[management] unify peer-update test timeout via constant

peerShouldReceiveUpdate waited 500ms for the expected update message,
and every outer wrapper across the management/server test suite paired
it with a 1s goroutine-drain timeout. Both were too tight for slower
CI runners (MySQL, FreeBSD, loaded sqlite), producing intermittent
"Timed out waiting for update message" failures in tests like
TestDNSAccountPeersUpdate, TestPeerAccountPeersUpdate, and
TestNameServerAccountPeersUpdate.

Introduce peerUpdateTimeout (5s) next to the helper and use it both in
the helper and in every outer wrapper so the two timeouts stay in sync.
Only runs down on failure; passing tests return as soon as the channel
delivers, so there is no slowdown on green runs.

client/internal/engine.go

@@ -570,7 +570,7 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 	e.connMgr.Start(e.ctx)
 
 	e.srWatcher = guard.NewSRWatcher(e.signal, e.relayManager, e.mobileDep.IFaceDiscover, iceCfg)
-	e.srWatcher.Start()
+	e.srWatcher.Start(peer.IsForceRelayed())
 
 	e.receiveSignalEvents()
 	e.receiveManagementEvents()

client/internal/peer/conn.go

@@ -185,17 +185,20 @@ func (conn *Conn) Open(engineCtx context.Context) error {
 
 	conn.workerRelay = NewWorkerRelay(conn.ctx, conn.Log, isController(conn.config), conn.config, conn, conn.relayManager)
 
-	relayIsSupportedLocally := conn.workerRelay.RelayIsSupportedLocally()
+	forceRelay := IsForceRelayed()
-	workerICE, err := NewWorkerICE(conn.ctx, conn.Log, conn.config, conn, conn.signaler, conn.iFaceDiscover, conn.statusRecorder, relayIsSupportedLocally)
+	if !forceRelay {
-	if err != nil {
+		relayIsSupportedLocally := conn.workerRelay.RelayIsSupportedLocally()
-		return err
+		workerICE, err := NewWorkerICE(conn.ctx, conn.Log, conn.config, conn, conn.signaler, conn.iFaceDiscover, conn.statusRecorder, relayIsSupportedLocally)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		conn.workerICE = workerICE
 	}
-	conn.workerICE = workerICE
 
 	conn.handshaker = NewHandshaker(conn.Log, conn.config, conn.signaler, conn.workerICE, conn.workerRelay, conn.metricsStages)
 
 	conn.handshaker.AddRelayListener(conn.workerRelay.OnNewOffer)
-	if !isForceRelayed() {
+	if !forceRelay {
 		conn.handshaker.AddICEListener(conn.workerICE.OnNewOffer)
 	}
 
@@ -251,7 +254,9 @@ func (conn *Conn) Close(signalToRemote bool) {
 		conn.wgWatcherCancel()
 	}
 	conn.workerRelay.CloseConn()
-	conn.workerICE.Close()
+	if conn.workerICE != nil {
+		conn.workerICE.Close()
+	}
 
 	if conn.wgProxyRelay != nil {
 		err := conn.wgProxyRelay.CloseConn()
@@ -294,7 +299,9 @@ func (conn *Conn) OnRemoteAnswer(answer OfferAnswer) {
 // OnRemoteCandidate Handles ICE connection Candidate provided by the remote peer.
 func (conn *Conn) OnRemoteCandidate(candidate ice.Candidate, haRoutes route.HAMap) {
 	conn.dumpState.RemoteCandidate()
-	conn.workerICE.OnRemoteCandidate(candidate, haRoutes)
+	if conn.workerICE != nil {
+		conn.workerICE.OnRemoteCandidate(candidate, haRoutes)
+	}
 }
 
 // SetOnConnected sets a handler function to be triggered by Conn when a new connection to a remote peer established
@@ -712,33 +719,35 @@ func (conn *Conn) evalStatus() ConnStatus {
 	return StatusConnecting
 }
 
