil {
+	done := e.phase("netbird_config")
+	err := e.updateNetbirdConfig(update.GetNetbirdConfig())
+	done()
+	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -928,11 +984,16 @@ func (e *Engine) handleSync(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	if err := e.updateChecksIfNew(update.Checks); err != nil {
+	done = e.phase("checks")
+	err = e.updateChecksIfNew(update.Checks)
+	done()
+	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	done = e.phase("persist")
 	e.persistSyncResponse(update)
+	done()
 
 	// only apply new changes and ignore old ones
 	if err := e.updateNetworkMap(nm); err != nil {
@@ -973,6 +1034,8 @@ func (e *Engine) updateNetbirdConfig(wCfg *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("handle the flow configuration: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	e.handleMetricsUpdate(wCfg.GetMetrics())
+
 	if err := e.PopulateNetbirdConfig(wCfg, nil); err != nil {
 		log.Warnf("Failed to update DNS server config: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -1042,6 +1105,14 @@ func (e *Engine) handleFlowUpdate(config *mgmProto.FlowConfig) error {
 	return e.flowManager.Update(flowConfig)
 }
 
+func (e *Engine) handleMetricsUpdate(config *mgmProto.MetricsConfig) {
+	if config == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	log.Infof("received metrics configuration from management: enabled=%v", config.GetEnabled())
+	e.clientMetrics.UpdatePushFromMgm(e.metricsCtx, config.GetEnabled())
+}
+
 func toFlowLoggerConfig(config *mgmProto.FlowConfig) (*nftypes.FlowConfig, error) {
 	if config.GetInterval() == nil {
 		return nil, errors.New("flow interval is nil")
@@ -1066,11 +1137,22 @@ func (e *Engine) updateChecksIfNew(checks []*mgmProto.Checks) error {
 	}
 	e.checks = 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)
+	info, ok := system.GetInfoWithChecksTimeout(e.ctx, systemInfoTimeout, checks, e.overlayAddresses()...)
+	if !ok {
+		// Gathering timed out; skip the meta sync this cycle rather than blocking the
+		// sync loop (and syncMsgMux) on a stuck system call. A later sync will retry.
+		return nil
 	}
+	e.applyInfoFlags(info)
+
+	if err := e.mgmClient.SyncMeta(info); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("could not sync meta: error %s", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// applyInfoFlags sets the engine's config-derived feature flags on the gathered system info.
+func (e *Engine) applyInfoFlags(info *system.Info) {
 	info.SetFlags(
 		e.config.RosenpassEnabled,
 		e.config.RosenpassPermissive,
@@ -1082,19 +1164,12 @@ func (e *Engine) updateChecksIfNew(checks []*mgmProto.Checks) error {
 		e.config.BlockLANAccess,
 		e.config.BlockInbound,
 		e.config.DisableIPv6,
-		e.config.LazyConnectionEnabled,
 		e.config.EnableSSHRoot,
 		e.config.EnableSSHSFTP,
 		e.config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding,
 		e.config.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding,
 		e.config.DisableSSHAuth,
 	)
-
-	if err := e.mgmClient.SyncMeta(info); err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("could not sync meta: error %s", err)
-		return err
-	}
-	return nil
 }
 
 // overlayAddresses returns our own WireGuard overlay address (v4 and v6) so it
@@ -1223,7 +1298,7 @@ func (e *Engine) handleBundle(params *mgmProto.BundleParameters) (*mgmProto.JobR
 		ClientMetrics:  e.clientMetrics,
 		DaemonVersion:  version.NetbirdVersion(),
 		RefreshStatus: func() {
-			e.RunHealthProbes(true)
+			e.RunHealthProbes(e.ctx, true)
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -1254,31 +1329,15 @@ func (e *Engine) receiveManagementEvents() {
 	e.shutdownWg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		defer e.shutdownWg.Done()
-		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, ok := system.GetInfoWithChecksTimeout(e.ctx, systemInfoTimeout, e.checks, e.overlayAddresses()...)
+		if !ok {
+			// Gathering timed out; connect the stream with base info so management
+			// connectivity still comes up rather than blocking here.
 			info = system.GetInfo(e.ctx)
 		}
-		info.SetFlags(
-			e.config.RosenpassEnabled,
-			e.config.RosenpassPermissive,
-			&e.config.ServerSSHAllowed,
-			e.config.DisableClientRoutes,
-			e.config.DisableServerRoutes,
-			e.config.DisableDNS,
-			e.config.DisableFirewall,
-			e.config.BlockLANAccess,
-			e.config.BlockInbound,
-			e.config.DisableIPv6,
-			e.config.LazyConnectionEnabled,
-			e.config.EnableSSHRoot,
-			e.config.EnableSSHSFTP,
-			e.config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding,
-			e.config.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding,
-			e.config.DisableSSHAuth,
-		)
+		e.applyInfoFlags(info)
 
-		err = e.mgmClient.Sync(e.ctx, info, e.handleSync)
+		err := e.mgmClient.Sync(e.ctx, info, e.handleSync)
 		if err != nil {
 			// happens if management is unavailable for a long time.
 			// We want to cancel the operation of the whole client
@@ -1371,13 +1430,16 @@ func (e *Engine) updateNetworkMap(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) error {
 
 	dnsConfig := toDNSConfig(protoDNSConfig, e.wgInterface.Address())
 
+	done := e.phase("dns_server")
 	if err := e.dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(serial, dnsConfig); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to update dns server, err: %v", err)
 	}
+	done()
 
 	e.routeManager.SetDNSForwarderPort(dnsConfig.ForwarderPort)
 
 	// apply routes first, route related actions might depend on routing being enabled
+	done = e.phase("routes_classify")
 	routes := toRoutes(networkMap.GetRoutes())
 	serverRoutes, clientRoutes := e.routeManager.ClassifyRoutes(routes)
 
@@ -1386,29 +1448,60 @@ func (e *Engine) updateNetworkMap(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) error {
 		e.connMgr.UpdateRouteHAMap(clientRoutes)
 		log.Debugf("updated lazy connection manager with %d HA groups", len(clientRoutes))
 	}
+	done()
 
+	done = e.phase("routes_apply")
 	dnsRouteFeatureFlag := toDNSFeatureFlag(networkMap)
 	if err := e.routeManager.UpdateRoutes(serial, serverRoutes, clientRoutes, dnsRouteFeatureFlag); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to update routes: %v", err)
 	}
+	done()
 
+	done = e.phase("filtering")
 	if e.acl != nil {
 		e.acl.ApplyFiltering(networkMap, dnsRouteFeatureFlag)
 	}
+	done()
 
+	done = e.phase("dns_forwarder")
 	fwdEntries := toRouteDomains(e.config.WgPrivateKey.PublicKey().String(), routes)
 	e.updateDNSForwarder(dnsRouteFeatureFlag, fwdEntries)
+	done()
 
 	// Ingress forward rules
+	done = e.phase("forward_rules")
 	forwardingRules, err := e.updateForwardRules(networkMap.GetForwardingRules())
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to update forward rules, err: %v", err)
 	}
+	done()
 
 	log.Debugf("got peers update from Management Service, total peers to connect to = %d", len(networkMap.GetRemotePeers()))
 
+	done = e.phase("offline_peers")
 	e.updateOfflinePeers(networkMap.GetOfflinePeers())
+	done()
 
+	remotePeers, err := e.reconcilePeers(networkMap)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// must set the exclude list after the peers are added. Without it the manager can not figure out the peers parameters from the store
+	done = e.phase("lazy_exclude")
+	excludedLazyPeers := e.toExcludedLazyPeers(forwardingRules, remotePeers)
+	e.connMgr.SetExcludeList(e.ctx, excludedLazyPeers)
+	done()
+
+	e.networkSerial = serial
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// reconcilePeers applies the remote peer list from the network map (removing,
+// modifying and adding peers, then updating SSH config) and returns the remote
+// peers with our own peer filtered out, for use by later sync steps.
+func (e *Engine) reconcilePeers(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) ([]*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig, error) {
 	// Filter out own peer from the remote peers list
 	localPubKey := e.config.WgPrivateKey.PublicKey().String()
 	remotePeers := make([]*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig, 0, len(networkMap.GetRemotePeers()))
@@ -1423,42 +1516,43 @@ func (e *Engine) updateNetworkMap(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) error {
 		err := e.removeAllPeers()
 		e.statusRecorder.FinishPeerListModifications()
 		if err != nil {
-			return err
+			return nil, err
 		}
-	} else {
-		err := e.removePeers(remotePeers)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		err = e.modifyPeers(remotePeers)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		err = e.addNewPeers(remotePeers)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		e.statusRecorder.FinishPeerListModifications()
-
-		e.updatePeerSSHHostKeys(remotePeers)
-
-		if err := e.updateSSHClientConfig(remotePeers); err != nil {
-			log.Warnf("failed to update SSH client config: %v", err)
-		}
-
-		e.updateSSHServerAuth(networkMap.GetSshAuth())
+		return remotePeers, nil
 	}
 
-	// must set the exclude list after the peers are added. Without it the manager can not figure out the peers parameters from the store
-	excludedLazyPeers := e.toExcludedLazyPeers(forwardingRules, remotePeers)
-	e.connMgr.SetExcludeList(e.ctx, excludedLazyPeers)
+	done := e.phase("removed_peers")
+	err := e.removePeers(remotePeers)
+	done()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 
-	e.networkSerial = serial
+	done = e.phase("modified_peers")
+	err = e.modifyPeers(remotePeers)
+	done()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 
-	return nil
+	done = e.phase("added_peers")
+	err = e.addNewPeers(remotePeers)
+	done()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	e.statusRecorder.FinishPeerListModifications()
+
+	e.updatePeerSSHHostKeys(remotePeers)
+
+	if err := e.updateSSHClientConfig(remotePeers); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to update SSH client config: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	e.updateSSHServerAuth(networkMap.GetSshAuth())
+
+	return remotePeers, nil
 }
 
 func toDNSFeatureFlag(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) bool {
@@ -1938,7 +2032,6 @@ func (e *Engine) readInitialSettings() ([]*route.Route, *nbdns.Config, bool, err
 		e.config.BlockLANAccess,
 		e.config.BlockInbound,
 		e.config.DisableIPv6,
-		e.config.LazyConnectionEnabled,
 		e.config.EnableSSHRoot,
 		e.config.EnableSSHSFTP,
 		e.config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding,
@@ -2131,7 +2224,20 @@ func (e *Engine) getRosenpassAddr() string {
 
 // RunHealthProbes executes health checks for Signal, Management, Relay, and WireGuard services
 // and updates the status recorder with the latest states.
-func (e *Engine) RunHealthProbes(waitForResult bool) bool {
+//
+// ctx scopes the (potentially slow) STUN/TURN probing: a caller that gives up —
+// e.g. a Status RPC whose client disconnected — cancels its ctx and the probe
+// returns instead of running to its per-component timeout. The engine's own
+// lifetime ctx still applies independently, so an engine shutdown aborts the
+// probe even if the caller's ctx is context.Background().
+func (e *Engine) RunHealthProbes(ctx context.Context, waitForResult bool) bool {
+	// Tie the caller's ctx to the engine lifetime: either cancelling aborts
+	// the probe below.
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
+	defer cancel()
+	stop := context.AfterFunc(e.ctx, cancel)
+	defer stop()
+
 	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
 
 	signalHealthy := e.signal.IsHealthy()
@@ -2154,9 +2260,9 @@ func (e *Engine) RunHealthProbes(waitForResult bool) bool {
 	if runtime.GOOS != "js" {
 		var results []relay.ProbeResult
 		if waitForResult {
-			results = e.probeStunTurn.ProbeAllWaitResult(e.ctx, stuns, turns)
+			results = e.probeStunTurn.ProbeAllWaitResult(ctx, stuns, turns)
 		} else {
-			results = e.probeStunTurn.ProbeAll(e.ctx, stuns, turns)
+			results = e.probeStunTurn.ProbeAll(ctx, stuns, turns)
 		}
 		e.statusRecorder.UpdateRelayStates(results)
 
@@ -2499,13 +2605,14 @@ func (e *Engine) updateForwardRules(rules []*mgmProto.ForwardingRule) ([]firewal
 
 func (e *Engine) toExcludedLazyPeers(rules []firewallManager.ForwardRule, peers []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig) map[string]bool {
 	excludedPeers := make(map[string]bool)
+
+	// Ingress forward targets: inbound forwarded traffic is initiated remotely and
+	// cannot wake a lazy connection, so the peer routing the target must stay
+	// permanently connected. AllowedIPs are already parsed on the peer conn, so
+	// reuse those typed prefixes instead of re-parsing the network map strings.
 	for _, r := range rules {
-		ip := r.TranslatedAddress
 		for _, p := range peers {
-			for _, allowedIP := range p.GetAllowedIps() {
-				if allowedIP != ip.String() {
-					continue
-				}
+			if e.peerRoutesAddr(p, r.TranslatedAddress) {
 				log.Infof("exclude forwarder peer from lazy connection: %s", p.GetWgPubKey())
 				excludedPeers[p.GetWgPubKey()] = true
 			}
@@ -2515,6 +2622,27 @@ func (e *Engine) toExcludedLazyPeers(rules []firewallManager.ForwardRule, peers
 	return excludedPeers
 }
 
+// peerRoutesAddr reports whether the peer is a router for addr, matched against
+// the peer's already-parsed AllowedIPs from the store (the same typed value the
+// lazy manager consumes) rather than re-parsing the network map strings.
+func (e *Engine) peerRoutesAddr(p *mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig, addr netip.Addr) bool {
+	prefixes, ok := e.peerStore.AllowedIPs(p.GetWgPubKey())
+	if !ok {
+		return false
+	}
+	return prefixesContain(prefixes, addr)
+}
+
+// prefixesContain reports whether addr falls within any of the prefixes.
+func prefixesContain(prefixes []netip.Prefix, addr netip.Addr) bool {
+	for _, prefix := range prefixes {
+		if prefix.Contains(addr) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 // isChecksEqual checks if two slices of checks are equal.
 func isChecksEqual(checks1, checks2 []*mgmProto.Checks) bool {
 	normalize := func(checks []*mgmProto.Checks) []string {

client/internal/engine_authsession.go

@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"google.golang.org/protobuf/types/known/timestamppb"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/auth/sessionwatch"
+	cProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
+)
+
+// ApplySessionDeadline propagates the absolute SSO session deadline carried on
+// LoginResponse / SyncResponse to both the watcher (for the edge-triggered
+// warning) and the status recorder (for the SubscribeStatus / Status RPC
+// snapshot the UI consumes).
+//
+// The wire field is 3-state:
+//   - nil                        → snapshot carries no info; keep the
+//     previously-anchored deadline (no-op)
+//   - explicit zero (s=0, n=0)   → peer is not SSO-registered or expiry is
+//     disabled; clear both sinks
+//   - valid timestamp            → new deadline; arm watcher, expose on
+//     status recorder
+//
+// Deadline sanity-checks live in sessionwatch.Watcher.Update. Any rejected
+// value is treated as a clear on both sinks: the alternative — leaving the
+// previously-known deadline in place — risks the UI confidently displaying
+// a stale "expires in X" while the server has actually invalidated it.
+func (e *Engine) ApplySessionDeadline(ts *timestamppb.Timestamp) {
+	if ts == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	var deadline time.Time
+	// Explicit zero (seconds=0 AND nanos=0) is the sentinel for "disabled".
+	// Everything else flows through Watcher.Update, whose sanity-checks
+	// reject out-of-range / pre-epoch / far-future / too-stale values and
+	// clear on rejection.
+	if ts.GetSeconds() != 0 || ts.GetNanos() != 0 {
+		deadline = ts.AsTime().UTC()
+	}
+	if e.sessionWatcher == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	// Watcher.Update owns the propagation to the status recorder (the
+	// SubscribeStatus / Status snapshot the UI reads): a set writes the
+	// deadline, a clear or a sanity-check rejection writes the zero value.
+	// Keeping a single writer is what stops the recorder from drifting out
+	// of sync with the warning timers.
+	if err := e.sessionWatcher.Update(deadline); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("auth session deadline rejected: %v, clearing", err)
+		e.statusRecorder.PublishEvent(
+			cProto.SystemEvent_ERROR,
+			cProto.SystemEvent_AUTHENTICATION,
+			"session deadline rejected",
+			"",
+			map[string]string{sessionwatch.MetaSessionDeadlineRejected: err.Error()},
+		)
+	}
+}
+
+// DismissSessionWarning records the user's "Dismiss" click on the
+// T-WarningLead interactive notification and suppresses the upcoming
+// T-FinalWarningLead fallback for the current deadline. No-op when the
+// watcher is not running or holds no deadline.
+func (e *Engine) DismissSessionWarning() {
+	if e.sessionWatcher == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	e.sessionWatcher.Dismiss()
+}
+
+// ExtendAuthSession asks the management server to refresh the SSO session
+// expiry deadline using the supplied JWT, then mirrors the new deadline into
+// the daemon's state. The tunnel is untouched; no resync, no reconnect.
+//
+// Returns the new absolute UTC deadline (or zero time when the server
+// reports the peer is not eligible for extension).
+func (e *Engine) ExtendAuthSession(ctx context.Context, jwtToken string) (time.Time, error) {
+	if jwtToken == "" {
+		return time.Time{}, errors.New("jwt token is required")
+	}
+	if e.mgmClient == nil {
+		return time.Time{}, errors.New("management client is not initialised")
+	}
+
+	info, err := system.GetInfoWithChecks(ctx, e.checks)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to collect system info for session extend: %v", err)
+		info = system.GetInfo(ctx)
+	}
+
+	resp, err := e.mgmClient.ExtendAuthSession(info, jwtToken)
+	if err != nil {
+		return time.Time{}, fmt.Errorf("extend auth session on management: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	e.ApplySessionDeadline(resp.GetSessionExpiresAt())
+
+	if resp.GetSessionExpiresAt().IsValid() {
+		return resp.GetSessionExpiresAt().AsTime().UTC(), nil
+	}
+	return time.Time{}, nil
+}

client/internal/engine_lazy_exclude_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"net/netip"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	firewallManager "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peerstore"
+	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
+)
+
+func TestPrefixesContain(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		prefixes []string
+		addr     string
+		want     bool
+	}{
+		{name: "own overlay /32 matches", prefixes: []string{"100.110.8.145/32"}, addr: "100.110.8.145", want: true},
+		{name: "addr inside routed subnet", prefixes: []string{"10.121.0.0/16"}, addr: "10.121.208.4", want: true},
+		{name: "addr outside subnet", prefixes: []string{"10.121.0.0/16"}, addr: "10.122.0.1", want: false},
+		{name: "different /32", prefixes: []string{"100.110.8.145/32"}, addr: "100.110.8.146", want: false},
+		{name: "ipv6 /128 matches", prefixes: []string{"fd00::1/128"}, addr: "fd00::1", want: true},
+		{name: "no prefixes", prefixes: nil, addr: "10.121.208.4", want: false},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			prefixes := make([]netip.Prefix, 0, len(tt.prefixes))
+			for _, p := range tt.prefixes {
+				prefixes = append(prefixes, netip.MustParsePrefix(p))
+			}
+			require.Equal(t, tt.want, prefixesContain(prefixes, netip.MustParseAddr(tt.addr)))
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestToExcludedLazyPeers_ForwardTarget guards a regression: the forward-target
+// peer (the peer routing a ForwardRule.TranslatedAddress) must be excluded from
+// lazy connections, matched via the peer's already-parsed AllowedIPs.
+func TestToExcludedLazyPeers_ForwardTarget(t *testing.T) {
+	const targetPeerKey = "cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc0="
+	const otherPeerKey = "dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd0="
+
+	store := peerstore.NewConnStore()
+	store.AddPeerConn(targetPeerKey, newTestConn(t, targetPeerKey, "100.110.8.145/32"))
+	store.AddPeerConn(otherPeerKey, newTestConn(t, otherPeerKey, "100.110.9.10/32"))
+
+	e := &Engine{peerStore: store}
+
+	peers := []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig{
+		{WgPubKey: targetPeerKey, AllowedIps: []string{"100.110.8.145/32"}},
+		{WgPubKey: otherPeerKey, AllowedIps: []string{"100.110.9.10/32"}},
+	}
+	rules := []firewallManager.ForwardRule{
+		{TranslatedAddress: netip.MustParseAddr("100.110.8.145")},
+	}
+
+	excluded := e.toExcludedLazyPeers(rules, peers)
+
+	require.True(t, excluded[targetPeerKey], "forward-target peer must be excluded from lazy connections")
+	require.False(t, excluded[otherPeerKey], "non-target peer must not be excluded")
+	require.Len(t, excluded, 1)
+}
+
+func TestToExcludedLazyPeers_NoRules(t *testing.T) {
+	e := &Engine{peerStore: peerstore.NewConnStore()}
+
+	peers := []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig{
+		{WgPubKey: "peer-a", AllowedIps: []string{"100.110.8.145/32"}},
+	}
+
+	require.Empty(t, e.toExcludedLazyPeers(nil, peers))
+}
+
+func newTestConn(t *testing.T, key, allowedIP string) *peer.Conn {
+	t.Helper()
+	conn, err := peer.NewConn(peer.ConnConfig{
+		Key:      key,
+		WgConfig: peer.WgConfig{AllowedIps: []netip.Prefix{netip.MustParsePrefix(allowedIP)}},
+	}, peer.ServiceDependencies{})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	return conn
+}

client/internal/engine_session_deadline_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"google.golang.org/protobuf/types/known/timestamppb"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/auth/sessionwatch"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+)
+
+// TestApplySessionDeadline_ThreeState pins down the 3-state semantics of the
+// wire field carried on LoginResponse / SyncResponse:
+//
+//   - nil pointer            → no info; previously-anchored deadline survives
+//   - explicit zero value    → "expiry disabled" sentinel; both sinks cleared
+//   - valid future timestamp → new deadline propagated to both sinks
+func TestApplySessionDeadline_ThreeState(t *testing.T) {
+	newEngine := func() *Engine {
+		recorder := peer.NewRecorder("")
+		return &Engine{
+			statusRecorder: recorder,
+			sessionWatcher: sessionwatch.New(recorder),
+		}
+	}
+
+	t.Run("valid timestamp sets deadline on both sinks", func(t *testing.T) {
+		e := newEngine()
+		deadline := time.Now().Add(time.Hour).UTC().Truncate(time.Second)
+
+		e.ApplySessionDeadline(timestamppb.New(deadline))
+
+		require.True(t, e.statusRecorder.GetSessionExpiresAt().Equal(deadline),
+			"status recorder should hold the new deadline")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("nil is a no-op and preserves previous deadline", func(t *testing.T) {
+		e := newEngine()
+		seeded := time.Now().Add(time.Hour).UTC().Truncate(time.Second)
+		e.ApplySessionDeadline(timestamppb.New(seeded))
+		require.True(t, e.statusRecorder.GetSessionExpiresAt().Equal(seeded))
+
+		e.ApplySessionDeadline(nil)
+
+		require.True(t, e.statusRecorder.GetSessionExpiresAt().Equal(seeded),
+			"nil snapshot must not disturb the existing deadline")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("explicit zero clears a previously-anchored deadline", func(t *testing.T) {
+		e := newEngine()
+		seeded := time.Now().Add(time.Hour).UTC().Truncate(time.Second)
+		e.ApplySessionDeadline(timestamppb.New(seeded))
+		require.True(t, e.statusRecorder.GetSessionExpiresAt().Equal(seeded))
+
+		// Explicit zero Timestamp{} (seconds=0, nanos=0) is the
+		// "expiry disabled / not SSO" sentinel.
+		e.ApplySessionDeadline(&timestamppb.Timestamp{})
+
+		require.True(t, e.statusRecorder.GetSessionExpiresAt().IsZero(),
+			"explicit zero sentinel must clear the deadline")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("invalid timestamp clears the deadline", func(t *testing.T) {
+		e := newEngine()
+		seeded := time.Now().Add(time.Hour).UTC().Truncate(time.Second)
+		e.ApplySessionDeadline(timestamppb.New(seeded))
+		require.True(t, e.statusRecorder.GetSessionExpiresAt().Equal(seeded))
+
+		// Out-of-range nanos → IsValid()==false; same-meaning as the
+		// disabled sentinel for downstream sinks.
+		e.ApplySessionDeadline(&timestamppb.Timestamp{Seconds: 1, Nanos: -1})
+
+		require.True(t, e.statusRecorder.GetSessionExpiresAt().IsZero(),
+			"invalid timestamp must clear the deadline")
+	})
+}

client/internal/engine_sessionwatch.go

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+//go:build !js
+
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/auth/sessionwatch"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+)
+
+// newSessionWatcher returns the real SSO session expiry watcher for every
+// non-wasm build. The js/wasm build gets a no-op stub from
+// engine_sessionwatch_js.go so the sessionwatch package (and its timer
+// machinery) never links into the wasm binary.
+func newSessionWatcher(recorder *peer.Status) sessionDeadlineWatcher {
+	return sessionwatch.New(recorder)
+}

client/internal/engine_sessionwatch_js.go

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+//go:build js
+
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+)
+
+// noopSessionWatcher is the js/wasm stand-in for sessionwatch.Watcher. The
+// wasm client never runs the engine's session-warning flow (the interactive
+// T-WarningLead notification and the T-FinalWarningLead fallback dialog live
+// in the desktop UI), so linking the full sessionwatch package (timers, event
+// composition) would only bloat the binary.
+//
+// It still mirrors the deadline into the status recorder so the SubscribeStatus
+// / Status snapshot the UI consumes stays correct — only the timer-driven
+// warnings are dropped.
+type noopSessionWatcher struct {
+	recorder *peer.Status
+}
+
+func newSessionWatcher(recorder *peer.Status) sessionDeadlineWatcher {
+	return noopSessionWatcher{recorder: recorder}
+}
+
+// Update mirrors the real watcher's recorder propagation without the timers or
+// sanity-check sentinels: a valid deadline is exposed on the status snapshot,
+// the zero time clears it.
+func (w noopSessionWatcher) Update(deadline time.Time) error {
+	if w.recorder != nil {
+		w.recorder.SetSessionExpiresAt(deadline)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (noopSessionWatcher) Dismiss() {
+	// No-op: only suppresses the timer-driven final-warning, which this stub never arms.
+}
+
+func (noopSessionWatcher) Close() {
+	// No-op: no timers to stop and no state to unwind; the recorder is cleared via Update(zero).
+}

client/internal/engine_test.go

@@ -178,6 +178,10 @@ func (m *MockWGIface) LastActivities() map[string]monotime.Time {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (m *MockWGIface) MTU() uint16 {
+	return 1280
+}
+
 func (m *MockWGIface) SetPresharedKey(peerKey string, psk wgtypes.Key, updateOnly bool) error {
 	return nil
 }

client/internal/iface_common.go

@@ -44,4 +44,5 @@ type wgIfaceBase interface {
 	FullStats() (*configurer.Stats, error)
 	LastActivities() map[string]monotime.Time
 	SetPresharedKey(peerKey string, psk wgtypes.Key, updateOnly bool) error
+	MTU() uint16
 }

client/internal/lazyconn/activity/listener_bind.go

@@ -124,6 +124,11 @@ func (d *BindListener) ReadPackets() {
 	d.done.Done()
 }
 
+// CapturedPacket is unused in userspace bind mode: first-packet reinjection is kernel-only.
+func (d *BindListener) CapturedPacket() []byte {
+	return nil
+}
+
 // Close stops the listener and cleans up resources.
 func (d *BindListener) Close() {
 	d.peerCfg.Log.Infof("closing activity listener (LazyConn)")

client/internal/lazyconn/activity/listener_bind_test.go

@@ -45,10 +45,6 @@ type MockWGIfaceBind struct {
 	endpointMgr *mockEndpointManager
 }
 
-func (m *MockWGIfaceBind) RemovePeer(string) error {
-	return nil
-}
-
 func (m *MockWGIfaceBind) UpdatePeer(string, []netip.Prefix, time.Duration, *net.UDPAddr, *wgtypes.Key) error {
 	return nil
 }
@@ -68,6 +64,10 @@ func (m *MockWGIfaceBind) GetBind() device.EndpointManager {
 	return m.endpointMgr
 }
 
+func (m *MockWGIfaceBind) MTU() uint16 {
+	return 1280
+}
+
 func TestBindListener_Creation(t *testing.T) {
 	mockEndpointMgr := newMockEndpointManager()
 	mockIface := &MockWGIfaceBind{endpointMgr: mockEndpointMgr}
@@ -207,8 +207,9 @@ func TestManager_BindMode(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	select {
-	case peerConnID := <-mgr.OnActivityChan:
-		assert.Equal(t, cfg.PeerConnID, peerConnID, "Received peer connection ID should match")
+	case ev := <-mgr.OnActivityChan:
+		assert.Equal(t, cfg.PeerConnID, ev.PeerConnID, "Received peer connection ID should match")
+		assert.Nil(t, ev.FirstPacket, "Bind mode does not capture packets: reinjection is kernel-only")
 	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
 		t.Fatal("timeout waiting for activity notification")
 	}
@@ -266,8 +267,8 @@ func TestManager_BindMode_MultiplePeers(t *testing.T) {
 	receivedPeers := make(map[peerid.ConnID]bool)
 	for i := 0; i < 2; i++ {
 		select {
-		case peerConnID := <-mgr.OnActivityChan:
-			receivedPeers[peerConnID] = true
+		case ev := <-mgr.OnActivityChan:
+			receivedPeers[ev.PeerConnID] = true
 		case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
 			t.Fatal("timeout waiting for activity notifications")
 		}

client/internal/lazyconn/activity/listener_udp.go

@@ -3,11 +3,13 @@ package activity
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
+	"slices"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/bufsize"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/lazyconn"
 )
 
@@ -20,6 +22,8 @@ type UDPListener struct {
 	done     sync.Mutex
 
 	isClosed atomic.Bool
+
+	capturedPacket []byte
 }
 
 // NewUDPListener creates a listener that detects activity via UDP socket reads.
@@ -46,9 +50,13 @@ func NewUDPListener(wgIface WgInterface, cfg lazyconn.PeerConfig) (*UDPListener,
 }
 
 // ReadPackets blocks reading from the UDP socket until activity is detected or the listener is closed.
+// The first packet that triggers activity is captured so it can be reinjected through the real
+// transport once it is established. Without this, kernel WireGuard's handshake initiation would be
+// dropped and WG would only retry after REKEY_TIMEOUT.
 func (d *UDPListener) ReadPackets() {
 	for {
-		n, remoteAddr, err := d.conn.ReadFromUDP(make([]byte, 1))
+		buf := make([]byte, int(d.wgIface.MTU())+bufsize.WGBufferOverhead)
+		n, remoteAddr, err := d.conn.ReadFromUDP(buf)
 		if err != nil {
 			if d.isClosed.Load() {
 				d.peerCfg.Log.Infof("exit from activity listener")
@@ -62,20 +70,24 @@ func (d *UDPListener) ReadPackets() {
 			d.peerCfg.Log.Warnf("received %d bytes from %s, too short", n, remoteAddr)
 			continue
 		}
-		d.peerCfg.Log.Infof("activity detected")
+		d.capturedPacket = slices.Clone(buf[:n])
+		d.peerCfg.Log.Infof("activity detected, captured %d bytes for reinjection", n)
 		break
 	}
 
-	d.peerCfg.Log.Debugf("removing lazy endpoint: %s", d.endpoint.String())
-	if err := d.wgIface.RemovePeer(d.peerCfg.PublicKey); err != nil {
-		d.peerCfg.Log.Errorf("failed to remove endpoint: %s", err)
-	}
-
-	// Ignore close error as it may return "use of closed network connection" if already closed.
+	// Leave the peer in place. ConfigureWGEndpoint will UpdatePeer with the real endpoint;
+	// removing the peer here wipes kernel WG's staged queue and drops the user packet that
+	// triggered activation.
 	_ = d.conn.Close()
 	d.done.Unlock()
 }
 
+// CapturedPacket returns the first packet that triggered activity, or nil if none was captured.
+// Safe to call after ReadPackets returns.
+func (d *UDPListener) CapturedPacket() []byte {
+	return d.capturedPacket
+}
+
 // Close stops the listener and cleans up resources.
 func (d *UDPListener) Close() {
 	d.peerCfg.Log.Infof("closing activity listener: %s", d.conn.LocalAddr().String())

client/internal/lazyconn/activity/manager.go

@@ -19,17 +19,25 @@ import (
 type listener interface {
 	ReadPackets()
 	Close()
+	CapturedPacket() []byte
+}
+
+// Event reports activity on a managed peer. FirstPacket is the bytes that triggered activation,
+// captured for reinjection through the real transport.
+type Event struct {
+	PeerConnID  peerid.ConnID
+	FirstPacket []byte
 }
 
 type WgInterface interface {
-	RemovePeer(peerKey string) error
 	UpdatePeer(peerKey string, allowedIps []netip.Prefix, keepAlive time.Duration, endpoint *net.UDPAddr, preSharedKey *wgtypes.Key) error
 	IsUserspaceBind() bool
 	Address() wgaddr.Address
+	MTU() uint16
 }
 
 type Manager struct {
-	OnActivityChan chan peerid.ConnID
+	OnActivityChan chan Event
 
 	wgIface WgInterface
 
@@ -41,7 +49,7 @@ type Manager struct {
 
 func NewManager(wgIface WgInterface) *Manager {
 	m := &Manager{
-		OnActivityChan: make(chan peerid.ConnID, 1),
+		OnActivityChan: make(chan Event, 1),
 		wgIface:        wgIface,
 		peers:          make(map[peerid.ConnID]listener),
 		done:           make(chan struct{}),
@@ -116,12 +124,12 @@ func (m *Manager) waitForTraffic(l listener, peerConnID peerid.ConnID) {
 	delete(m.peers, peerConnID)
 	m.mu.Unlock()
 
-	m.notify(peerConnID)
+	m.notify(Event{PeerConnID: peerConnID, FirstPacket: l.CapturedPacket()})
 }
 
-func (m *Manager) notify(peerConnID peerid.ConnID) {
+func (m *Manager) notify(ev Event) {
 	select {
 	case <-m.done:
-	case m.OnActivityChan <- peerConnID:
+	case m.OnActivityChan <- ev:
 	}
 }

client/internal/lazyconn/activity/manager_test.go

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package activity
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
 	"testing"
@@ -25,10 +26,6 @@ func (m *MocPeer) ConnID() peerid.ConnID {
 type MocWGIface struct {
 }
 
-func (m MocWGIface) RemovePeer(string) error {
-	return nil
-}
-
 func (m MocWGIface) UpdatePeer(string, []netip.Prefix, time.Duration, *net.UDPAddr, *wgtypes.Key) error {
 	return nil
 }
@@ -44,6 +41,10 @@ func (m MocWGIface) Address() wgaddr.Address {
 	}
 }
 
+func (m MocWGIface) MTU() uint16 {
+	return 1280
+}
+
 // GetPeerListener is a test helper to access listeners
 func (m *Manager) GetPeerListener(peerConnID peerid.ConnID) (listener, bool) {
 	m.mu.Lock()
@@ -86,11 +87,15 @@ func TestManager_MonitorPeerActivity(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	select {
-	case peerConnID := <-mgr.OnActivityChan:
-		if peerConnID != peerCfg1.PeerConnID {
-			t.Fatalf("unexpected peerConnID: %v", peerConnID)
+	case ev := <-mgr.OnActivityChan:
+		if ev.PeerConnID != peerCfg1.PeerConnID {
+			t.Fatalf("unexpected peerConnID: %v", ev.PeerConnID)
+		}
+		if !bytes.Equal(ev.FirstPacket, []byte{0x01, 0x02, 0x03, 0x04, 0x05}) {
+			t.Fatalf("unexpected first packet: %v", ev.FirstPacket)
 		}
 	case <-time.After(1 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timed out waiting for activity")
 	}
 }
 

client/internal/lazyconn/env.go

@@ -3,24 +3,57 @@ package lazyconn
 import (
 	"os"
 	"strconv"
+	"strings"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
 const (
-	EnvEnableLazyConn      = "NB_ENABLE_EXPERIMENTAL_LAZY_CONN"
+	EnvLazyConn            = "NB_LAZY_CONN"
 	EnvInactivityThreshold = "NB_LAZY_CONN_INACTIVITY_THRESHOLD"
 )
 
-func IsLazyConnEnabledByEnv() bool {
-	val := os.Getenv(EnvEnableLazyConn)
-	if val == "" {
-		return false
-	}
-	enabled, err := strconv.ParseBool(val)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("failed to parse %s: %v", EnvEnableLazyConn, err)
-		return false
-	}
-	return enabled
+// State is the tri-state local override for lazy connections read from the environment.
+type State int
+
+const (
+	// StateUnset means no local override; defer to the management feature flag.
+	StateUnset State = iota
+	// StateOn forces lazy connections on, overriding management.
+	StateOn
+	// StateOff forces lazy connections off, overriding management.
+	StateOff
+)
+
+// EnvState reads NB_LAZY_CONN and returns the local override state.
+func EnvState() State {
+	return ParseState(os.Getenv(EnvLazyConn))
+}
+
+// ParseState interprets a lazy-connection override value (from the environment or an MDM
+// policy). It accepts the on/off aliases plus any value strconv.ParseBool understands
+// (true/false/1/0). An empty or unrecognized value returns StateUnset so that the
+// management feature flag remains in control.
+func ParseState(raw string) State {
+	if raw == "" {
+		return StateUnset
+	}
+
+	normalized := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(raw))
+	switch normalized {
+	case "on":
+		return StateOn
+	case "off":
+		return StateOff
+	}
+
+	enabled, err := strconv.ParseBool(normalized)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to parse lazy connection value %q (from %s env or MDM policy): %v", raw, EnvLazyConn, err)
+		return StateUnset
+	}
+	if enabled {
+		return StateOn
+	}
+	return StateOff
 }

client/internal/lazyconn/env_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+package lazyconn
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestEnvState(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		value string
+		set   bool
+		want  State
+	}{
+		{set: false, want: StateUnset},
+		{value: "", set: true, want: StateUnset},
+		{value: "on", set: true, want: StateOn},
+		{value: "ON", set: true, want: StateOn},
+		{value: "true", set: true, want: StateOn},
+		{value: "1", set: true, want: StateOn},
+		{value: " on ", set: true, want: StateOn},
+		{value: "off", set: true, want: StateOff},
+		{value: "OFF", set: true, want: StateOff},
+		{value: "false", set: true, want: StateOff},
+		{value: "0", set: true, want: StateOff},
+		{value: "auto", set: true, want: StateUnset},
+		{value: "garbage", set: true, want: StateUnset},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		name := tt.value
+		if !tt.set {
+			name = "unset"
+		}
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Setenv(EnvLazyConn, tt.value)
+			if !tt.set {
+				os.Unsetenv(EnvLazyConn)
+			}
+
+			if got := EnvState(); got != tt.want {
+				t.Fatalf("EnvState() = %v, want %v", got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

client/internal/lazyconn/manager/manager.go

@@ -130,8 +130,8 @@ func (m *Manager) Start(ctx context.Context) {
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			return
-		case peerConnID := <-m.activityManager.OnActivityChan:
-			m.onPeerActivity(peerConnID)
+		case ev := <-m.activityManager.OnActivityChan:
+			m.onPeerActivity(ev)
 		case peerIDs := <-m.inactivityManager.InactivePeersChan():
 			m.onPeerInactivityTimedOut(peerIDs)
 		}
@@ -513,13 +513,13 @@ func (m *Manager) checkHaGroupActivity(haGroup route.HAUniqueID, peerID string,
 	return false
 }
 