-func (conn *Conn) isConnectedOnAllWay() (connected bool) {
+// isConnectedOnAllWay evaluates the overall connection status based on ICE and Relay transports.
-	// would be better to protect this with a mutex, but it could cause deadlock with Close function
+//
-
+// The result is a tri-state:
+//   - ConnStatusConnected:          all available transports are up
+//   - ConnStatusPartiallyConnected: relay is up but ICE is still pending/reconnecting
+//   - ConnStatusDisconnected:       no working transport
+func (conn *Conn) isConnectedOnAllWay() (status guard.ConnStatus) {
 	defer func() {
-		if !connected {
+		if status == guard.ConnStatusDisconnected {
 			conn.logTraceConnState()
 		}
 	}()
 
-	// For JS platform: only relay connection is supported
+	iceWorkerCreated := conn.workerICE != nil
-	if runtime.GOOS == "js" {
+
-		return conn.statusRelay.Get() == worker.StatusConnected
+	var iceInProgress bool
+	if iceWorkerCreated {
+		iceInProgress = conn.workerICE.InProgress()
 	}
 
-	// For non-JS platforms: check ICE connection status
+	return evalConnStatus(connStatusInputs{
-	if conn.statusICE.Get() == worker.StatusDisconnected && !conn.workerICE.InProgress() {
+		forceRelay:          IsForceRelayed(),
-		return false
+		peerUsesRelay:       conn.workerRelay.IsRelayConnectionSupportedWithPeer(),
-	}
+		relayConnected:      conn.statusRelay.Get() == worker.StatusConnected,
-
+		remoteSupportsICE:   conn.handshaker.RemoteICESupported(),
-	// If relay is supported with peer, it must also be connected
+		iceWorkerCreated:    iceWorkerCreated,
-	if conn.workerRelay.IsRelayConnectionSupportedWithPeer() {
+		iceStatusConnecting: conn.statusICE.Get() != worker.StatusDisconnected,
-		if conn.statusRelay.Get() == worker.StatusDisconnected {
+		iceInProgress:       iceInProgress,
-			return false
+	})
-		}
-	}
-
-	return true
 }
 
 func (conn *Conn) enableWgWatcherIfNeeded(enabledTime time.Time) {
@@ -926,3 +935,43 @@ func isController(config ConnConfig) bool {
 func isRosenpassEnabled(remoteRosenpassPubKey []byte) bool {
 	return remoteRosenpassPubKey != nil
 }
+
+func evalConnStatus(in connStatusInputs) guard.ConnStatus {
+	// "Relay up and needed" — the peer uses relay and the transport is connected.
+	relayUsedAndUp := in.peerUsesRelay && in.relayConnected
+
+	// Force-relay mode: ICE never runs. Relay is the only transport and must be up.
+	if in.forceRelay {
+		return boolToConnStatus(relayUsedAndUp)
+	}
+
+	// Remote peer doesn't support ICE, or we haven't created the worker yet:
+	// relay is the only possible transport.
+	if !in.remoteSupportsICE || !in.iceWorkerCreated {
+		return boolToConnStatus(relayUsedAndUp)
+	}
+
+	// ICE counts as "up" when the status is anything other than Disconnected, OR
+	// when a negotiation is currently in progress (so we don't spam offers while one is in flight).
+	iceUp := in.iceStatusConnecting || in.iceInProgress
+
+	// Relay side is acceptable if the peer doesn't rely on relay, or relay is connected.
+	relayOK := !in.peerUsesRelay || in.relayConnected
+
+	switch {
+	case iceUp && relayOK:
+		return guard.ConnStatusConnected
+	case relayUsedAndUp:
+		// Relay is up but ICE is down — partially connected.
+		return guard.ConnStatusPartiallyConnected
+	default:
+		return guard.ConnStatusDisconnected
+	}
+}
+
+func boolToConnStatus(connected bool) guard.ConnStatus {
+	if connected {
+		return guard.ConnStatusConnected
+	}
+	return guard.ConnStatusDisconnected
+}

client/internal/peer/conn_status.go

@@ -13,6 +13,20 @@ const (
 	StatusConnected
 )
 