-func (m *Manager) onPeerActivity(peerConnID peerid.ConnID) {
+func (m *Manager) onPeerActivity(ev activity.Event) {
 	m.managedPeersMu.Lock()
 	defer m.managedPeersMu.Unlock()
 
-	mp, ok := m.managedPeersByConnID[peerConnID]
+	mp, ok := m.managedPeersByConnID[ev.PeerConnID]
 	if !ok {
-		log.Errorf("peer not found by conn id: %v", peerConnID)
+		log.Errorf("peer not found by conn id: %v", ev.PeerConnID)
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ func (m *Manager) onPeerActivity(peerConnID peerid.ConnID) {
 
 	m.activateHAGroupPeers(mp.peerCfg)
 
-	m.peerStore.PeerConnOpen(m.engineCtx, mp.peerCfg.PublicKey)
+	m.peerStore.PeerConnOpenWithFirstPacket(m.engineCtx, mp.peerCfg.PublicKey, ev.FirstPacket)
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) onPeerInactivityTimedOut(peerIDs map[string]struct{}) {

client/internal/lazyconn/wgiface.go

@@ -17,4 +17,5 @@ type WGIface interface {
 	IsUserspaceBind() bool
 	Address() wgaddr.Address
 	LastActivities() map[string]monotime.Time
+	MTU() uint16
 }

client/internal/metrics/env.go

@@ -60,6 +60,13 @@ func getMetricsInterval() time.Duration {
 	return interval
 }
 
+// isMetricsPushEnvSet returns true if NB_METRICS_PUSH_ENABLED is explicitly set (to any value).
+// When set, the env var takes full precedence over management server configuration.
+func isMetricsPushEnvSet() bool {
+	_, set := os.LookupEnv(EnvMetricsPushEnabled)
+	return set
+}
+
 func isForceSending() bool {
 	force, _ := strconv.ParseBool(os.Getenv(EnvMetricsForceSending))
 	return force

client/internal/metrics/influxdb.go

@@ -120,6 +120,30 @@ func (m *influxDBMetrics) RecordSyncDuration(_ context.Context, agentInfo AgentI
 	m.trimLocked()
 }
 
+func (m *influxDBMetrics) RecordSyncPhase(_ context.Context, agentInfo AgentInfo, phase string, duration time.Duration) {
+	tags := fmt.Sprintf("deployment_type=%s,version=%s,os=%s,arch=%s,peer_id=%s,phase=%s",
+		agentInfo.DeploymentType.String(),
+		agentInfo.Version,
+		agentInfo.OS,
+		agentInfo.Arch,
+		agentInfo.peerID,
+		phase,
+	)
+
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+
+	m.samples = append(m.samples, influxSample{
+		measurement: "netbird_sync_phase",
+		tags:        tags,
+		fields: map[string]float64{
+			"duration_seconds": duration.Seconds(),
+		},
+		timestamp: time.Now(),
+	})
+	m.trimLocked()
+}
+
 func (m *influxDBMetrics) RecordLoginDuration(_ context.Context, agentInfo AgentInfo, duration time.Duration, success bool) {
 	result := "success"
 	if !success {

client/internal/metrics/infra/README.md

@@ -78,6 +78,25 @@ Tags:
 - `os`: Operating system (linux, darwin, windows, android, ios, etc.)
 - `arch`: CPU architecture (amd64, arm64, etc.)
 
+### Sync Phase Timing
+
+Measurement: `netbird_sync_phase`
+
+Breaks down where time goes inside a single sync, so the total `netbird_sync` duration can be attributed to the sub-step that dominates.
+
+| Field | Description |
+|-------|-------------|
+| `duration_seconds` | Time spent in one sub-phase of sync processing |
+
+Tags:
+- `phase`: the sub-phase — `netbird_config`, `checks`, `persist`, `dns_server`, `routes_classify`, `routes_apply`, `filtering`, `dns_forwarder`, `forward_rules`, `offline_peers`, `removed_peers`, `modified_peers`, `added_peers`, `lazy_exclude`
+- `deployment_type`: "cloud" | "selfhosted" | "unknown"
+- `version`: NetBird version string
+- `os`: Operating system (linux, darwin, windows, android, ios, etc.)
+- `arch`: CPU architecture (amd64, arm64, etc.)
+
+**Note:** this is wall-time per phase — it includes both CPU work and time spent waiting on locks. A slow phase points to *where* the time goes, not *why*; pair it with lock-wait metrics to tell contention apart from real work.
+
 ### Login Duration
 
 Measurement: `netbird_login`
@@ -191,4 +210,52 @@ docker compose exec influxdb influx query \
 
 # Check ingest server health
 curl http://localhost:8087/health
-```
+```
+
+## Analyzing a Debug Bundle
+
+Metrics collection is always on, so every debug bundle ships a `metrics.txt` in InfluxDB line protocol — a timestamped time series of all recorded events (sync durations, sync phases, connection stages, login). You can replay it into the local stack and graph it, without a running client.
+
+The bundle's `metrics.txt` is a rolling window (capped at 5 days / ~20k samples, see [Buffer Limits](#buffer-limits)). For a connection incident the relevant window is short (connection setup is seconds), so a bundle captured during the issue is enough.
+
+### 1. Start the stack
+
+```bash
+# From this directory (client/internal/metrics/infra)
+INFLUXDB_ADMIN_TOKEN=admin123 INFLUXDB_ADMIN_PASSWORD=admin123 GRAFANA_ADMIN_PASSWORD=admin123 \
+  docker compose up -d
+```
+
+(`admin123` are throwaway local credentials — fine for offline analysis.)
+
+### 2. Clear any previous data
+
+So you only see this bundle:
+
+```bash
+docker exec influxdb influx delete --org netbird --bucket metrics --token admin123 \
+  --start 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z --stop 2100-01-01T00:00:00Z
+```
+
+### 3. Import the bundle's metrics.txt
+
+InfluxDB is not exposed on the host, so import inside the container:
+
+```bash
+docker cp /path/to/bundle/metrics.txt influxdb:/tmp/m.txt
+docker exec influxdb influx write --org netbird --bucket metrics --precision ns \
+  --token admin123 --file /tmp/m.txt
+```
+
+Re-importing the same file is idempotent (same measurement+tags+timestamp overwrites).
+
+### 4. View the dashboards
+
+Grafana on http://localhost:3001 (login `admin` / `admin123`), datasource pre-provisioned:
+
+- **Where sync time goes:** http://localhost:3001/d/netbird-sync-phases/netbird-sync-phases-where-time-goes
+- **General client metrics:** http://localhost:3001/d/netbird-influxdb-metrics
+
+**Set the time range** to cover the bundle's timestamps (e.g. "Last 7 days" or an absolute range matching when the bundle was taken) — with the default short range the panels look empty.
+
+Bundles are distinguishable by the `version` tag; add a tag at import time (e.g. `sed 's/^netbird_\([a-z_]*\),/netbird_\1,bundle=mycase,/' metrics.txt`) if you want to compare several side by side.

client/internal/metrics/infra/grafana/provisioning/dashboards/json/netbird-sync-phases.json

@@ -0,0 +1,259 @@
+{
+  "annotations": {
+    "list": []
+  },
+  "editable": true,
+  "fiscalYearStartMonth": 0,
+  "graphTooltip": 1,
+  "links": [],
+  "refresh": "",
+  "schemaVersion": 39,
+  "tags": [
+    "netbird",
+    "sync"
+  ],
+  "templating": {
+    "list": [
+      {
+        "current": {
+          "text": "All",
+          "value": "$__all"
+        },
+        "datasource": {
+          "type": "influxdb",
+          "uid": "influxdb"
+        },
+        "definition": "import \"influxdata/influxdb/schema\"\nschema.tagValues(bucket: \"metrics\", tag: \"version\")",
+        "includeAll": true,
+        "label": "version",
+        "multi": true,
+        "name": "version",
+        "query": "import \"influxdata/influxdb/schema\"\nschema.tagValues(bucket: \"metrics\", tag: \"version\")",
+        "refresh": 2,
+        "type": "query",
+        "allValue": ".*"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "time": {
+    "from": "now-2d",
+    "to": "now"
+  },
+  "timepicker": {},
+  "timezone": "",
+  "title": "NetBird Sync Phases (where time goes)",
+  "uid": "netbird-sync-phases",
+  "version": 1,
+  "panels": [
+    {
+      "id": 1,
+      "title": "Time per phase over time (stacked, ms)",
+      "type": "timeseries",
+      "datasource": {
+        "type": "influxdb",
+        "uid": "influxdb"
+      },
+      "gridPos": {
+        "h": 10,
+        "w": 24,
+        "x": 0,
+        "y": 0
+      },
+      "fieldConfig": {
+        "defaults": {
+          "unit": "ms",
+          "custom": {
+            "drawStyle": "bars",
+            "stacking": {
+              "mode": "normal",
+              "group": "A"
+            },
+            "fillOpacity": 80,
+            "lineWidth": 0
+          }
+        },
+        "overrides": []
+      },
+      "options": {
+        "legend": {
+          "displayMode": "table",
+          "placement": "right",
+          "calcs": [
+            "max",
+            "mean"
+          ]
+        },
+        "tooltip": {
+          "mode": "multi",
+          "sort": "desc"
+        }
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "refId": "A",
+          "datasource": {
+            "type": "influxdb",
+            "uid": "influxdb"
+          },
+          "query": "from(bucket: \"metrics\")\n  |> range(start: v.timeRangeStart, stop: v.timeRangeStop)\n  |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == \"netbird_sync_phase\" and r._field == \"duration_seconds\")\n  |> filter(fn: (r) => r.version =~ /${version:regex}/)\n  |> map(fn: (r) => ({ r with _value: r._value * 1000.0 }))\n  |> keep(columns: [\"_time\", \"_value\", \"phase\"])\n  |> group(columns: [\"phase\"])"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 2,
+      "title": "p95 per phase (ms)",
+      "type": "bargauge",
+      "datasource": {
+        "type": "influxdb",
+        "uid": "influxdb"
+      },
+      "gridPos": {
+        "h": 11,
+        "w": 12,
+        "x": 0,
+        "y": 10
+      },
+      "fieldConfig": {
+        "defaults": {
+          "unit": "ms",
+          "color": {
+            "mode": "continuous-GrYlRd"
+          }
+        },
+        "overrides": []
+      },
+      "options": {
+        "displayMode": "gradient",
+        "orientation": "horizontal",
+        "reduceOptions": {
+          "calcs": [
+            "lastNotNull"
+          ],
+          "fields": "",
+          "values": false
+        },
+        "showUnfilled": true
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "refId": "A",
+          "datasource": {
+            "type": "influxdb",
+            "uid": "influxdb"
+          },
+          "query": "from(bucket: \"metrics\")\n  |> range(start: v.timeRangeStart, stop: v.timeRangeStop)\n  |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == \"netbird_sync_phase\" and r._field == \"duration_seconds\")\n  |> filter(fn: (r) => r.version =~ /${version:regex}/)\n  |> map(fn: (r) => ({ r with _value: r._value * 1000.0 }))\n  |> group(columns: [\"phase\"])\n  |> quantile(q: 0.95)\n  |> group()\n  |> sort(columns: [\"_value\"], desc: true)"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 3,
+      "title": "Per-phase stats (ms): mean / p95 / max",
+      "type": "table",
+      "datasource": {
+        "type": "influxdb",
+        "uid": "influxdb"
+      },
+      "gridPos": {
+        "h": 11,
+        "w": 12,
+        "x": 12,
+        "y": 10
+      },
+      "fieldConfig": {
+        "defaults": {
+          "unit": "ms"
+        },
+        "overrides": []
+      },
+      "options": {
+        "showHeader": true,
+        "sortBy": [
+          {
+            "displayName": "max",
+            "desc": true
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      "transformations": [
+        {
+          "id": "merge",
+          "options": {}
+        }
+      ],
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "refId": "mean",
+          "datasource": {
+            "type": "influxdb",
+            "uid": "influxdb"
+          },
+          "query": "from(bucket: \"metrics\")\n  |> range(start: v.timeRangeStart, stop: v.timeRangeStop)\n  |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == \"netbird_sync_phase\" and r._field == \"duration_seconds\")\n  |> filter(fn: (r) => r.version =~ /${version:regex}/)\n  |> map(fn: (r) => ({ r with _value: r._value * 1000.0 }))\n  |> group(columns: [\"phase\"])\n  |> mean()\n  |> group()\n  |> keep(columns: [\"phase\", \"_value\"])\n  |> rename(columns: {_value: \"mean\"})"
+        },
+        {
+          "refId": "p95",
+          "datasource": {
+            "type": "influxdb",
+            "uid": "influxdb"
+          },
+          "query": "from(bucket: \"metrics\")\n  |> range(start: v.timeRangeStart, stop: v.timeRangeStop)\n  |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == \"netbird_sync_phase\" and r._field == \"duration_seconds\")\n  |> filter(fn: (r) => r.version =~ /${version:regex}/)\n  |> map(fn: (r) => ({ r with _value: r._value * 1000.0 }))\n  |> group(columns: [\"phase\"])\n  |> quantile(q: 0.95)\n  |> group()\n  |> keep(columns: [\"phase\", \"_value\"])\n  |> rename(columns: {_value: \"p95\"})"
+        },
+        {
+          "refId": "max",
+          "datasource": {
+            "type": "influxdb",
+            "uid": "influxdb"
+          },
+          "query": "from(bucket: \"metrics\")\n  |> range(start: v.timeRangeStart, stop: v.timeRangeStop)\n  |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == \"netbird_sync_phase\" and r._field == \"duration_seconds\")\n  |> filter(fn: (r) => r.version =~ /${version:regex}/)\n  |> map(fn: (r) => ({ r with _value: r._value * 1000.0 }))\n  |> group(columns: [\"phase\"])\n  |> max()\n  |> group()\n  |> keep(columns: [\"phase\", \"_value\"])\n  |> rename(columns: {_value: \"max\"})"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 4,
+      "title": "Total sync duration (netbird_sync, ms) \u2014 reference",
+      "type": "timeseries",
+      "datasource": {
+        "type": "influxdb",
+        "uid": "influxdb"
+      },
+      "gridPos": {
+        "h": 8,
+        "w": 24,
+        "x": 0,
+        "y": 21
+      },
+      "fieldConfig": {
+        "defaults": {
+          "unit": "ms",
+          "custom": {
+            "drawStyle": "points",
+            "pointSize": 5
+          }
+        },
+        "overrides": []
+      },
+      "options": {
+        "legend": {
+          "displayMode": "table",
+          "placement": "right",
+          "calcs": [
+            "max",
+            "mean"
+          ]
+        },
+        "tooltip": {
+          "mode": "single"
+        }
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "refId": "A",
+          "datasource": {
+            "type": "influxdb",
+            "uid": "influxdb"
+          },
+          "query": "from(bucket: \"metrics\")\n  |> range(start: v.timeRangeStart, stop: v.timeRangeStop)\n  |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == \"netbird_sync\" and r._field == \"duration_seconds\")\n  |> filter(fn: (r) => r.version =~ /${version:regex}/)\n  |> map(fn: (r) => ({ r with _value: r._value * 1000.0 }))\n  |> keep(columns: [\"_time\", \"_value\", \"version\"])\n  |> group(columns: [\"version\"])"
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  ]
+}

client/internal/metrics/infra/ingest/main.go

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ const (
 	defaultListenAddr  = ":8087"
 	defaultInfluxDBURL = "http://influxdb:8086/api/v2/write?org=netbird&bucket=metrics&precision=ns"
 	maxBodySize        = 50 * 1024 * 1024 // 50 MB max request body
-	maxDurationSeconds = 300.0            // reject any duration field > 5 minutes
+	maxDurationSeconds = 86400.0          // reject any duration field > 24 hours
 	peerIDLength       = 16               // truncated SHA-256: 8 bytes = 16 hex chars
 	maxTagValueLength  = 64               // reject tag values longer than this
 )
@@ -59,6 +59,19 @@ var allowedMeasurements = map[string]measurementSpec{
 			"peer_id":         true,
 		},
 	},
+	"netbird_sync_phase": {
+		allowedFields: map[string]bool{
+			"duration_seconds": true,
+		},
+		allowedTags: map[string]bool{
+			"deployment_type": true,
+			"version":         true,
+			"os":              true,
+			"arch":            true,
+			"peer_id":         true,
+			"phase":           true,
+		},
+	},
 	"netbird_login": {
 		allowedFields: map[string]bool{
 			"duration_seconds": true,

client/internal/metrics/infra/ingest/main_test.go

@@ -53,14 +53,14 @@ func TestValidateLine_NegativeValue(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestValidateLine_DurationTooLarge(t *testing.T) {
-	line := `netbird_sync,deployment_type=cloud,version=1.0.0,os=linux,arch=amd64,peer_id=abc duration_seconds=999 1234567890`
+	line := `netbird_sync,deployment_type=cloud,version=1.0.0,os=linux,arch=amd64,peer_id=abc duration_seconds=100000 1234567890`
 	err := validateLine(line)
 	require.Error(t, err)
 	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "too large")
 }
 
 func TestValidateLine_TotalSecondsTooLarge(t *testing.T) {
-	line := `netbird_peer_connection,deployment_type=cloud,connection_type=ice,attempt_type=initial,version=1.0.0,os=linux,arch=amd64,peer_id=abc,connection_pair_id=pair total_seconds=500 1234567890`
+	line := `netbird_peer_connection,deployment_type=cloud,connection_type=ice,attempt_type=initial,version=1.0.0,os=linux,arch=amd64,peer_id=abc,connection_pair_id=pair total_seconds=100000 1234567890`
 	err := validateLine(line)
 	require.Error(t, err)
 	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "too large")

client/internal/metrics/metrics.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
@@ -56,6 +57,9 @@ type metricsImplementation interface {
 	// RecordSyncDuration records how long it took to process a sync message
 	RecordSyncDuration(ctx context.Context, agentInfo AgentInfo, duration time.Duration)
 
+	// RecordSyncPhase records how long a single sub-phase of sync processing took
+	RecordSyncPhase(ctx context.Context, agentInfo AgentInfo, phase string, duration time.Duration)
+
 	// RecordLoginDuration records how long the login to management took
 	RecordLoginDuration(ctx context.Context, agentInfo AgentInfo, duration time.Duration, success bool)
 
@@ -72,7 +76,7 @@ type ClientMetrics struct {
 	agentInfo AgentInfo
 	mu        sync.RWMutex
 
-	push       *Push
+	push       atomic.Pointer[Push]
 	pushMu     sync.Mutex
 	wg         sync.WaitGroup
 	pushCancel context.CancelFunc
@@ -127,6 +131,18 @@ func (c *ClientMetrics) RecordSyncDuration(ctx context.Context, duration time.Du
 	c.impl.RecordSyncDuration(ctx, agentInfo, duration)
 }
 
+// RecordSyncPhase records the duration of a single sub-phase of sync processing
+func (c *ClientMetrics) RecordSyncPhase(ctx context.Context, phase string, duration time.Duration) {
+	if c == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	c.mu.RLock()
+	agentInfo := c.agentInfo
+	c.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	c.impl.RecordSyncPhase(ctx, agentInfo, phase, duration)
+}
+
 // RecordLoginDuration records how long the login to management server took
 func (c *ClientMetrics) RecordLoginDuration(ctx context.Context, duration time.Duration, success bool) {
 	if c == nil {
@@ -152,10 +168,7 @@ func (c *ClientMetrics) UpdateAgentInfo(agentInfo AgentInfo, publicKey string) {
 	c.agentInfo = agentInfo
 	c.mu.Unlock()
 