+// connStatusInputs is the primitive-valued snapshot of the state that drives the
+// tri-state connection classification. Extracted so the decision logic can be unit-tested
+// without constructing full Worker/Handshaker objects.
+type connStatusInputs struct {
+	forceRelay          bool // NB_FORCE_RELAY or JS/WASM
+	peerUsesRelay       bool // remote peer advertises relay support AND local has relay
+	relayConnected      bool // statusRelay reports Connected (independent of whether peer uses relay)
+	remoteSupportsICE   bool // remote peer sent ICE credentials
+	iceWorkerCreated    bool // local WorkerICE exists (false in force-relay mode)
+	iceStatusConnecting bool // statusICE is anything other than Disconnected
+	iceInProgress       bool // a negotiation is currently in flight
+}
+
+
 // ConnStatus describe the status of a peer's connection
 type ConnStatus int32
 

client/internal/peer/conn_status_eval_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,201 @@
+package peer
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer/guard"
+)
+
+func TestEvalConnStatus_ForceRelay(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		in   connStatusInputs
+		want guard.ConnStatus
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "force relay, peer uses relay, relay up",
+			in: connStatusInputs{
+				forceRelay:     true,
+				peerUsesRelay:  true,
+				relayConnected: true,
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusConnected,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "force relay, peer uses relay, relay down",
+			in: connStatusInputs{
+				forceRelay:     true,
+				peerUsesRelay:  true,
+				relayConnected: false,
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusDisconnected,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "force relay, peer does NOT use relay - disconnected forever",
+			in: connStatusInputs{
+				forceRelay:     true,
+				peerUsesRelay:  false,
+				relayConnected: true,
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusDisconnected,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if got := evalConnStatus(tc.in); got != tc.want {
+				t.Fatalf("evalConnStatus = %v, want %v", got, tc.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEvalConnStatus_ICEUnavailable(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		in   connStatusInputs
+		want guard.ConnStatus
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "remote does not support ICE, peer uses relay, relay up",
+			in: connStatusInputs{
+				peerUsesRelay:     true,
+				relayConnected:    true,
+				remoteSupportsICE: false,
+				iceWorkerCreated:  true,
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusConnected,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "remote does not support ICE, peer uses relay, relay down",
+			in: connStatusInputs{
+				peerUsesRelay:     true,
+				relayConnected:    false,
+				remoteSupportsICE: false,
+				iceWorkerCreated:  true,
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusDisconnected,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "ICE worker not yet created, relay up",
+			in: connStatusInputs{
+				peerUsesRelay:     true,
+				relayConnected:    true,
+				remoteSupportsICE: true,
+				iceWorkerCreated:  false,
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusConnected,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "remote does not support ICE, peer does not use relay",
+			in: connStatusInputs{
+				peerUsesRelay:     false,
+				relayConnected:    false,
+				remoteSupportsICE: false,
+				iceWorkerCreated:  true,
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusDisconnected,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if got := evalConnStatus(tc.in); got != tc.want {
+				t.Fatalf("evalConnStatus = %v, want %v", got, tc.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEvalConnStatus_FullyAvailable(t *testing.T) {
+	base := connStatusInputs{
+		remoteSupportsICE: true,
+		iceWorkerCreated:  true,
+	}
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		mutator func(*connStatusInputs)
+		want    guard.ConnStatus
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "ICE connected, relay connected, peer uses relay",
+			mutator: func(in *connStatusInputs) {
+				in.peerUsesRelay = true
+				in.relayConnected = true
+				in.iceStatusConnecting = true
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusConnected,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "ICE connected, peer does NOT use relay",
+			mutator: func(in *connStatusInputs) {
+				in.peerUsesRelay = false
+				in.relayConnected = false
+				in.iceStatusConnecting = true
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusConnected,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "ICE InProgress only, peer does NOT use relay",
+			mutator: func(in *connStatusInputs) {
+				in.peerUsesRelay = false
+				in.iceStatusConnecting = false
+				in.iceInProgress = true
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusConnected,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "ICE down, relay up, peer uses relay -> partial",
+			mutator: func(in *connStatusInputs) {
+				in.peerUsesRelay = true
+				in.relayConnected = true
+				in.iceStatusConnecting = false
+				in.iceInProgress = false
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusPartiallyConnected,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "ICE down, peer does NOT use relay -> disconnected",
+			mutator: func(in *connStatusInputs) {
+				in.peerUsesRelay = false
+				in.relayConnected = false
+				in.iceStatusConnecting = false
+				in.iceInProgress = false
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusDisconnected,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "ICE up, peer uses relay but relay down -> partial (relay required, ICE ignored)",
+			mutator: func(in *connStatusInputs) {
+				in.peerUsesRelay = true
+				in.relayConnected = false
+				in.iceStatusConnecting = true
+			},
+			// relayOK = false (peer uses relay but it's down), iceUp = true
+			// first switch arm fails (relayOK false), relayUsedAndUp = false (relay down),
+			// falls into default: Disconnected.
+			want: guard.ConnStatusDisconnected,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "ICE down, relay up but peer does not use relay -> disconnected",
+			mutator: func(in *connStatusInputs) {
+				in.peerUsesRelay = false
+				in.relayConnected = true // not actually used since peer doesn't rely on it
+				in.iceStatusConnecting = false
+				in.iceInProgress = false
+			},
+			want: guard.ConnStatusDisconnected,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			in := base
+			tc.mutator(&in)
+			if got := evalConnStatus(in); got != tc.want {
+				t.Fatalf("evalConnStatus = %v, want %v (inputs: %+v)", got, tc.want, in)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