-	c.pushMu.Lock()
-	push := c.push
-	c.pushMu.Unlock()
-	if push != nil {
+	if push := c.push.Load(); push != nil {
 		push.SetPeerID(agentInfo.peerID)
 	}
 }
@@ -169,7 +182,7 @@ func (c *ClientMetrics) Export(w io.Writer) error {
 	return c.impl.Export(w)
 }
 
-// StartPush starts periodic pushing of metrics with the given configuration
+// StartPush starts periodic pushing of metrics with the given configuration.
 // Precedence: PushConfig.ServerAddress > remote config server_url
 func (c *ClientMetrics) StartPush(ctx context.Context, config PushConfig) {
 	if c == nil {
@@ -179,11 +192,58 @@ func (c *ClientMetrics) StartPush(ctx context.Context, config PushConfig) {
 	c.pushMu.Lock()
 	defer c.pushMu.Unlock()
 
-	if c.push != nil {
+	if c.push.Load() != nil {
 		log.Warnf("metrics push already running")
 		return
 	}
 
+	c.startPushLocked(ctx, config)
+}
+
+// StopPush stops the periodic metrics push.
+func (c *ClientMetrics) StopPush() {
+	if c == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	c.pushMu.Lock()
+	defer c.pushMu.Unlock()
+
+	c.stopPushLocked()
+}
+
+// UpdatePushFromMgm updates metrics push based on management server configuration.
+// If NB_METRICS_PUSH_ENABLED is explicitly set (true or false), management config is ignored.
+// When unset, management controls whether push is enabled.
+func (c *ClientMetrics) UpdatePushFromMgm(ctx context.Context, enabled bool) {
+	if c == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	if isMetricsPushEnvSet() {
+		log.Debugf("ignoring management config, env var is explicitly set: %s", EnvMetricsPushEnabled)
+		return
+	}
+
+	c.pushMu.Lock()
+	defer c.pushMu.Unlock()
+
+	if enabled {
+		if c.push.Load() != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		log.Infof("enabled metrics push by management")
+		c.startPushLocked(ctx, PushConfigFromEnv())
+	} else {
+		if c.push.Load() == nil {
+			return
+		}
+		log.Infof("disabled metrics push by management")
+		c.stopPushLocked()
+	}
+}
+
+// startPushLocked starts push. Caller must hold pushMu.
+func (c *ClientMetrics) startPushLocked(ctx context.Context, config PushConfig) {
 	c.mu.RLock()
 	agentVersion := c.agentInfo.Version
 	peerID := c.agentInfo.peerID
@@ -199,26 +259,23 @@ func (c *ClientMetrics) StartPush(ctx context.Context, config PushConfig) {
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
 	c.pushCancel = cancel
+	c.push.Store(push)
 
 	c.wg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		defer c.wg.Done()
 		push.Start(ctx)
+		c.push.CompareAndSwap(push, nil)
 	}()
-	c.push = push
 }
 
-func (c *ClientMetrics) StopPush() {
-	if c == nil {
-		return
-	}
-	c.pushMu.Lock()
-	defer c.pushMu.Unlock()
-	if c.push == nil {
+// stopPushLocked stops push. Caller must hold pushMu.
+func (c *ClientMetrics) stopPushLocked() {
+	if c.push.Load() == nil {
 		return
 	}
 
 	c.pushCancel()
 	c.wg.Wait()
-	c.push = nil
+	c.push.Store(nil)
 }

client/internal/metrics/push_test.go

@@ -70,6 +70,9 @@ func (m *mockMetrics) RecordConnectionStages(_ context.Context, _ AgentInfo, _ s
 func (m *mockMetrics) RecordSyncDuration(_ context.Context, _ AgentInfo, _ time.Duration) {
 }
 
+func (m *mockMetrics) RecordSyncPhase(_ context.Context, _ AgentInfo, _ string, _ time.Duration) {
+}
+
 func (m *mockMetrics) RecordLoginDuration(_ context.Context, _ AgentInfo, _ time.Duration, _ bool) {
 }
 

client/internal/netflow/logger/logger.go

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ type Logger struct {
 	wgIfaceNetV6       netip.Prefix
 	dnsCollection      atomic.Bool
 	exitNodeCollection atomic.Bool
-	Store              types.Store
+	Store              types.AggregatingStore
 }
 
 func New(statusRecorder *peer.Status, wgIfaceIPNet, wgIfaceIPNetV6 netip.Prefix) *Logger {
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func New(statusRecorder *peer.Status, wgIfaceIPNet, wgIfaceIPNetV6 netip.Prefix)
 		statusRecorder: statusRecorder,
 		wgIfaceNet:     wgIfaceIPNet,
 		wgIfaceNetV6:   wgIfaceIPNetV6,
-		Store:          store.NewMemoryStore(),
+		Store:          store.NewAggregatingMemoryStore(),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -125,6 +125,10 @@ func (l *Logger) stop() {
 	l.mux.Unlock()
 }
 
+func (l *Logger) ResetAggregationWindow() types.FlowEventAggregator {
+	return l.Store.ResetAggregationWindow()
+}
+
 func (l *Logger) GetEvents() []*types.Event {
 	return l.Store.GetEvents()
 }

client/internal/netflow/manager.go

@@ -9,12 +9,14 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/cenkalti/backoff/v4"
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"google.golang.org/protobuf/types/known/timestamppb"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/conntrack"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/logger"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/store"
 	nftypes "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/types"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/flow/client"
@@ -23,14 +25,16 @@ import (
 
 // Manager handles netflow tracking and logging
 type Manager struct {
-	mux            sync.Mutex
-	shutdownWg     sync.WaitGroup
-	logger         nftypes.FlowLogger
-	flowConfig     *nftypes.FlowConfig
-	conntrack      nftypes.ConnTracker
-	receiverClient *client.GRPCClient
-	publicKey      []byte
-	cancel         context.CancelFunc
+	mux               sync.Mutex
+	shutdownWg        sync.WaitGroup
+	logger            nftypes.FlowLogger
+	flowConfig        *nftypes.FlowConfig
+	conntrack         nftypes.ConnTracker
+	receiverClient    *client.GRPCClient
+	eventsWithoutAcks nftypes.Store
+	publicKey         []byte
+	cancel            context.CancelFunc
+	retryInterval     time.Duration
 }
 
 // NewManager creates a new netflow manager
@@ -48,9 +52,11 @@ func NewManager(iface nftypes.IFaceMapper, publicKey []byte, statusRecorder *pee
 	}
 
 	return &Manager{
-		logger:    flowLogger,
-		conntrack: ct,
-		publicKey: publicKey,
+		logger:            flowLogger,
+		conntrack:         ct,
+		publicKey:         publicKey,
+		retryInterval:     time.Second,
+		eventsWithoutAcks: store.NewMemoryStore(),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -66,6 +72,7 @@ func (m *Manager) needsNewClient(previous *nftypes.FlowConfig) bool {
 }
 
 // enableFlow starts components for flow tracking
+// must be called under m.mux lock
 func (m *Manager) enableFlow(previous *nftypes.FlowConfig) error {
 	// first make sender ready so events don't pile up
 	if m.needsNewClient(previous) {
@@ -85,6 +92,7 @@ func (m *Manager) enableFlow(previous *nftypes.FlowConfig) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// must be called under m.mux lock
 func (m *Manager) resetClient() error {
 	if m.receiverClient != nil {
 		if err := m.receiverClient.Close(); err != nil {
@@ -107,14 +115,19 @@ func (m *Manager) resetClient() error {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	m.cancel = cancel
 
-	m.shutdownWg.Add(2)
+	m.shutdownWg.Add(3)
+	flowConfigInterval := m.flowConfig.Interval
 	go func() {
 		defer m.shutdownWg.Done()
-		m.receiveACKs(ctx, flowClient)
+		m.receiveACKs(ctx, flowClient, flowConfigInterval)
 	}()
 	go func() {
 		defer m.shutdownWg.Done()
-		m.startSender(ctx)
+		m.startSender(ctx, flowConfigInterval)
+	}()
+	go func() {
+		defer m.shutdownWg.Done()
+		m.startRetries(ctx, flowConfigInterval)
 	}()
 
 	return nil
@@ -198,8 +211,8 @@ func (m *Manager) GetLogger() nftypes.FlowLogger {
 	return m.logger
 }
 
-func (m *Manager) startSender(ctx context.Context) {
-	ticker := time.NewTicker(m.flowConfig.Interval)
+func (m *Manager) startSender(ctx context.Context, flowConfigInterval time.Duration) {
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(flowConfigInterval)
 	defer ticker.Stop()
 
 	for {
@@ -207,27 +220,29 @@ func (m *Manager) startSender(ctx context.Context) {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			return
 		case <-ticker.C:
-			events := m.logger.GetEvents()
+			collectedEvents := m.logger.ResetAggregationWindow()
+			events := collectedEvents.GetAggregatedEvents()
 			for _, event := range events {
+				m.eventsWithoutAcks.StoreEvent(event)
 				if err := m.send(event); err != nil {
 					log.Errorf("failed to send flow event to server: %v", err)
-					continue
+				} else {
+					log.Tracef("sent flow event: %s", event.ID)
 				}
-				log.Tracef("sent flow event: %s", event.ID)
 			}
 		}
 	}
 }
 
-func (m *Manager) receiveACKs(ctx context.Context, client *client.GRPCClient) {
-	err := client.Receive(ctx, m.flowConfig.Interval, func(ack *proto.FlowEventAck) error {
+func (m *Manager) receiveACKs(ctx context.Context, client *client.GRPCClient, flowConfigInterval time.Duration) {
+	err := client.Receive(ctx, flowConfigInterval, func(ack *proto.FlowEventAck) error {
 		id, err := uuid.FromBytes(ack.EventId)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Warnf("failed to convert ack event id to uuid: %v", err)
 			return nil
 		}
 		log.Tracef("received flow event ack: %s", id)
-		m.logger.DeleteEvents([]uuid.UUID{id})
+		m.eventsWithoutAcks.DeleteEvents([]uuid.UUID{id})
 		return nil
 	})
 
@@ -236,6 +251,51 @@ func (m *Manager) receiveACKs(ctx context.Context, client *client.GRPCClient) {
 	}
 }
 
+// We effectively never drop events (see MaxInterval), which makes eventsWithoutAcks unbounded.
+// We may want to limit the max size of the store, and start dropping oldest events when the threshold is reached.
+func (m *Manager) startRetries(ctx context.Context, flowConfigInterval time.Duration) {
+	timer := time.NewTimer(m.retryInterval)
+	retryBackoff := backoff.WithContext(&backoff.ExponentialBackOff{
+		InitialInterval:     1 * time.Second,
+		RandomizationFactor: 0.5,
+		Multiplier:          1.7,
+		MaxInterval:         flowConfigInterval / 2,
+		MaxElapsedTime:      3 * 30 * 24 * time.Hour, // 3 months
+		Stop:                backoff.Stop,
+		Clock:               backoff.SystemClock,
+	}, ctx)
+	defer timer.Stop()
+
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-timer.C:
+			resetBackoff := true
+			for _, e := range m.eventsWithoutAcks.GetEvents() {
+				if e.Timestamp.Add(time.Second).After(time.Now()) {
+					// grace period on retries to avoid early retries
+					// do not retry if the event is less than 1 sec old
+					continue
+				}
+				if err := m.send(e); err != nil {
+					if nextBackoff := retryBackoff.NextBackOff(); nextBackoff != backoff.Stop {
+						timer = time.NewTimer(nextBackoff)
+						resetBackoff = false
+					} else {
+						resetBackoff = true // we exhausted retries, reset retry loop
+					}
+					break
+				}
+			}
+			if resetBackoff { // use regular retry interval in absence of network errors
+				retryBackoff.Reset()
+				timer = time.NewTimer(m.retryInterval)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func (m *Manager) send(event *nftypes.Event) error {
 	m.mux.Lock()
 	client := m.receiverClient
@@ -250,9 +310,11 @@ func (m *Manager) send(event *nftypes.Event) error {
 
 func toProtoEvent(publicKey []byte, event *nftypes.Event) *proto.FlowEvent {
 	protoEvent := &proto.FlowEvent{
-		EventId:   event.ID[:],
-		Timestamp: timestamppb.New(event.Timestamp),
-		PublicKey: publicKey,
+		EventId:     event.ID[:],
+		Timestamp:   timestamppb.New(event.Timestamp),
+		PublicKey:   publicKey,
+		WindowStart: timestamppb.New(event.WindowStart),
+		WindowEnd:   timestamppb.New(event.WindowEnd),
 		FlowFields: &proto.FlowFields{
 			FlowId:           event.FlowID[:],
 			RuleId:           event.RuleID,
@@ -267,6 +329,9 @@ func toProtoEvent(publicKey []byte, event *nftypes.Event) *proto.FlowEvent {
 			TxBytes:          event.TxBytes,
 			SourceResourceId: event.SourceResourceID,
 			DestResourceId:   event.DestResourceID,
+			NumOfStarts:      event.NumOfStarts,
+			NumOfEnds:        event.NumOfEnds,
+			NumOfDrops:       event.NumOfDrops,
 		},
 	}
 

client/internal/netflow/manager_integration_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,291 @@
+package netflow
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"net/netip"
+	"slices"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/types"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/flow/proto"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"google.golang.org/grpc"
+)
+
+type testServer struct {
+	proto.UnimplementedFlowServiceServer
+	events         chan *proto.FlowEvent
+	acks           chan *proto.FlowEventAck
+	grpcSrv        *grpc.Server
+	addr           string
+	handlerDone    chan struct{} // signaled each time Events() exits
+	handlerStarted chan struct{} // signaled each time Events() begins
+}
+
+func newTestServer(t *testing.T) *testServer {
+	listener, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	s := &testServer{
+		events:         make(chan *proto.FlowEvent, 100),
+		acks:           make(chan *proto.FlowEventAck, 100),
+		grpcSrv:        grpc.NewServer(),
+		addr:           listener.Addr().String(),
+		handlerDone:    make(chan struct{}, 10),
+		handlerStarted: make(chan struct{}, 10),
+	}
+
+	proto.RegisterFlowServiceServer(s.grpcSrv, s)
+
+	go func() {
+		if err := s.grpcSrv.Serve(listener); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, grpc.ErrServerStopped) {
+			t.Logf("server error: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		s.grpcSrv.Stop()
+	})
+
+	return s
+}
+
+func (s *testServer) Events(stream proto.FlowService_EventsServer) error {
+	defer func() {
+		select {
+		case s.handlerDone <- struct{}{}:
+		default:
+		}
+	}()
+
+	err := stream.Send(&proto.FlowEventAck{IsInitiator: true})
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	select {
+	case s.handlerStarted <- struct{}{}:
+	default:
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(stream.Context())
+	defer cancel()
+
+	go func() {
+		defer cancel()
+		for {
+			event, err := stream.Recv()
+			if err != nil {
+				return
+			}
+
+			if !event.IsInitiator {
+				select {
+				case s.events <- event:
+				case <-ctx.Done():
+					return
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+
+	for {
+		select {
+		case ack := <-s.acks:
+			if err := stream.Send(ack); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return ctx.Err()
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSendEventReceiveAck(t *testing.T) {
+	_, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
+	t.Cleanup(cancel)
+
+	server := newTestServer(t)
+	manager := createManager(t, server.addr, 60*time.Second) // set high to prevent retries in this test
+	defer manager.Close()
+
+	assert.Eventually(t, func() bool {
+		select {
+		case <-server.handlerStarted:
+			return true
+		default:
+			return false
+		}
+	}, 3*time.Second, 100*time.Millisecond)
+
+	event1 := types.EventFields{
+		FlowID:    uuid.New(),
+		Type:      types.TypeStart,
+		Direction: types.Ingress,
+		DestIP:    ipAddr("172.16.1.2"),
+		DestPort:  2345,
+		Protocol:  6,
+	}
+	manager.logger.StoreEvent(event1)
+	event2 := types.EventFields{
+		FlowID:    uuid.New(),
+		Type:      types.TypeStart,
+		Direction: types.Ingress,
+		DestIP:    ipAddr("172.16.1.1"),
+		DestPort:  1234,
+		Protocol:  6,
+	}
+	manager.logger.StoreEvent(event2)
+
+	// verify the server received logged events
+	serverSideEvents := make([]*proto.FlowEvent, 0)
+	assert.Eventually(t, func() bool {
+		select {
+		case event := <-server.events:
+			serverSideEvents = append(serverSideEvents, event)
+			if len(serverSideEvents) == 2 {
+				return true
+			}
+		default:
+			if len(serverSideEvents) == 2 {
+				return true
+			}
+		}
+		return false
+	}, 5*time.Second, 100*time.Millisecond)
+
+	serverSideFlowIds := make([]uuid.UUID, 0, 2)
+	slices.Values(serverSideEvents)(func(e *proto.FlowEvent) bool {
+		id, err := uuid.FromBytes(e.FlowFields.FlowId)
+		assert.NoError(t, err)
+		serverSideFlowIds = append(serverSideFlowIds, id)
+		return true
+	})
+	assert.ElementsMatch(t, []uuid.UUID{event1.FlowID, event2.FlowID}, serverSideFlowIds)
+
+	// verify the manager tracks un-acked events
+	unackedEvents := manager.eventsWithoutAcks.GetEvents()
+	assert.Len(t, unackedEvents, 2)
+	flowIds := make([]uuid.UUID, 0)
+	slices.Values(unackedEvents)(func(e *types.Event) bool {
+		flowIds = append(flowIds, e.FlowID)
+		return true
+	})
+	assert.ElementsMatch(t, flowIds, []uuid.UUID{event1.FlowID, event2.FlowID})
+}
+
+// verify handling of retries:
+//   - unacked events are retried
+//   - when acks arrive, events are removed from the un-acked event tracker
+func TestRetryEvents(t *testing.T) {
+	_, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
+	t.Cleanup(cancel)
+
+	server := newTestServer(t)
+	manager := createManager(t, server.addr, time.Second) // set low to start retries sooner
+	defer manager.Close()
+
+	assert.Eventually(t, func() bool {
+		select {
+		case <-server.handlerStarted:
+			return true
+		default:
+			return false
+		}
+	}, 3*time.Second, 100*time.Millisecond)
+
+	event1 := types.EventFields{
+		FlowID:    uuid.New(),
+		Type:      types.TypeStart,
+		Direction: types.Ingress,
+		DestIP:    ipAddr("172.16.1.2"),
+		DestPort:  2345,
+		Protocol:  6,
+	}
+	manager.logger.StoreEvent(event1)
+	event2 := types.EventFields{
+		FlowID:    uuid.New(),
+		Type:      types.TypeStart,
+		Direction: types.Ingress,
+		DestIP:    ipAddr("172.16.1.1"),
+		DestPort:  1234,
+		Protocol:  6,
+	}
+	manager.logger.StoreEvent(event2)
+
+	// verify the server received retries of logged events
+	serverSideEvents := make([]*proto.FlowEvent, 0)
+	func() {
+		c := time.After(2500 * time.Millisecond)
+		for {
+			select {
+			case event := <-server.events:
+				serverSideEvents = append(serverSideEvents, event)
+			case <-c:
+				return
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+	assert.True(t, len(serverSideEvents) > 2) // must see retries
+
+	uniqueServerSideEvents := make(map[uuid.UUID]*proto.FlowEvent)
+	slices.Values(serverSideEvents)(func(e *proto.FlowEvent) bool {
+		id, err := uuid.FromBytes(e.FlowFields.FlowId)
+		assert.NoError(t, err)
+		uniqueServerSideEvents[id] = e
+		return true
+	})
+	assert.Contains(t, uniqueServerSideEvents, event1.FlowID)
+	assert.Contains(t, uniqueServerSideEvents, event2.FlowID)
+
+	// ack events
+	server.acks <- &proto.FlowEventAck{EventId: uniqueServerSideEvents[event1.FlowID].EventId}
+	server.acks <- &proto.FlowEventAck{EventId: uniqueServerSideEvents[event2.FlowID].EventId}
+
+	assert.EventuallyWithT(t, func(c *assert.CollectT) {
+		unackedEvents := manager.eventsWithoutAcks.GetEvents()
+		assert.Empty(c, unackedEvents)
+
+	}, 3*time.Second, 100*time.Millisecond)
+}
+
+func createManager(t *testing.T, serverAddr string, retryInterval time.Duration) *Manager {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	mockIFace := &mockIFaceMapper{
+		address: wgaddr.Address{
+			Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.1/32"),
+		},
+		isUserspaceBind: true,
+	}
+
+	publicKey := []byte("test-public-key")
+	manager := NewManager(mockIFace, publicKey, nil)
+	manager.retryInterval = retryInterval
+
+	initialConfig := &types.FlowConfig{
+		Enabled:        true,
+		URL:            fmt.Sprintf("http://%s", serverAddr),
+		TokenPayload:   "initial-payload",
+		TokenSignature: "initial-signature",
+		Interval:       500 * time.Millisecond,
+	}
+
+	err := manager.Update(initialConfig)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	return manager
+}
+
+func ipAddr(a string) netip.Addr {
+	addr, _ := netip.ParseAddr(a)
+	return addr
+}