client/internal/peer/env.go

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const (
 	EnvKeyNBForceRelay = "NB_FORCE_RELAY"
 )
 
-func isForceRelayed() bool {
+func IsForceRelayed() bool {
 	if runtime.GOOS == "js" {
 		return true
 	}

client/internal/peer/guard/guard.go

@@ -8,7 +8,19 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
-type isConnectedFunc func() bool
+// ConnStatus represents the connection state as seen by the guard.
+type ConnStatus int
+
+const (
+	// ConnStatusDisconnected means neither ICE nor Relay is connected.
+	ConnStatusDisconnected ConnStatus = iota
+	// ConnStatusPartiallyConnected means Relay is connected but ICE is not.
+	ConnStatusPartiallyConnected
+	// ConnStatusConnected means all required connections are established.
+	ConnStatusConnected
+)
+
+type connStatusFunc func() ConnStatus
 
 // Guard is responsible for the reconnection logic.
 // It will trigger to send an offer to the peer then has connection issues.
@@ -20,14 +32,14 @@ type isConnectedFunc func() bool
 // - ICE candidate changes
 type Guard struct {
 	log                     *log.Entry
-	isConnectedOnAllWay     isConnectedFunc
+	isConnectedOnAllWay     connStatusFunc
 	timeout                 time.Duration
 	srWatcher               *SRWatcher
 	relayedConnDisconnected chan struct{}
 	iCEConnDisconnected     chan struct{}
 }
 
-func NewGuard(log *log.Entry, isConnectedFn isConnectedFunc, timeout time.Duration, srWatcher *SRWatcher) *Guard {
+func NewGuard(log *log.Entry, isConnectedFn connStatusFunc, timeout time.Duration, srWatcher *SRWatcher) *Guard {
 	return &Guard{
 		log:                     log,
 		isConnectedOnAllWay:     isConnectedFn,
@@ -57,8 +69,17 @@ func (g *Guard) SetICEConnDisconnected() {
 	}
 }
 
-// reconnectLoopWithRetry periodically check the connection status.
+// reconnectLoopWithRetry periodically checks the connection status and sends offers to re-establish connectivity.
-// Try to send offer while the P2P is not established or while the Relay is not connected if is it supported
+//
+// Behavior depends on the connection state reported by isConnectedOnAllWay:
+//   - Connected: no action, the peer is fully reachable.
+//   - Disconnected (neither ICE nor Relay): retries aggressively with exponential backoff (800ms doubling
+//     up to timeout), never gives up. This ensures rapid recovery when the peer has no connectivity at all.
+//   - PartiallyConnected (Relay up, ICE not): retries up to 3 times with exponential backoff, then switches
+//     to one attempt per hour. This limits signaling traffic when relay already provides connectivity.
+//
+// External events (relay/ICE disconnect, signal/relay reconnect, candidate changes) reset the retry
+// counter and backoff ticker, giving ICE a fresh chance after network conditions change.
 func (g *Guard) reconnectLoopWithRetry(ctx context.Context, callback func()) {
 	srReconnectedChan := g.srWatcher.NewListener()
 	defer g.srWatcher.RemoveListener(srReconnectedChan)
@@ -68,36 +89,47 @@ func (g *Guard) reconnectLoopWithRetry(ctx context.Context, callback func()) {
 