client/internal/netflow/store/event_aggregation_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,365 @@
+package store
+
+import (
+	"math/rand"
+	"net/netip"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/types"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+)
+
+var random = rand.New(rand.NewSource(time.Now().UnixNano()))
+
+func TestFlowAggregation(t *testing.T) {
+	var protocols = []types.Protocol{types.ICMP, types.ICMPv6, types.TCP, types.UDP}
+	var tests = []struct {
+		description string
+		addresses   [][]netip.Addr
+		dstPort     uint16
+		eventTypes  []types.Type
+	}{
+		{
+			description: "start and stop",
+			addresses:   [][]netip.Addr{{netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}, {netip.MustParseAddr("3.3.3.3"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}},
+			dstPort:     uint16(random.Uint32() >> 16),
+			eventTypes:  []types.Type{types.TypeStart, types.TypeEnd},
+		},
+		{
+			description: "start and drop",
+			addresses:   [][]netip.Addr{{netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}, {netip.MustParseAddr("3.3.3.3"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}},
+			dstPort:     uint16(random.Uint32() >> 16),
+			eventTypes:  []types.Type{types.TypeStart, types.TypeDrop},
+		},
+		{
+			description: "start only",
+			addresses:   [][]netip.Addr{{netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}, {netip.MustParseAddr("3.3.3.3"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}},
+			dstPort:     uint16(random.Uint32() >> 16),
+			eventTypes:  []types.Type{types.TypeStart},
+		},
+		{
+			description: "drop only",
+			addresses:   [][]netip.Addr{{netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}, {netip.MustParseAddr("3.3.3.3"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}},
+			dstPort:     uint16(random.Uint32() >> 16),
+			eventTypes:  []types.Type{types.TypeDrop},
+		}}
+
+	for _, protocol := range protocols {
+		for _, tt := range tests {
+			t.Run(tt.description+" "+protocol.String(), func(t *testing.T) {
+				store := NewAggregatingMemoryStore()
+				store.WindowEnd = time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second)
+
+				allExpected := make([]*types.Event, 0)
+
+				for _, srcAndDst := range tt.addresses {
+					inEvents, expected := generateEvents(srcAndDst[0], srcAndDst[1], tt.dstPort, tt.eventTypes, protocol, types.Ingress, 0, store.WindowStart, store.WindowEnd)
+					for _, e := range inEvents {
+						store.StoreEvent(e)
+					}
+					allExpected = append(allExpected, expected)
+				}
+
+				events := store.GetAggregatedEvents()
+				assert.ElementsMatch(t, events, allExpected)
+			})
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestIcmpEventAggregation(t *testing.T) {
+	var protocols = []types.Protocol{types.ICMP, types.ICMPv6}
+	var icmpTypes = []uint8{1, 2, 3}
+
+	var tests = []struct {
+		description string
+		addresses   [][]netip.Addr
+		eventTypes  []types.Type
+	}{
+		{
+			description: "start and stop",
+			addresses:   [][]netip.Addr{{netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}},
+			eventTypes:  []types.Type{types.TypeStart, types.TypeEnd},
+		},
+		{
+			description: "start and drop",
+			addresses:   [][]netip.Addr{{netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}},
+			eventTypes:  []types.Type{types.TypeStart, types.TypeDrop},
+		},
+		{
+			description: "start only",
+			addresses:   [][]netip.Addr{{netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}},
+			eventTypes:  []types.Type{types.TypeStart},
+		},
+		{
+			description: "drop only",
+			addresses:   [][]netip.Addr{{netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}},
+			eventTypes:  []types.Type{types.TypeDrop},
+		}}
+
+	for _, protocol := range protocols {
+		for _, tt := range tests {
+			t.Run(tt.description+" "+protocol.String(), func(t *testing.T) {
+				store := NewAggregatingMemoryStore()
+				store.WindowEnd = time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second)
+
+				allExpected := make([]*types.Event, 0)
+				for _, icmpType := range icmpTypes {
+					events, expected := generateEvents(tt.addresses[0][0], tt.addresses[0][1], 0, tt.eventTypes, protocol, types.Ingress, icmpType, store.WindowStart, store.WindowEnd)
+					for _, e := range events {
+						store.StoreEvent(e)
+					}
+					allExpected = append(allExpected, expected)
+				}
+				aggregatedEvents := store.GetAggregatedEvents()
+				assert.Len(t, aggregatedEvents, len(allExpected))
+				assert.ElementsMatch(t, aggregatedEvents, allExpected)
+			})
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestFlowAggregationOfUnknownProtocols(t *testing.T) {
+	var tests = []struct {
+		description string
+		addresses   [][]netip.Addr
+		dstPort     uint16
+		eventTypes  []types.Type
+	}{
+		{
+			description: "start and stop",
+			addresses:   [][]netip.Addr{{netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}, {netip.MustParseAddr("3.3.3.3"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}},
+			dstPort:     uint16(random.Uint32() >> 16),
+			eventTypes:  []types.Type{types.TypeStart, types.TypeEnd},
+		},
+		{
+			description: "start and drop",
+			addresses:   [][]netip.Addr{{netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}, {netip.MustParseAddr("3.3.3.3"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}},
+			dstPort:     uint16(random.Uint32() >> 16),
+			eventTypes:  []types.Type{types.TypeStart, types.TypeDrop},
+		},
+		{
+			description: "start only",
+			addresses:   [][]netip.Addr{{netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}, {netip.MustParseAddr("3.3.3.3"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}},
+			dstPort:     uint16(random.Uint32() >> 16),
+			eventTypes:  []types.Type{types.TypeStart},
+		},
+		{
+			description: "drop only",
+			addresses:   [][]netip.Addr{{netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}, {netip.MustParseAddr("3.3.3.3"), netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2")}},
+			dstPort:     uint16(random.Uint32() >> 16),
+			eventTypes:  []types.Type{types.TypeDrop},
+		}}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.description+" "+types.ProtocolUnknown.String(), func(t *testing.T) {
+			store := NewAggregatingMemoryStore()
+			store.WindowEnd = time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second)
+
+			allExpected := make([]*types.Event, 0)
+
+			for _, srcAndDst := range tt.addresses {
+				inEvents, expected := generateEventsForUnknownProtocol(srcAndDst[0], srcAndDst[1], tt.dstPort, tt.eventTypes, types.ProtocolUnknown, types.Ingress, store.WindowStart, store.WindowEnd)
+				for _, e := range inEvents {
+					store.StoreEvent(e)
+				}
+				allExpected = append(allExpected, expected...)
+			}
+
+			events := store.GetAggregatedEvents()
+			assert.ElementsMatch(t, events, allExpected)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResetAggregationWindow(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	nowFunc := func() time.Time { return now }
+	store := NewAggregatingMemoryStoreWithTimeFunc(nowFunc)
+	store.StoreEvent(&types.Event{
+		ID:        uuid.New(),
+		Timestamp: time.Now(),
+		EventFields: types.EventFields{
+			FlowID:           uuid.New(),
+			Type:             types.TypeStart,
+			Protocol:         types.TCP,
+			RuleID:           []byte("rule-id-1"),
+			Direction:        types.Ingress,
+			SourceIP:         netip.MustParseAddr("1.1.1.1"),
+			SourcePort:       1234,
+			DestIP:           netip.MustParseAddr("2.2.2.2"),
+			DestPort:         5678,
+			SourceResourceID: []byte("source-resource-id"),
+			DestResourceID:   []byte("dest-resource-id"),
+			RxPackets:        random.Uint64(),
+			TxPackets:        random.Uint64(),
+			RxBytes:          random.Uint64(),
+			TxBytes:          random.Uint64(),
+		},
+	})
+
+	now = now.Add(1 * time.Second)
+	reset := store.ResetAggregationWindow()
+	previousEvents, ok := reset.(*AggregatingMemory)
+	assert.True(t, ok)
+	assert.NotEqual(t, previousEvents.WindowStart, store.WindowStart)
+	assert.Equal(t, previousEvents.WindowEnd, store.WindowStart)
+	assert.NotEmpty(t, previousEvents.events)
+	assert.Empty(t, store.events)
+}
+
+func generateEvents(srcIp, dstIp netip.Addr, dstPort uint16, eventTypes []types.Type, protocol types.Protocol,
+	direction types.Direction, icmpType uint8, windowStart, windowEnd time.Time) ([]*types.Event, *types.Event) {
+	var rxPackets, txPackets, rxBytes, txBytes uint64
+	inEvents := make([]*types.Event, 0)
+	ts := time.Now()
+	flowId := uuid.New()
+	srcPort := uint16(random.Uint32() >> 16)
+
+	for idx, eventType := range eventTypes {
+		e := &types.Event{
+			ID:        uuid.New(),
+			Timestamp: ts.Add(time.Duration(idx) * time.Second),
+			EventFields: types.EventFields{
+				FlowID:           flowId,
+				Type:             eventType,
+				Protocol:         protocol,
+				RuleID:           []byte("rule-id-1"),
+				Direction:        direction,
+				SourceIP:         srcIp,
+				SourcePort:       srcPort,
+				DestIP:           dstIp,
+				DestPort:         dstPort,
+				SourceResourceID: []byte("source-resource-id"),
+				DestResourceID:   []byte("dest-resource-id"),
+				RxPackets:        random.Uint64(),
+				TxPackets:        random.Uint64(),
+				RxBytes:          random.Uint64(),
+				TxBytes:          random.Uint64(),
+			}}
+		rxBytes += e.RxBytes
+		txBytes += e.TxBytes
+		rxPackets += e.RxPackets
+		txPackets += e.TxPackets
+		inEvents = append(inEvents, e)
+		if protocol == types.ICMP || protocol == types.ICMPv6 {
+			e.ICMPType = icmpType
+		}
+	}
+
+	var start, end, drop uint64
+	for _, eventType := range eventTypes {
+		switch eventType {
+		case types.TypeStart:
+			start += 1
+		case types.TypeDrop:
+			drop += 1
+		case types.TypeEnd:
+			end += 1
+		}
+	}
+	aggregatedEvent := &types.Event{
+		ID:          inEvents[0].ID,
+		Timestamp:   inEvents[0].Timestamp,
+		WindowStart: windowStart,
+		WindowEnd:   windowEnd,
+		EventFields: types.EventFields{
+			FlowID:           flowId,
+			Type:             types.TypeUnknown,
+			Protocol:         inEvents[0].Protocol,
+			RuleID:           []byte("rule-id-1"),
+			Direction:        inEvents[0].Direction,
+			SourceIP:         srcIp,
+			SourcePort:       srcPort,
+			DestIP:           dstIp,
+			DestPort:         dstPort,
+			SourceResourceID: []byte("source-resource-id"),
+			DestResourceID:   []byte("dest-resource-id"),
+			RxPackets:        rxPackets,
+			TxPackets:        txPackets,
+			RxBytes:          rxBytes,
+			TxBytes:          txBytes,
+			NumOfStarts:      start,
+			NumOfEnds:        end,
+			NumOfDrops:       drop,
+		}}
+	if protocol == types.ICMP || protocol == types.ICMPv6 {
+		aggregatedEvent.ICMPType = icmpType
+	}
+
+	return inEvents, aggregatedEvent
+}
+
+func generateEventsForUnknownProtocol(srcIp, dstIp netip.Addr, dstPort uint16, eventTypes []types.Type, protocol types.Protocol,
+	direction types.Direction, windowStart, windowEnd time.Time) ([]*types.Event, []*types.Event) {
+	inEvents := make([]*types.Event, 0)
+	expectedEvents := make([]*types.Event, 0)
+
+	ts := time.Now()
+	flowId := uuid.New()
+	srcPort := uint16(random.Uint32() >> 16)
+
+	for idx, eventType := range eventTypes {
+		e := &types.Event{
+			ID:        uuid.New(),
+			Timestamp: ts.Add(time.Duration(idx) * time.Second),
+			EventFields: types.EventFields{
+				FlowID:           flowId,
+				Type:             eventType,
+				Protocol:         protocol,
+				RuleID:           []byte("rule-id-1"),
+				Direction:        direction,
+				SourceIP:         srcIp,
+				SourcePort:       srcPort,
+				DestIP:           dstIp,
+				DestPort:         dstPort,
+				SourceResourceID: []byte("source-resource-id"),
+				DestResourceID:   []byte("dest-resource-id"),
+				RxPackets:        random.Uint64(),
+				TxPackets:        random.Uint64(),
+				RxBytes:          random.Uint64(),
+				TxBytes:          random.Uint64(),
+			}}
+		inEvents = append(inEvents, e)
+
+		var start, end, drop uint64
+		switch eventType {
+		case types.TypeStart:
+			start = 1
+		case types.TypeDrop:
+			drop = 1
+		case types.TypeEnd:
+			end = 1
+		}
+
+		expectedEvents = append(expectedEvents, &types.Event{
+			ID:          e.ID,
+			Timestamp:   e.Timestamp,
+			WindowStart: windowStart,
+			WindowEnd:   windowEnd,
+			EventFields: types.EventFields{
+				FlowID:           flowId,
+				Type:             types.TypeUnknown,
+				Protocol:         e.Protocol,
+				RuleID:           []byte("rule-id-1"),
+				Direction:        e.Direction,
+				SourceIP:         srcIp,
+				SourcePort:       srcPort,
+				DestIP:           dstIp,
+				DestPort:         dstPort,
+				SourceResourceID: []byte("source-resource-id"),
+				DestResourceID:   []byte("dest-resource-id"),
+				RxPackets:        e.RxPackets,
+				TxPackets:        e.TxPackets,
+				RxBytes:          e.RxBytes,
+				TxBytes:          e.TxBytes,
+				NumOfStarts:      start,
+				NumOfEnds:        end,
+				NumOfDrops:       drop,
+			}})
+	}
+
+	return inEvents, expectedEvents
+}

client/internal/netflow/store/memory.go

@@ -1,10 +1,15 @@
 package store
 
 import (
+	"maps"
+	"math/rand"
+	v2 "math/rand/v2"
+	"net/netip"
+	"slices"
 	"sync"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
-
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/types"
 )
 
@@ -19,6 +24,14 @@ type Memory struct {
 	events map[uuid.UUID]*types.Event
 }
 
+type AggregatingMemory struct {
+	Memory
+	WindowStart time.Time
+	WindowEnd   time.Time
+	rnd         *v2.PCG
+	nowFunc     func() time.Time
+}
+
 func (m *Memory) StoreEvent(event *types.Event) {
 	m.mux.Lock()
 	defer m.mux.Unlock()
@@ -48,3 +61,104 @@ func (m *Memory) DeleteEvents(ids []uuid.UUID) {
 		delete(m.events, id)
 	}
 }
+
+func NewAggregatingMemoryStore() *AggregatingMemory {
+	return NewAggregatingMemoryStoreWithTimeFunc(defaultNowFunc)
+}
+
+// used in tests when deterministic (less random) time intervals are required
+func NewAggregatingMemoryStoreWithTimeFunc(nowFunc func() time.Time) *AggregatingMemory {
+	return &AggregatingMemory{WindowStart: nowFunc(), Memory: Memory{events: make(map[uuid.UUID]*types.Event)}, nowFunc: nowFunc, rnd: v2.NewPCG(rand.Uint64(), rand.Uint64())}
+}
+
+func (am *AggregatingMemory) ResetAggregationWindow() types.FlowEventAggregator {
+	am.mux.Lock()
+	defer am.mux.Unlock()
+
+	now := am.nowFunc()
+	toret := AggregatingMemory{WindowStart: am.WindowStart, WindowEnd: now, Memory: Memory{events: am.events}, rnd: v2.NewPCG(rand.Uint64(), rand.Uint64())}
+
+	am.events = make(map[uuid.UUID]*types.Event)
+	am.WindowStart = now
+
+	return &toret
+}
+
+type aggregationKey struct {
+	srcAddr   netip.Addr
+	destAddr  netip.Addr
+	destPort  uint16
+	direction int
+	protocol  uint8
+	icmpType  uint8
+	unique    uint64 // used to prevent aggregation on non icmp/udp/tcp events
+}
+
+func (am *AggregatingMemory) GetAggregatedEvents() []*types.Event {
+	am.mux.Lock()
+	defer am.mux.Unlock()
+
+	aggregated := make(map[aggregationKey]*types.Event)
+	for _, v := range am.events {
+		lookupKey := aggregationKey{srcAddr: v.SourceIP, destAddr: v.DestIP, destPort: v.DestPort, direction: int(v.Direction), protocol: uint8(v.Protocol), icmpType: v.ICMPType}
+		if _, ok := aggregated[lookupKey]; !ok {
+			event := v.Clone()
+
+			switch event.Type {
+			case types.TypeStart:
+				event.NumOfStarts += 1
+			case types.TypeDrop:
+				event.NumOfDrops += 1
+			case types.TypeEnd:
+				event.NumOfEnds += 1
+			}
+			event.Type = types.TypeUnknown
+
+			// Please note that ICMPCode field isn't propagated by the manager (see flow/proto/flow.pb.go, FlowFields struct)
+			// so the field value in an icmp event in the "aggregated" doesn't matter
+
+			event.WindowStart = am.WindowStart
+			event.WindowEnd = am.WindowEnd
+
+			if event.Protocol != types.ICMP && event.Protocol != types.ICMPv6 && event.Protocol != types.UDP && event.Protocol != types.TCP {
+				lookupKey.unique = am.rnd.Uint64() // to make the lookup key unique so we don't aggregate on it
+			}
+
+			aggregated[lookupKey] = event
+			continue
+		}
+
+		aggregatedEvent := aggregated[lookupKey]
+		if aggregatedEvent.Protocol != types.ICMP && aggregatedEvent.Protocol != types.ICMPv6 && aggregatedEvent.Protocol != types.UDP && aggregatedEvent.Protocol != types.TCP {
+			continue // we don't aggregate this type of events; shouldn't ever get here
+		}
+
+		// track the number of connections, duration?, open and close events?
+		aggregatedEvent.RxBytes += v.RxBytes
+		aggregatedEvent.RxPackets += v.RxPackets
+		aggregatedEvent.TxBytes += v.TxBytes
+		aggregatedEvent.TxPackets += v.TxPackets
+		switch v.Type {
+		case types.TypeStart:
+			aggregatedEvent.NumOfStarts += 1
+		case types.TypeDrop:
+			aggregatedEvent.NumOfDrops += 1
+		case types.TypeEnd:
+			aggregatedEvent.NumOfEnds += 1
+		}
+		if aggregatedEvent.Timestamp.Compare(v.Timestamp) > 0 {
+			aggregatedEvent.Timestamp = v.Timestamp
+			aggregatedEvent.ID = v.ID
+			aggregatedEvent.SourcePort = v.SourcePort
+		}
+		if len(aggregatedEvent.RuleID) == 0 && len(v.RuleID) != 0 {
+			aggregatedEvent.RuleID = slices.Clone(v.RuleID)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return slices.Collect(maps.Values(aggregated)) // could return an iterator instead here
+}
+
+func defaultNowFunc() time.Time {
+	return time.Now()
+}

client/internal/netflow/types/types.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package types
 
 import (
 	"net/netip"
+	"slices"
 	"strconv"
 	"time"
 
@@ -69,8 +70,10 @@ const (
 )
 
 type Event struct {
-	ID        uuid.UUID
-	Timestamp time.Time
+	ID          uuid.UUID
+	Timestamp   time.Time
+	WindowStart time.Time
+	WindowEnd   time.Time
 	EventFields
 }
 
@@ -92,6 +95,17 @@ type EventFields struct {
 	TxPackets        uint64
 	RxBytes          uint64
 	TxBytes          uint64
+	NumOfStarts      uint64
+	NumOfEnds        uint64
+	NumOfDrops       uint64
+}
+
+func (e *Event) Clone() *Event {
+	toret := *e
+	toret.RuleID = slices.Clone(e.RuleID)
+	toret.SourceResourceID = slices.Clone(e.SourceResourceID)
+	toret.DestResourceID = slices.Clone(e.DestResourceID)
+	return &toret
 }
 
 type FlowConfig struct {
@@ -114,13 +128,15 @@ type FlowManager interface {
 	GetLogger() FlowLogger
 }
 
+type FlowEventAggregator interface {
+	ResetAggregationWindow() FlowEventAggregator
+	GetAggregatedEvents() []*Event
+}
+
 type FlowLogger interface {
+	ResetAggregationWindow() FlowEventAggregator
 	// StoreEvent stores a flow event
 	StoreEvent(flowEvent EventFields)
-	// GetEvents returns all stored events
-	GetEvents() []*Event
-	// DeleteEvents deletes events from the store
-	DeleteEvents([]uuid.UUID)
 	// Close closes the logger
 	Close()
 	// Enable enables the flow logger receiver
@@ -140,6 +156,11 @@ type Store interface {
 	Close()
 }
 
+type AggregatingStore interface {
+	FlowEventAggregator
+	Store
+}
+
 // ConnTracker defines the interface for connection tracking functionality
 type ConnTracker interface {
 	// Start begins tracking connections by listening for conntrack events.

client/internal/peer/conn.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
 	"runtime"
+	"slices"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
@@ -29,6 +30,11 @@ import (
 	relayClient "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/relay/client"
 )
 
+// wgTimeoutEscalationThreshold is the number of consecutive WireGuard
+// handshake timeouts after which the rosenpass state for the peer is
+// considered desynced and gets reset.
+const wgTimeoutEscalationThreshold = 3
+
 // MetricsRecorder is an interface for recording peer connection metrics
 type MetricsRecorder interface {
 	RecordConnectionStages(
@@ -117,6 +123,9 @@ type Conn struct {
 	wgWatcher       *WGWatcher
 	wgWatcherWg     sync.WaitGroup
 	wgWatcherCancel context.CancelFunc
+	// wgTimeouts counts consecutive WireGuard handshake timeouts without a
+	// successful handshake in between. Guarded by mu.
+	wgTimeouts int
 
 	// used to store the remote Rosenpass key for Relayed connection in case of connection update from ice
 	rosenpassRemoteKey []byte
@@ -136,6 +145,39 @@ type Conn struct {
 	// Connection stage timestamps for metrics
 	metricsRecorder MetricsRecorder
 	metricsStages   *MetricsStages
+
+	// pendingFirstPacket is the lazyconn-captured handshake init, replayed once the real
+	// transport is up.
+	pendingFirstPacket []byte
+}
+
+// injectPendingFirstPacket replays the captured handshake through the proxy if present, else
+// directly through the ICE conn. The packet is cleared only after a successful write, so a failed
+// or transport-less attempt leaves it available for a later reinjection. Caller must hold conn.mu.
+func (conn *Conn) injectPendingFirstPacket(proxy wgproxy.Proxy, directConn net.Conn) {
+	pkt := conn.pendingFirstPacket
+	if len(pkt) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	switch {
+	case proxy != nil:
+		if err := proxy.InjectPacket(pkt); err != nil {
+			conn.Log.Debugf("failed to reinject captured first packet via proxy: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+	case directConn != nil:
+		if _, err := directConn.Write(pkt); err != nil {
+			conn.Log.Debugf("failed to reinject captured first packet via direct conn: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+	default:
+		conn.Log.Debugf("no transport available to reinject captured first packet")
+		return
+	}
+
+	conn.pendingFirstPacket = nil
+	conn.Log.Debugf("reinjected captured first packet (%d bytes)", len(pkt))
 }
 
 // NewConn creates a new not opened Conn to the remote peer.
@@ -161,7 +203,6 @@ func NewConn(config ConnConfig, services ServiceDependencies) (*Conn, error) {
 		statusICE:          worker.NewAtomicStatus(),
 		dumpState:          dumpState,
 		endpointUpdater:    NewEndpointUpdater(connLog, config.WgConfig, isController(config)),
-		wgWatcher:          NewWGWatcher(connLog, config.WgConfig.WgInterface, config.Key, dumpState),
 		metricsRecorder:    services.MetricsRecorder,
 	}
 
@@ -172,6 +213,16 @@ func NewConn(config ConnConfig, services ServiceDependencies) (*Conn, error) {
 // It will try to establish a connection using ICE and in parallel with relay. The higher priority connection type will
 // be used.
 func (conn *Conn) Open(engineCtx context.Context) error {
+	return conn.open(engineCtx, nil)
+}
+
+// OpenWithFirstPacket opens the connection like Open and stashes firstPacket to be replayed once
+// the real transport is established. The packet is retained only on a successful open.
+func (conn *Conn) OpenWithFirstPacket(engineCtx context.Context, firstPacket []byte) error {
+	return conn.open(engineCtx, firstPacket)
+}
+
+func (conn *Conn) open(engineCtx context.Context, firstPacket []byte) error {
 	conn.mu.Lock()
 	defer conn.mu.Unlock()
 
@@ -227,6 +278,9 @@ func (conn *Conn) Open(engineCtx context.Context) error {
 		defer conn.wg.Done()
 		conn.guard.Start(conn.ctx, conn.onGuardEvent)
 	}()
+	if len(firstPacket) > 0 {
+		conn.pendingFirstPacket = slices.Clone(firstPacket)
+	}
 	conn.opened = true
 	return nil
 }
@@ -423,6 +477,8 @@ func (conn *Conn) onICEConnectionIsReady(priority conntype.ConnPriority, iceConn
 		conn.wgProxyRelay.RedirectAs(ep)
 	}
 
+	conn.injectPendingFirstPacket(wgProxy, iceConnInfo.RemoteConn)
+
 	conn.currentConnPriority = priority
 	conn.statusICE.SetConnected()
 	conn.updateIceState(iceConnInfo, updateTime)
@@ -546,6 +602,8 @@ func (conn *Conn) onRelayConnectionIsReady(rci RelayConnInfo) {
 
 	wgConfigWorkaround()
 
+	conn.injectPendingFirstPacket(wgProxy, nil)
+
 	conn.rosenpassRemoteKey = rci.rosenpassPubKey
 	conn.currentConnPriority = conntype.Relay
 	conn.statusRelay.SetConnected()
@@ -612,11 +670,12 @@ func (conn *Conn) onGuardEvent() {
 	}
 }
 
-func (conn *Conn) onWGDisconnected() {
+func (conn *Conn) onWGDisconnected(watcherCtx context.Context) {
 	conn.mu.Lock()
 	defer conn.mu.Unlock()
 
-	if conn.ctx.Err() != nil {
+	// watcherCtx guards against a stale watcher tearing down a connection that already superseded it.
+	if conn.ctx.Err() != nil || watcherCtx.Err() != nil {
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -632,6 +691,29 @@ func (conn *Conn) onWGDisconnected() {
 	default:
 		conn.Log.Debugf("No active connection to close on WG timeout")
 	}
+
+	conn.escalateWGTimeoutLocked()
+}
+
+// escalateWGTimeoutLocked resets the peer's rosenpass state after repeated
+// handshake timeouts. With rosenpass enabled, persistent timeouts mean the
+// preshared keys have desynced; the renewal exchange runs over the dead
+// tunnel and cannot resync them. Reporting the peer disconnected drops its
+// rosenpass state, so the next connection configuration programs the
+// rendezvous key and the tunnel can bootstrap again. Callers must hold mu.
+func (conn *Conn) escalateWGTimeoutLocked() {
+	if conn.config.RosenpassConfig.PubKey == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	conn.wgTimeouts++
+	if conn.wgTimeouts < wgTimeoutEscalationThreshold || conn.onDisconnected == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	conn.wgTimeouts = 0
+
+	conn.Log.Warnf("%d consecutive WireGuard handshake timeouts, resetting rosenpass state for peer", wgTimeoutEscalationThreshold)
+	conn.onDisconnected(conn.config.WgConfig.RemoteKey)
 }
 
 func (conn *Conn) updateRelayStatus(relayServerAddr string, rosenpassPubKey []byte, updateTime time.Time) {
@@ -751,23 +833,39 @@ func (conn *Conn) isConnectedOnAllWay() (status guard.ConnStatus) {
 	})
 }
 
+// enableWgWatcherIfNeeded starts a fresh watcher instance per connection attempt, so its
+// lifecycle stays bound to conn.mu and enable/disable can't race an old goroutine's shutdown.
+// Caller must hold conn.mu.
 func (conn *Conn) enableWgWatcherIfNeeded(enabledTime time.Time) {
-	if !conn.wgWatcher.IsEnabled() {
-		wgWatcherCtx, wgWatcherCancel := context.WithCancel(conn.ctx)
-		conn.wgWatcherCancel = wgWatcherCancel
-		conn.wgWatcherWg.Add(1)
-		go func() {
-			defer conn.wgWatcherWg.Done()
-			conn.wgWatcher.EnableWgWatcher(wgWatcherCtx, enabledTime, conn.onWGDisconnected, conn.onWGHandshakeSuccess)
-		}()
+	if conn.wgWatcher != nil {
+		return
 	}
+
+	watcher := NewWGWatcher(conn.Log, conn.config.WgConfig.WgInterface, conn.config.Key, conn.dumpState)
+	watcher.PrepareInitialHandshake()
+
+	wgWatcherCtx, wgWatcherCancel := context.WithCancel(conn.ctx)
+	conn.wgWatcher = watcher
+	conn.wgWatcherCancel = wgWatcherCancel
+
+	conn.wgWatcherWg.Add(1)
+	go func() {
+		defer conn.wgWatcherWg.Done()
+		onDisconnected := func() { conn.onWGDisconnected(wgWatcherCtx) }
+		watcher.EnableWgWatcher(wgWatcherCtx, enabledTime, onDisconnected, conn.onWGHandshakeSuccess, conn.onWGCheckSuccess)
+	}()
 }
 
+// disableWgWatcherIfNeeded cancels and drops the watcher once no transport is active. It never
+// waits for the goroutine: the timeout path reentrantly calls back here under conn.mu, so
+// blocking would deadlock. Caller must hold conn.mu.
 func (conn *Conn) disableWgWatcherIfNeeded() {
-	if conn.currentConnPriority == conntype.None && conn.wgWatcherCancel != nil {
-		conn.wgWatcherCancel()
-		conn.wgWatcherCancel = nil
+	if conn.currentConnPriority != conntype.None || conn.wgWatcher == nil {
+		return
 	}
+	conn.wgWatcherCancel()
+	conn.wgWatcher = nil
+	conn.wgWatcherCancel = nil
 }
 
 func (conn *Conn) newProxy(remoteConn net.Conn) (wgproxy.Proxy, error) {
@@ -790,7 +888,9 @@ func (conn *Conn) resetEndpoint() {
 		return
 	}
 	conn.Log.Infof("reset wg endpoint")
-	conn.wgWatcher.Reset()
+	if conn.wgWatcher != nil {
+		conn.wgWatcher.Reset()
+	}
 	if err := conn.endpointUpdater.RemoveEndpointAddress(); err != nil {
 		conn.Log.Warnf("failed to remove endpoint address before update: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -839,6 +939,15 @@ func (conn *Conn) onWGHandshakeSuccess(when time.Time) {
 	conn.recordConnectionMetrics()
 }
 
+// onWGCheckSuccess is called for every watcher check that observed a fresh
+// handshake, including handshakes of connections that were already up when
+// the watcher started.
+func (conn *Conn) onWGCheckSuccess() {
+	conn.mu.Lock()
+	conn.wgTimeouts = 0
+	conn.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
 // recordConnectionMetrics records connection stage timestamps as metrics
 func (conn *Conn) recordConnectionMetrics() {
 	if conn.metricsRecorder == nil {

client/internal/peer/conn_test.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
@@ -304,3 +305,84 @@ func TestConn_presharedKey_RosenpassManaged(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("expected non-nil presharedKey before Rosenpass manages PSK")
 	}
 }
+
+func newWGTimeoutTestConn(rosenpassEnabled bool, disconnected *[]string) *Conn {
+	cfg := ConnConfig{
+		Key:      "LLHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU=",
+		LocalKey: "RRHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU=",
+		WgConfig: WgConfig{RemoteKey: "LLHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU="},
+	}
+	if rosenpassEnabled {
+		cfg.RosenpassConfig = RosenpassConfig{PubKey: []byte("dummykey")}
+	}
+
+	conn := &Conn{
+		ctx:           context.Background(),
+		config:        cfg,
+		Log:           log.WithField("peer", cfg.Key),
+		metricsStages: &MetricsStages{},
+	}
+	conn.SetOnDisconnected(func(remotePeer string) {
+		*disconnected = append(*disconnected, remotePeer)
+	})
+	return conn
+}
+
+// TestConn_onWGDisconnected_EscalatesToRosenpassReset: repeated handshake
+// timeouts with rosenpass enabled mean the preshared keys have desynced. The
+// renewal exchange runs over the dead tunnel and cannot resync them, so after
+// wgTimeoutEscalationThreshold consecutive timeouts the conn must report the
+// peer disconnected, dropping its rosenpass state so the next configuration
+// programs the rendezvous key.
+func TestConn_onWGDisconnected_EscalatesToRosenpassReset(t *testing.T) {
+	var disconnected []string
+	conn := newWGTimeoutTestConn(true, &disconnected)
+
+	for i := 0; i < wgTimeoutEscalationThreshold-1; i++ {
+		conn.onWGDisconnected(conn.ctx)
+	}
+	assert.Empty(t, disconnected, "escalation must not fire below the threshold")
+
+	conn.onWGDisconnected(conn.ctx)
+	assert.Equal(t, []string{conn.config.WgConfig.RemoteKey}, disconnected,
+		"reaching the threshold must report the peer disconnected once")
+
+	for i := 0; i < wgTimeoutEscalationThreshold-1; i++ {
+		conn.onWGDisconnected(conn.ctx)
+	}
+	assert.Len(t, disconnected, 1, "escalation must restart counting after firing")
+
+	conn.onWGDisconnected(conn.ctx)
+	assert.Len(t, disconnected, 2, "continued timeouts must escalate again")
+}
+
+// TestConn_onWGDisconnected_CheckSuccessResetsEscalation: a successful
+// handshake between timeouts means the tunnel recovered; the counter must
+// start over.
+func TestConn_onWGDisconnected_CheckSuccessResetsEscalation(t *testing.T) {
+	var disconnected []string
+	conn := newWGTimeoutTestConn(true, &disconnected)
+
+	for i := 0; i < wgTimeoutEscalationThreshold-1; i++ {
+		conn.onWGDisconnected(conn.ctx)
+	}
+	conn.onWGCheckSuccess()
+
+	for i := 0; i < wgTimeoutEscalationThreshold-1; i++ {
+		conn.onWGDisconnected(conn.ctx)
+	}
+	assert.Empty(t, disconnected, "handshake success must reset the timeout count")
+}
+
+// TestConn_onWGDisconnected_NoEscalationWithoutRosenpass: without rosenpass
+// there is no per-peer key state to reset; repeated timeouts must not report
+// disconnects.
+func TestConn_onWGDisconnected_NoEscalationWithoutRosenpass(t *testing.T) {
+	var disconnected []string
+	conn := newWGTimeoutTestConn(false, &disconnected)
+
+	for i := 0; i < wgTimeoutEscalationThreshold*3; i++ {
+		conn.onWGDisconnected(conn.ctx)
+	}
+	assert.Empty(t, disconnected, "escalation must be limited to rosenpass connections")
+}

client/internal/peer/guard/guard.go

@@ -85,7 +85,11 @@ func (g *Guard) reconnectLoopWithRetry(ctx context.Context, callback func()) {
 	defer g.srWatcher.RemoveListener(srReconnectedChan)
 
 	ticker := g.initialTicker(ctx)
-	defer ticker.Stop()
+	defer func() {
+		// If backoff.Ticker.send is blocked, context.Done will not close the Ticker goroutine.
+		// We have to explicitly call Stop, even if we use backoff.WithContext.
+		ticker.Stop()
+	}()
 
 	tickerChannel := ticker.C
 

client/internal/peer/guard/guard_leak_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+package guard
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer/ice"
+)
+
+func newTestGuard(status connStatusFunc) *Guard {
+	srw := NewSRWatcher(nil, nil, nil, ice.Config{})
+	return NewGuard(log.WithField("test", "guard"), status, 50*time.Millisecond, srw)
+}
+
+// countBackoffTickerGoroutines returns how many goroutines are currently sitting
+// in backoff/v4.(*Ticker).run (a ticker goroutine that has not exited).
+func countBackoffTickerGoroutines() int {
+	buf := make([]byte, 1<<25) // 32MB
+	n := runtime.Stack(buf, true)
+	return strings.Count(string(buf[:n]), "backoff/v4.(*Ticker).run")
+}
+
+// TestGuard_ReconnectTicker_NoGoroutineLeakOnShutdown reproduces a observed
+// leak: after a shutdown burst, ticker run/send goroutines stay parked
+// forever even though every reconnect loop has exited.
+func TestGuard_ReconnectTicker_NoGoroutineLeakOnShutdown(t *testing.T) {
+	before := countBackoffTickerGoroutines()
+
+	const peers = 6000
+	cancels := make([]context.CancelFunc, 0, peers)
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+
+	// A status check slower than the tick cadence. This models the real
+	// isConnectedOnAllWay/callback doing work: while the loop is busy in the
+	// handler, the ticker fires the next tick and parks in send(), because
+	// send() never selects on ctx.
+	slowStatus := func() ConnStatus {
+		time.Sleep(70 * time.Millisecond)
+		return ConnStatusConnected
+	}
+
+	for range peers {
+		g := newTestGuard(slowStatus)
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		cancels = append(cancels, cancel)
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			g.Start(ctx, func() {})
+		}()
+		// Force the live ticker to be a newReconnectTicker.
+		g.SetRelayedConnDisconnected()
+	}
+
+	// Let the replacement tickers get past their 800ms initial interval, so
+	// many are parked in send() waiting on the (slow) consumer when we tear
+	// everything down.
+	time.Sleep(1500 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	// Shutdown burst: cancel every peer at once, like engine teardown.
+	for _, c := range cancels {
+		c()
+	}
+
+	// Every reconnect loop must return
+	waitCh := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() { wg.Wait(); close(waitCh) }()
+	select {
+	case <-waitCh:
+	case <-time.After(30 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("not all reconnect loops returned after ctx cancel")
+	}
+
+	// Give any correctly-stopped ticker goroutines time to unwind.
+	for range 50 {
+		runtime.Gosched()
+		time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+
+	leaked := countBackoffTickerGoroutines() - before
+	t.Logf("backoff Ticker.run goroutines still parked after teardown of %d peers: %d", peers, leaked)
+	if leaked > 0 {
+		t.Errorf("LEAK: %d backoff ticker goroutines parked after all reconnect loops exited "+
+			"(defer ticker.Stop() stops the initial ticker, not the live replacement)", leaked)
+	}
+}

client/internal/peer/status.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"net/netip"
 	"slices"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
@@ -191,23 +192,30 @@ func (s *StatusChangeSubscription) Events() chan map[string]RouterState {
 // every private-service request) don't contend against each other.
 // 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
-	signalState           bool
-	signalError           error
-	managementState       bool
-	managementError       error
-	relayStates           []relay.ProbeResult
-	localPeer             LocalPeerState
-	offlinePeers          []State
-	mgmAddress            string
-	signalAddress         string
-	notifier              *notifier
-	rosenpassEnabled      bool
-	rosenpassPermissive   bool
+	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
+	signalState         bool
+	signalError         error
+	managementState     bool
+	managementError     error
+	relayStates         []relay.ProbeResult
+	localPeer           LocalPeerState
+	offlinePeers        []State
+	mgmAddress          string
+	signalAddress       string
+	notifier            *notifier
+	rosenpassEnabled    bool
+	rosenpassPermissive bool
+	// sessionExpiresAt is the absolute UTC instant at which the peer's SSO
+	// session expires. Zero when the peer is not SSO-tracked or login
+	// expiration is disabled. Populated from management LoginResponse /
+	// SyncResponse and exposed via the daemon's Status / SubscribeStatus RPC
+	// so the UI can show remaining time without itself talking to mgm.
+	sessionExpiresAt time.Time
+
 	nsGroupStates         []NSGroupState
 	resolvedDomainsStates map[domain.Domain]ResolvedDomainInfo
 	lazyConnectionEnabled bool
@@ -223,6 +231,21 @@ type Status struct {
 	eventStreams map[string]chan *proto.SystemEvent
 	eventQueue   *EventQueue
 
+	// stateChangeStreams fan-out connection-state changes (connected /
+	// disconnected / connecting / address change / peers list change) to
+	// every active SubscribeStatus gRPC stream. Each subscriber gets a
+	// buffered chan; the notifier non-blockingly pings them so a slow
+	// consumer can never stall the daemon.
+	stateChangeMux     sync.Mutex
+	stateChangeStreams map[string]chan struct{}
+
+	// networksRevision bumps whenever the routed-networks set or their
+	// selected state changes (driven by the route manager). Surfaced in the
+	// status snapshot so the UI can fingerprint on it and re-fetch
+	// ListNetworks only on a real change. Atomic so the snapshot builder can
+	// read it without taking mux.
+	networksRevision atomic.Uint64
+
 	ingressGwMgr *ingressgw.Manager
 
 	routeIDLookup routeIDLookup
@@ -237,6 +260,7 @@ func NewRecorder(mgmAddress string) *Status {
 		changeNotify:          make(map[string]map[string]*StatusChangeSubscription),
 		eventStreams:          make(map[string]chan *proto.SystemEvent),
 		eventQueue:            NewEventQueue(eventQueueSize),
+		stateChangeStreams:    make(map[string]chan struct{}),
 		offlinePeers:          make([]State, 0),
 		notifier:              newNotifier(),
 		mgmAddress:            mgmAddress,
@@ -401,6 +425,7 @@ func (d *Status) UpdatePeerState(receivedState State) error {
 	if notifyRouter {
 		d.dispatchRouterPeers(receivedState.PubKey, routerSnapshot)
 	}
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -426,6 +451,7 @@ func (d *Status) AddPeerStateRoute(peer string, route string, resourceId route.R
 
 	// todo: consider to make sense of this notification or not
 	d.notifier.peerListChanged(numPeers)
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -451,6 +477,7 @@ func (d *Status) RemovePeerStateRoute(peer string, route string) error {
 
 	// todo: consider to make sense of this notification or not
 	d.notifier.peerListChanged(numPeers)
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -500,6 +527,7 @@ func (d *Status) UpdatePeerICEState(receivedState State) error {
 	if notifyRouter {
 		d.dispatchRouterPeers(receivedState.PubKey, routerSnapshot)
 	}
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -536,6 +564,7 @@ func (d *Status) UpdatePeerRelayedState(receivedState State) error {
 	if notifyRouter {
 		d.dispatchRouterPeers(receivedState.PubKey, routerSnapshot)
 	}
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -571,6 +600,7 @@ func (d *Status) UpdatePeerRelayedStateToDisconnected(receivedState State) error
 	if notifyRouter {
 		d.dispatchRouterPeers(receivedState.PubKey, routerSnapshot)
 	}
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -609,6 +639,7 @@ func (d *Status) UpdatePeerICEStateToDisconnected(receivedState State) error {
 	if notifyRouter {
 		d.dispatchRouterPeers(receivedState.PubKey, routerSnapshot)
 	}
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -702,6 +733,7 @@ func (d *Status) FinishPeerListModifications() {
 	for _, rd := range dispatches {
 		d.dispatchRouterPeers(rd.peerID, rd.snapshot)
 	}
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 }
 
 func (d *Status) SubscribeToPeerStateChanges(ctx context.Context, peerID string) *StatusChangeSubscription {
@@ -760,6 +792,41 @@ func (d *Status) UpdateLocalPeerState(localPeerState LocalPeerState) {
 	d.mux.Unlock()
 
 	d.notifier.localAddressChanged(fqdn, ip)
+	d.notifyStateChange()
+}
+
+// SetSessionExpiresAt records the absolute UTC instant at which the peer's
+// SSO session is set to expire. Pass the zero value to clear (e.g. when the
+// management server stops publishing a deadline because login expiration was
+// disabled or the peer is not SSO-tracked). Same-value updates are no-ops;
+// real changes fan out via notifyStateChange so SubscribeStatus consumers
+// pick up the new deadline on their next read.
+func (d *Status) SetSessionExpiresAt(deadline time.Time) {
+	d.mux.Lock()
+	if d.sessionExpiresAt.Equal(deadline) {
+		d.mux.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	d.sessionExpiresAt = deadline
+	d.mux.Unlock()
+	d.notifyStateChange()
+}
+
+// GetSessionExpiresAt returns the most recently recorded SSO session deadline,
+// or the zero value when no deadline is tracked. A deadline that has already
+// slipped into the past reports as "none": once the session has expired it is
+// no longer a meaningful countdown, and the sessionwatch.Watcher does not
+// arm a timer at the deadline itself to clear it (only the two pre-expiry
+// warnings). Without this guard the UI would keep painting a stale
+// "expires in …" against a moment that has passed until the next login,
+// extend, or teardown rewrote the value.
+func (d *Status) GetSessionExpiresAt() time.Time {
+	d.mux.Lock()
+	defer d.mux.Unlock()
+	if !d.sessionExpiresAt.IsZero() && d.sessionExpiresAt.Before(time.Now()) {
+		return time.Time{}
+	}
+	return d.sessionExpiresAt
 }
 
 // AddLocalPeerStateRoute adds a route to the local peer state
@@ -828,11 +895,19 @@ func (d *Status) CleanLocalPeerState() {
 	d.mux.Unlock()
 
 	d.notifier.localAddressChanged(fqdn, ip)
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 }
 
 // MarkManagementDisconnected sets ManagementState to disconnected
 func (d *Status) MarkManagementDisconnected(err error) {
 	d.mux.Lock()
+	// Health checks re-mark the same state on every probe; skip the fan-out
+	// when nothing actually changed so we don't flood SubscribeStatus
+	// consumers with identical snapshots.
+	if !d.managementState && errors.Is(d.managementError, err) {
+		d.mux.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
 	d.managementState = false
 	d.managementError = err
 	mgm := d.managementState
@@ -840,11 +915,16 @@ func (d *Status) MarkManagementDisconnected(err error) {
 	d.mux.Unlock()
 
 	d.notifier.updateServerStates(mgm, sig)
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 }
 
 // MarkManagementConnected sets ManagementState to connected
 func (d *Status) MarkManagementConnected() {
 	d.mux.Lock()
+	if d.managementState && d.managementError == nil {
+		d.mux.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
 	d.managementState = true
 	d.managementError = nil
 	mgm := d.managementState
@@ -852,6 +932,7 @@ func (d *Status) MarkManagementConnected() {
 	d.mux.Unlock()
 
 	d.notifier.updateServerStates(mgm, sig)
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 }
 
 // UpdateSignalAddress update the address of the signal server
@@ -885,6 +966,10 @@ func (d *Status) UpdateLazyConnection(enabled bool) {
 // MarkSignalDisconnected sets SignalState to disconnected
 func (d *Status) MarkSignalDisconnected(err error) {
 	d.mux.Lock()
+	if !d.signalState && errors.Is(d.signalError, err) {
+		d.mux.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
 	d.signalState = false
 	d.signalError = err
 	mgm := d.managementState
@@ -892,11 +977,16 @@ func (d *Status) MarkSignalDisconnected(err error) {
 	d.mux.Unlock()
 
 	d.notifier.updateServerStates(mgm, sig)
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 }
 
 // MarkSignalConnected sets SignalState to connected
 func (d *Status) MarkSignalConnected() {
 	d.mux.Lock()
+	if d.signalState && d.signalError == nil {
+		d.mux.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
 	d.signalState = true
 	d.signalError = nil
 	mgm := d.managementState
@@ -904,6 +994,7 @@ func (d *Status) MarkSignalConnected() {
 	d.mux.Unlock()
 
 	d.notifier.updateServerStates(mgm, sig)
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 }
 
 func (d *Status) UpdateRelayStates(relayResults []relay.ProbeResult) {
@@ -1110,16 +1201,19 @@ func (d *Status) GetFullStatus() FullStatus {
 // ClientStart will notify all listeners about the new service state
 func (d *Status) ClientStart() {
 	d.notifier.clientStart()
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 }
 
 // ClientStop will notify all listeners about the new service state
 func (d *Status) ClientStop() {
 	d.notifier.clientStop()
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 }
 
 // ClientTeardown will notify all listeners about the service is under teardown
 func (d *Status) ClientTeardown() {
 	d.notifier.clientTearDown()
+	d.notifyStateChange()
 }
 
 // SetConnectionListener set a listener to the notifier
@@ -1261,6 +1355,79 @@ func (d *Status) GetEventHistory() []*proto.SystemEvent {
 	return d.eventQueue.GetAll()
 }
 
+// SubscribeToStateChanges hands back a channel that receives a tick on
+// every connection-state change (connected / disconnected / connecting /
+// address change / peers-list change). The channel is buffered to one
+// pending tick so a coalesced burst still wakes the consumer exactly
+// once. Pass the returned id to UnsubscribeFromStateChanges to detach.
+func (d *Status) SubscribeToStateChanges() (string, <-chan struct{}) {
+	d.stateChangeMux.Lock()
+	defer d.stateChangeMux.Unlock()
+
+	id := uuid.New().String()
+	ch := make(chan struct{}, 1)
+	d.stateChangeStreams[id] = ch
+	return id, ch
+}
+
+// UnsubscribeFromStateChanges releases a SubscribeToStateChanges channel
+// and closes it so any consumer goroutine selecting on the channel
+// unblocks cleanly.
+func (d *Status) UnsubscribeFromStateChanges(id string) {
+	d.stateChangeMux.Lock()
+	defer d.stateChangeMux.Unlock()
+
+	if ch, ok := d.stateChangeStreams[id]; ok {
+		close(ch)
+		delete(d.stateChangeStreams, id)
+	}
+}
+
+// notifyStateChange wakes every SubscribeToStateChanges subscriber. Drops
+// the tick if a subscriber's buffer is full — by definition the consumer
+// is already going to fetch the latest snapshot, so multiple pending ticks
+// would be redundant.
+func (d *Status) notifyStateChange() {
+	d.stateChangeMux.Lock()
+	defer d.stateChangeMux.Unlock()
+
+	for _, ch := range d.stateChangeStreams {
+		select {
+		case ch <- struct{}{}:
+		default:
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// NotifyStateChange is the public wake-the-subscribers entry point used by
+// callers that mutate state outside the peer recorder — most importantly
+// the connect-state machine, which writes StatusNeedsLogin into the
+// shared contextState (client/internal/state.go) without touching any
+// recorder field. Without this push the SubscribeStatus stream stays on
+// the previous snapshot until an unrelated peer/management/signal
+// change happens to fire notifyStateChange, leaving the UI's status
+// out of sync with the daemon.
+func (d *Status) NotifyStateChange() {
+	d.notifyStateChange()
+}
+
+// BumpNetworksRevision increments the routed-networks revision and wakes every
+// SubscribeStatus subscriber. The route manager calls it when a network map
+// changes the available routes or when a selection is applied — the peer
+// status itself only records actively-routed (chosen) networks, so without
+// this bump a candidate route appearing/disappearing would never reach the UI.
+func (d *Status) BumpNetworksRevision() {
+	d.networksRevision.Add(1)
+	d.notifyStateChange()
+}
+
+// GetNetworksRevision returns the current routed-networks revision, surfaced in
+// the status snapshot so the UI can detect route/selection changes (see
+// BumpNetworksRevision).
+func (d *Status) GetNetworksRevision() uint64 {
+	return d.networksRevision.Load()
+}
+
 func (d *Status) SetWgIface(wgInterface WGIfaceStatus) {
 	d.mux.Lock()
 	defer d.mux.Unlock()

client/internal/peer/status_test.go

@@ -314,3 +314,39 @@ func TestGetFullStatus(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, signalState, fullStatus.SignalState, "signal status should be equal")
 	assert.ElementsMatch(t, []State{peerState1, peerState2}, fullStatus.Peers, "peers states should match")
 }
+
+// notified reports whether a state-change tick is pending on ch, draining it.
+func notified(ch <-chan struct{}) bool {
+	select {
+	case <-ch:
+		return true
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMarkServerStateDoesNotNotifyWhenUnchanged(t *testing.T) {
+	status := NewRecorder("https://mgm")
+	_, ch := status.SubscribeToStateChanges()
+
+	// First transition is a real change and must notify.
+	status.MarkManagementConnected()
+	require.True(t, notified(ch), "first connect should notify")
+
+	// Re-marking the same state must not notify again.
+	status.MarkManagementConnected()
+	assert.False(t, notified(ch), "redundant connect should not notify")
+
+	// Same for signal.
+	status.MarkSignalConnected()
+	require.True(t, notified(ch), "first signal connect should notify")
+	status.MarkSignalConnected()
+	assert.False(t, notified(ch), "redundant signal connect should not notify")
+
+	// A genuine change (disconnect with an error) notifies again.
+	err := errors.New("boom")
+	status.MarkManagementDisconnected(err)
+	require.True(t, notified(ch), "disconnect should notify")
+	status.MarkManagementDisconnected(err)
+	assert.False(t, notified(ch), "redundant disconnect should not notify")
+}

client/internal/peer/wg_watcher.go

@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package peer
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
-	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
@@ -24,14 +23,16 @@ type WGInterfaceStater interface {
 	GetStats() (map[string]configurer.WGStats, error)
 }
 
+// WGWatcher is single-shot: one instance per connection attempt, run once, then discarded.
+// Lifecycle is owned by Conn under conn.mu, so it keeps no "enabled" state to go stale.
 type WGWatcher struct {
 	log           *log.Entry
 	wgIfaceStater WGInterfaceStater
 	peerKey       string
 	stateDump     *stateDump
 
-	enabled   bool
-	muEnabled sync.RWMutex
+	// initialHandshake is not thread-safe; never call PrepareInitialHandshake and EnableWgWatcher concurrently.
+	initialHandshake time.Time
 
 	resetCh chan struct{}
 }
@@ -46,36 +47,23 @@ func NewWGWatcher(log *log.Entry, wgIfaceStater WGInterfaceStater, peerKey strin
 	}
 }
 
-// EnableWgWatcher starts the WireGuard watcher. If it is already enabled, it will return immediately and do nothing.
-// The watcher runs until ctx is cancelled. Caller is responsible for context lifecycle management.
-func (w *WGWatcher) EnableWgWatcher(ctx context.Context, enabledTime time.Time, onDisconnectedFn func(), onHandshakeSuccessFn func(when time.Time)) {
-	w.muEnabled.Lock()
-	if w.enabled {
-		w.muEnabled.Unlock()
-		return
-	}
-
+// PrepareInitialHandshake reads the peer's current WireGuard handshake time. It must be
+// called before the peer is (re)configured on the WireGuard interface, so the captured
+// baseline reflects the state prior to this connection attempt instead of racing with
+// that configuration.
+func (w *WGWatcher) PrepareInitialHandshake() {
 	w.log.Debugf("enable WireGuard watcher")
-	w.enabled = true
-	w.muEnabled.Unlock()
-
-	initialHandshake, err := w.wgState()
-	if err != nil {
-		w.log.Warnf("failed to read initial wg stats: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	w.periodicHandshakeCheck(ctx, onDisconnectedFn, onHandshakeSuccessFn, enabledTime, initialHandshake)
-
-	w.muEnabled.Lock()
-	w.enabled = false
-	w.muEnabled.Unlock()
+	handshake, _ := w.wgState()
+	w.initialHandshake = handshake
 }
 
-// IsEnabled returns true if the WireGuard watcher is currently enabled
-func (w *WGWatcher) IsEnabled() bool {
-	w.muEnabled.RLock()
-	defer w.muEnabled.RUnlock()
-	return w.enabled
+// EnableWgWatcher runs the WireGuard watcher loop using the handshake baseline captured by
+// PrepareInitialHandshake. The watcher runs until ctx is cancelled. Caller is responsible
+// for context lifecycle management. onHandshakeSuccessFn is called only for the first
+// handshake observed by this run, onCheckSuccessFn for every check that observed a fresh
+// handshake, including the first.
+func (w *WGWatcher) EnableWgWatcher(ctx context.Context, enabledTime time.Time, onDisconnectedFn func(), onHandshakeSuccessFn func(when time.Time), onCheckSuccessFn func()) {
+	w.periodicHandshakeCheck(ctx, onDisconnectedFn, onHandshakeSuccessFn, onCheckSuccessFn, enabledTime, w.initialHandshake)
 }
 
 // Reset signals the watcher that the WireGuard peer has been reset and a new
@@ -88,7 +76,7 @@ func (w *WGWatcher) Reset() {
 }
 
 // wgStateCheck help to check the state of the WireGuard handshake and relay connection
-func (w *WGWatcher) periodicHandshakeCheck(ctx context.Context, onDisconnectedFn func(), onHandshakeSuccessFn func(when time.Time), enabledTime time.Time, initialHandshake time.Time) {
+func (w *WGWatcher) periodicHandshakeCheck(ctx context.Context, onDisconnectedFn func(), onHandshakeSuccessFn func(when time.Time), onCheckSuccessFn func(), enabledTime time.Time, initialHandshake time.Time) {
 	w.log.Infof("WireGuard watcher started")
 
 	timer := time.NewTimer(wgHandshakeOvertime)
@@ -101,17 +89,25 @@ func (w *WGWatcher) periodicHandshakeCheck(ctx context.Context, onDisconnectedFn
 		case <-timer.C:
 			handshake, ok := w.handshakeCheck(lastHandshake)
 			if !ok {
+				// early ctx cancel check return
+				if ctx.Err() != nil {
+					return
+				}
 				onDisconnectedFn()
 				return
 			}
 			if lastHandshake.IsZero() {
 				elapsed := calcElapsed(enabledTime, *handshake)
 				w.log.Infof("first wg handshake detected within: %.2fsec, (%s)", elapsed, handshake)
-				if onHandshakeSuccessFn != nil {
+				if onHandshakeSuccessFn != nil && ctx.Err() == nil {
 					onHandshakeSuccessFn(*handshake)
 				}
 			}
 
+			if onCheckSuccessFn != nil && ctx.Err() == nil {
+				onCheckSuccessFn()
+			}
+
 			lastHandshake = *handshake
 
 			resetTime := time.Until(handshake.Add(checkPeriod))
@@ -142,9 +138,9 @@ func (w *WGWatcher) handshakeCheck(lastHandshake time.Time) (*time.Time, bool) {
 
 	w.log.Tracef("previous handshake, handshake: %v, %v", lastHandshake, handshake)
 
-	// the current know handshake did not change
+	// the current known handshake did not change
 	if handshake.Equal(lastHandshake) {
-		w.log.Warnf("WireGuard handshake timed out: %v", handshake)
+		w.log.Warnf("WireGuard handshake not updated: %v", handshake)
 		return nil, false
 	}
 

client/internal/peer/wg_watcher_test.go

@@ -23,6 +23,72 @@ func (m *MocWgIface) disconnect() {
 	m.stop = true
 }
 
+type mockHandshakeStats struct {
+	mu        sync.Mutex
+	handshake time.Time
+}
+
+func (m *mockHandshakeStats) GetStats() (map[string]configurer.WGStats, error) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	return map[string]configurer.WGStats{"": {LastHandshake: m.handshake}}, nil
+}
+
+func (m *mockHandshakeStats) advance() {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	m.handshake = time.Now()
+}
+
+// TestWGWatcher_CheckSuccessCallback: onCheckSuccessFn must fire for a fresh
+// handshake even when the watcher started with an existing handshake baseline,
+// the case where onHandshakeSuccessFn stays silent.
+func TestWGWatcher_CheckSuccessCallback(t *testing.T) {
+	// checkPeriod bounds how stale a handshake may be before the watcher treats it
+	// as a suspended-machine timeout. The first check fires after wgHandshakeOvertime,
+	// so keep checkPeriod well above any scheduling jitter to avoid a false timeout
+	// converting the expected success into a disconnect on a loaded runner.
+	checkPeriod = 1 * time.Minute
+	wgHandshakeOvertime = 1 * time.Second
+
+	mlog := log.WithField("peer", "tet")
+	// Use an old baseline so advance() yields a strictly newer handshake even on
+	// platforms with coarse clock resolution (Windows), where two time.Now() calls
+	// microseconds apart can return the same instant and read as a timed-out handshake.
+	stats := &mockHandshakeStats{handshake: time.Now().Add(-time.Hour)}
+	watcher := NewWGWatcher(mlog, stats, "", newStateDump("peer", mlog, &Status{}))
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+
+	watcher.PrepareInitialHandshake()
+
+	firstHandshake := make(chan struct{}, 1)
+	checkSuccess := make(chan struct{}, 1)
+	go watcher.EnableWgWatcher(ctx, time.Now(), func() {}, func(when time.Time) {
+		firstHandshake <- struct{}{}
+	}, func() {
+		select {
+		case checkSuccess <- struct{}{}:
+		default:
+		}
+	})
+
+	stats.advance()
+
+	select {
+	case <-checkSuccess:
+	case <-time.After(10 * time.Second):
+		t.Errorf("timeout waiting for check success callback")
+	}
+
+	select {
+	case <-firstHandshake:
+		t.Errorf("first-handshake callback must not fire for a non-zero baseline")
+	default:
+	}
+}
+
 func TestWGWatcher_EnableWgWatcher(t *testing.T) {
 	checkPeriod = 5 * time.Second
 	wgHandshakeOvertime = 1 * time.Second
@@ -34,13 +100,15 @@ func TestWGWatcher_EnableWgWatcher(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	defer cancel()
 
+	watcher.PrepareInitialHandshake()
+
 	onDisconnected := make(chan struct{}, 1)
 	go watcher.EnableWgWatcher(ctx, time.Now(), func() {
 		mlog.Infof("onDisconnectedFn")
 		onDisconnected <- struct{}{}
 	}, func(when time.Time) {
 		mlog.Infof("onHandshakeSuccess: %v", when)
-	})
+	}, nil)
 
 	// wait for initial reading
 	time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
@@ -62,11 +130,13 @@ func TestWGWatcher_ReEnable(t *testing.T) {
 	watcher := NewWGWatcher(mlog, mocWgIface, "", newStateDump("peer", mlog, &Status{}))
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	watcher.PrepareInitialHandshake()
+
 	wg := &sync.WaitGroup{}
 	wg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		defer wg.Done()
-		watcher.EnableWgWatcher(ctx, time.Now(), func() {}, func(when time.Time) {})
+		watcher.EnableWgWatcher(ctx, time.Now(), func() {}, func(when time.Time) {}, nil)
 	}()
 	cancel()
 
@@ -76,10 +146,12 @@ func TestWGWatcher_ReEnable(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx, cancel = context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	defer cancel()
 
+	watcher.PrepareInitialHandshake()
+
 	onDisconnected := make(chan struct{}, 1)
 	go watcher.EnableWgWatcher(ctx, time.Now(), func() {
 		onDisconnected <- struct{}{}
-	}, func(when time.Time) {})
+	}, func(when time.Time) {}, nil)
 
 	time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
 	mocWgIface.disconnect()

client/internal/peerstore/store.go

@@ -88,11 +88,24 @@ func (s *Store) PeerConnOpen(ctx context.Context, pubKey string) {
 	if !ok {
 		return
 	}
-	// this can be blocked because of the connect open limiter semaphore
 	if err := p.Open(ctx); err != nil {
 		p.Log.Errorf("failed to open peer connection: %v", err)
 	}
+}
 
+// PeerConnOpenWithFirstPacket opens the peer connection and stashes a first packet to be
+// reinjected once the real transport is established.
+func (s *Store) PeerConnOpenWithFirstPacket(ctx context.Context, pubKey string, firstPacket []byte) {
+	s.peerConnsMu.RLock()
+	defer s.peerConnsMu.RUnlock()
+
+	p, ok := s.peerConns[pubKey]
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	if err := p.OpenWithFirstPacket(ctx, firstPacket); err != nil {
+		p.Log.Errorf("failed to open peer connection: %v", err)
+	}
 }
 
 func (s *Store) PeerConnIdle(pubKey string) {

client/internal/profilemanager/config.go

@@ -101,8 +101,6 @@ type ConfigInput struct {
 
 	DNSLabels domain.List
 
-	LazyConnectionEnabled *bool
-
 	MTU *uint16
 }
 
@@ -180,7 +178,9 @@ type Config struct {
 
 	ClientCertKeyPair *tls.Certificate `json:"-"`
 
-	LazyConnectionEnabled bool
+	// LazyConnection is the MDM-managed lazy-connection override ("on"/"off"/"").
+	// Runtime-only: re-derived from MDM policy on each load, never persisted.
+	LazyConnection string `json:"-"`
 
 	MTU uint16
 
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.NetworkMonitor != nil && input.NetworkMonitor != config.NetworkMonitor {
+	if input.NetworkMonitor != nil && (config.NetworkMonitor == nil || *input.NetworkMonitor != *config.NetworkMonitor) {
 		log.Infof("switching Network Monitor to %t", *input.NetworkMonitor)
 		config.NetworkMonitor = input.NetworkMonitor
 		updated = true
@@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.EnableSSHRoot != nil && input.EnableSSHRoot != config.EnableSSHRoot {
+	if input.EnableSSHRoot != nil && (config.EnableSSHRoot == nil || *input.EnableSSHRoot != *config.EnableSSHRoot) {
 		if *input.EnableSSHRoot {
 			log.Infof("enabling SSH root login")
 		} else {
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.EnableSSHSFTP != nil && input.EnableSSHSFTP != config.EnableSSHSFTP {
+	if input.EnableSSHSFTP != nil && (config.EnableSSHSFTP == nil || *input.EnableSSHSFTP != *config.EnableSSHSFTP) {
 		if *input.EnableSSHSFTP {
 			log.Infof("enabling SSH SFTP subsystem")
 		} else {
@@ -474,7 +474,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding != nil && input.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding != config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding {
+	if input.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding != nil && (config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding == nil || *input.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding != *config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding) {
 		if *input.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding {
 			log.Infof("enabling SSH local port forwarding")
 		} else {
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding != nil && input.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding != config.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding {
+	if input.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding != nil && (config.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding == nil || *input.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding != *config.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding) {
 		if *input.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding {
 			log.Infof("enabling SSH remote port forwarding")
 		} else {
@@ -494,7 +494,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.DisableSSHAuth != nil && input.DisableSSHAuth != config.DisableSSHAuth {
+	if input.DisableSSHAuth != nil && (config.DisableSSHAuth == nil || *input.DisableSSHAuth != *config.DisableSSHAuth) {
 		if *input.DisableSSHAuth {
 			log.Infof("disabling SSH authentication")
 		} else {
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.SSHJWTCacheTTL != nil && input.SSHJWTCacheTTL != config.SSHJWTCacheTTL {
+	if input.SSHJWTCacheTTL != nil && (config.SSHJWTCacheTTL == nil || *input.SSHJWTCacheTTL != *config.SSHJWTCacheTTL) {
 		log.Infof("updating SSH JWT cache TTL to %d seconds", *input.SSHJWTCacheTTL)
 		config.SSHJWTCacheTTL = input.SSHJWTCacheTTL
 		updated = true
@@ -587,7 +587,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.DisableNotifications != nil && input.DisableNotifications != config.DisableNotifications {
+	if input.DisableNotifications != nil && (config.DisableNotifications == nil || *input.DisableNotifications != *config.DisableNotifications) {
 		if *input.DisableNotifications {
 			log.Infof("disabling notifications")
 		} else {
@@ -632,12 +632,6 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.LazyConnectionEnabled != nil && *input.LazyConnectionEnabled != config.LazyConnectionEnabled {
-		log.Infof("switching lazy connection to %t", *input.LazyConnectionEnabled)
-		config.LazyConnectionEnabled = *input.LazyConnectionEnabled
-		updated = true
-	}
-
 	if input.MTU != nil && *input.MTU != config.MTU {
 		log.Infof("updating MTU to %d (old value %d)", *input.MTU, config.MTU)
 		config.MTU = *input.MTU
@@ -728,6 +722,15 @@ func (config *Config) applyMDMPolicy(policy *mdm.Policy) {
 			log.Warnf("MDM wireguard port %d out of range [1,65535]; keeping previous value", v)
 		}
 	}
+
+	if v, ok := policy.GetBool(mdm.KeyLazyConnection); ok {
+		state := "off"
+		if v {
+			state = "on"
+		}
+		config.LazyConnection = state
+		logApplied(mdm.KeyLazyConnection, state)
+	}
 }
 
 // parseURL parses and validates the URL for the named service. The URL

client/internal/profilemanager/config_mdm_test.go

@@ -130,6 +130,37 @@ func TestApply_MDMBoolKeysOverrideOnDiskValue(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.True(t, cfg.Policy().HasKey(mdm.KeyRosenpassEnabled))
 }
 
+func TestApply_MDMLazyConnection(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		name string
+		raw  any
+		want string
+	}{
+		{"native true", true, "on"},
+		{"native false", false, "off"},
+		{"string on", "on", "on"},
+		{"string off", "off", "off"},
+		{"string yes", "yes", "on"},
+		{"string no", "no", "off"},
+	}
+	for _, c := range cases {
+		t.Run(c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			withMDMPolicy(t, mdm.NewPolicy(map[string]any{
+				mdm.KeyLazyConnection: c.raw,
+			}))
+
+			cfg, err := UpdateOrCreateConfig(ConfigInput{
+				ConfigPath: filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "config.json"),
+			})
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			require.NotNil(t, cfg)
+
+			assert.Equal(t, c.want, cfg.LazyConnection)
+			assert.True(t, cfg.Policy().HasKey(mdm.KeyLazyConnection))
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestApply_MDMPreSharedKeyRedactionSentinelRejected(t *testing.T) {
 	const maskSentinel = "**********"
 

client/internal/profilemanager/service.go

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"runtime"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
+	"syscall"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
@@ -439,7 +440,11 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) GetStatePath() string {
 
 	activeProf, err := s.GetActiveProfileState()
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("failed to get active profile state: %v", err)
+		if errors.Is(err, syscall.ENOSYS) {
+			log.Debugf("active profile state unavailable on this platform: %v", err)
+		} else {
+			log.Warnf("failed to get active profile state: %v", err)
+		}
 		return defaultStatePath
 	}
 

client/internal/profilemanager/state.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
@@ -71,3 +72,22 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) SetActiveProfileState(state *ProfileState) error {
 
 	return nil
 }
+
+// RemoveProfileState deletes the per-profile state file (which holds the
+// account email used for the SSO login hint and the UI display). Called after
+// a successful logout so a logged-out profile no longer shows a stale account
+// email. The state file only stores the email, so deleting it is equivalent to
+// clearing it; the next SSO login recreates it. A missing file is not an error.
+func (pm *ProfileManager) RemoveProfileState(profileName string) error {
+	configDir, err := getConfigDir()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("get config directory: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	stateFile := filepath.Join(configDir, profileName+".state.json")
+	if err := os.Remove(stateFile); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("remove profile state: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}

client/internal/rosenpass/manager.go

@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ type rpServer interface {
 
 type Manager struct {
 	ifaceName    string
+	localWgKey   wgtypes.Key
 	spk          []byte
 	ssk          []byte
 	rpKeyHash    string
@@ -51,8 +52,9 @@ type Manager struct {
 	wgIface      PresharedKeySetter
 }
 
-// NewManager creates a new Rosenpass manager
-func NewManager(preSharedKey *wgtypes.Key, wgIfaceName string) (*Manager, error) {
+// NewManager creates a new Rosenpass manager. localWgKey is the local
+// WireGuard public key, used to derive the per-peer rendezvous key.
+func NewManager(preSharedKey *wgtypes.Key, wgIfaceName string, localWgKey wgtypes.Key) (*Manager, error) {
 	public, secret, err := rp.GenerateKeyPair()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -62,6 +64,7 @@ func NewManager(preSharedKey *wgtypes.Key, wgIfaceName string) (*Manager, error)
 	log.Tracef("generated new rosenpass key pair with public key %s", rpKeyHash)
 	return &Manager{
 		ifaceName:    wgIfaceName,
+		localWgKey:   localWgKey,
 		rpKeyHash:    rpKeyHash,
 		spk:          public,
 		ssk:          secret,
@@ -73,7 +76,7 @@ func NewManager(preSharedKey *wgtypes.Key, wgIfaceName string) (*Manager, error)
 		// nil receiver in addPeer -> m.rpWgHandler.AddPeer. generateConfig will
 		// replace it with a fresh handler on each Run() to clear stale peer
 		// state from previous engine sessions.
-		rpWgHandler: NewNetbirdHandler(),
+		rpWgHandler: NewNetbirdHandler((*[32]byte)(preSharedKey), localWgKey),
 		lock:        sync.Mutex{},
 	}, nil
 }
@@ -161,7 +164,7 @@ func (m *Manager) generateConfig() (rp.Config, error) {
 	cfg.Peers = []rp.PeerConfig{}
 
 	m.lock.Lock()
-	m.rpWgHandler = NewNetbirdHandler()
+	m.rpWgHandler = NewNetbirdHandler(m.preSharedKey, m.localWgKey)
 	if m.wgIface != nil {
 		m.rpWgHandler.SetInterface(m.wgIface)
 	}

client/internal/rosenpass/manager_test.go

@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ func newTestManager(spkFirstByte byte, mock *mockServer) *Manager {
 		ssk:         make([]byte, 32),
 		rpKeyHash:   "test-hash",
 		rpPeerIDs:   make(map[string]*rp.PeerID),
-		rpWgHandler: NewNetbirdHandler(),
+		rpWgHandler: NewNetbirdHandler(nil, wgtypes.Key{0x01}),
 		server:      mock,
 	}
 }
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ func TestAddPeer_NilServer_ReturnsErrorNoCrash(t *testing.T) {
 // issue #4341 cannot occur in the window between NewManager and Run().
 func TestNewManager_PreInitializesHandler(t *testing.T) {
 	psk := wgtypes.Key{}
-	m, err := NewManager(&psk, "wt0")
+	m, err := NewManager(&psk, "wt0", wgtypes.Key{0x01})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.NotNil(t, m.rpWgHandler, "rpWgHandler must be initialized in NewManager")
 }
@@ -329,10 +329,10 @@ func TestIsPresharedKeyInitialized_AddedButNotHandshaken_ReturnsFalse(t *testing
 	require.False(t, m.IsPresharedKeyInitialized(wgKey))
 }
 
-// --- NetbirdHandler.outputKey ----------------------------------------------
+// --- NetbirdHandler.applyKey ----------------------------------------------
 
-func TestHandler_OutputKey_FirstCallUsesUpdateOnlyFalse(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewNetbirdHandler()
+func TestHandler_ApplyKey_FirstCallUsesUpdateOnlyFalse(t *testing.T) {
+	h := NewNetbirdHandler(nil, wgtypes.Key{0x01})
 	iface := &mockIface{}
 	h.SetInterface(iface)
 
@@ -348,8 +348,8 @@ func TestHandler_OutputKey_FirstCallUsesUpdateOnlyFalse(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, wgKey.String(), iface.calls[0].peerKey)
 }
 
-func TestHandler_OutputKey_SubsequentCallsUseUpdateOnlyTrue(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewNetbirdHandler()
+func TestHandler_ApplyKey_SubsequentCallsUseUpdateOnlyTrue(t *testing.T) {
+	h := NewNetbirdHandler(nil, wgtypes.Key{0x01})
 	iface := &mockIface{}
 	h.SetInterface(iface)
 
@@ -364,8 +364,8 @@ func TestHandler_OutputKey_SubsequentCallsUseUpdateOnlyTrue(t *testing.T) {
 	require.True(t, iface.calls[1].updateOnly, "subsequent rotations must use updateOnly=true")
 }
 
-func TestHandler_OutputKey_NilInterface_NoCrashNoCall(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewNetbirdHandler()
+func TestHandler_ApplyKey_NilInterface_NoCrashNoCall(t *testing.T) {
+	h := NewNetbirdHandler(nil, wgtypes.Key{0x01})
 	// no SetInterface — iface remains nil
 	pid := rp.PeerID{0x03}
 	h.AddPeer(pid, "wt0", rp.Key(wgtypes.Key{}))
@@ -374,8 +374,8 @@ func TestHandler_OutputKey_NilInterface_NoCrashNoCall(t *testing.T) {
 	h.HandshakeCompleted(pid, rp.Key{})
 }
 
-func TestHandler_OutputKey_UnknownPeer_NoCall(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewNetbirdHandler()
+func TestHandler_ApplyKey_UnknownPeer_NoCall(t *testing.T) {
+	h := NewNetbirdHandler(nil, wgtypes.Key{0x01})
 	iface := &mockIface{}
 	h.SetInterface(iface)
 
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ func TestHandler_OutputKey_UnknownPeer_NoCall(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandler_RemovePeer_ClearsInitializedState(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewNetbirdHandler()
+	h := NewNetbirdHandler(nil, wgtypes.Key{0x01})
 	iface := &mockIface{}
 	h.SetInterface(iface)
 
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ func TestHandler_RemovePeer_ClearsInitializedState(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandler_SetInterfaceAfterAddPeer_StillReceivesKey(t *testing.T) {
-	h := NewNetbirdHandler()
+	h := NewNetbirdHandler(nil, wgtypes.Key{0x01})
 	pid := rp.PeerID{0x05}
 	wgKey := wgtypes.Key{0xEE}
 	h.AddPeer(pid, "wt0", rp.Key(wgKey))