 	tickerChannel := ticker.C
 
+	iceState := &iceRetryState{log: g.log}
+	defer iceState.reset()
+
 	for {
 		select {
-		case t := <-tickerChannel:
+		case <-tickerChannel:
-			if t.IsZero() {
+			switch g.isConnectedOnAllWay() {
-				g.log.Infof("retry timed out, stop periodic offer sending")
+			case ConnStatusConnected:
-				// after backoff timeout the ticker.C will be closed. We need to a dummy channel to avoid loop
+				// all good, nothing to do
-				tickerChannel = make(<-chan time.Time)
+			case ConnStatusDisconnected:
-				continue
+				callback()
+			case ConnStatusPartiallyConnected:
+				if iceState.shouldRetry() {
+					callback()
+				} else {
+					iceState.enterHourlyMode()
+					ticker.Stop()
+					tickerChannel = iceState.hourlyC()
+				}
 			}
 
-			if !g.isConnectedOnAllWay() {
-				callback()
-			}
 		case <-g.relayedConnDisconnected:
 			g.log.Debugf("Relay connection changed, reset reconnection ticker")
 			ticker.Stop()
-			ticker = g.prepareExponentTicker(ctx)
+			ticker = g.newReconnectTicker(ctx)
 			tickerChannel = ticker.C
+			iceState.reset()
 
 		case <-g.iCEConnDisconnected:
 			g.log.Debugf("ICE connection changed, reset reconnection ticker")
 			ticker.Stop()
-			ticker = g.prepareExponentTicker(ctx)
+			ticker = g.newReconnectTicker(ctx)
 			tickerChannel = ticker.C
+			iceState.reset()
 
 		case <-srReconnectedChan:
 			g.log.Debugf("has network changes, reset reconnection ticker")
 			ticker.Stop()
-			ticker = g.prepareExponentTicker(ctx)
+			ticker = g.newReconnectTicker(ctx)
 			tickerChannel = ticker.C
+			iceState.reset()
 
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			g.log.Debugf("context is done, stop reconnect loop")
@@ -120,7 +152,7 @@ func (g *Guard) initialTicker(ctx context.Context) *backoff.Ticker {
 	return backoff.NewTicker(bo)
 }
 
-func (g *Guard) prepareExponentTicker(ctx context.Context) *backoff.Ticker {
+func (g *Guard) newReconnectTicker(ctx context.Context) *backoff.Ticker {
 	bo := backoff.WithContext(&backoff.ExponentialBackOff{
 		InitialInterval:     800 * time.Millisecond,
 		RandomizationFactor: 0.1,

client/internal/peer/guard/ice_retry_state.go

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+package guard
+
+import (
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+const (
+	// maxICERetries is the maximum number of ICE offer attempts when relay is connected
+	maxICERetries = 3
+	// iceRetryInterval is the periodic retry interval after ICE retries are exhausted
+	iceRetryInterval = 1 * time.Hour
+)
+
+// iceRetryState tracks the limited ICE retry attempts when relay is already connected.
+// After maxICERetries attempts it switches to a periodic hourly retry.
+type iceRetryState struct {
+	log     *log.Entry
+	retries int
+	hourly  *time.Ticker
+}
+
+func (s *iceRetryState) reset() {
+	s.retries = 0
+	if s.hourly != nil {
+		s.hourly.Stop()
+		s.hourly = nil
+	}
+}
+
+// shouldRetry reports whether the caller should send another ICE offer on this tick.
+// Returns false when the per-cycle retry budget is exhausted and the caller must switch
+// to the hourly ticker via enterHourlyMode + hourlyC.
+func (s *iceRetryState) shouldRetry() bool {
+	if s.hourly != nil {
+		s.log.Debugf("hourly ICE retry attempt")
+		return true
+	}
+
+	s.retries++
+	if s.retries <= maxICERetries {
+		s.log.Debugf("ICE retry attempt %d/%d", s.retries, maxICERetries)
+		return true
+	}
+
+	return false
+}
+
+// enterHourlyMode starts the hourly retry ticker. Must be called after shouldRetry returns false.
+func (s *iceRetryState) enterHourlyMode() {
+	s.log.Infof("ICE retries exhausted (%d/%d), switching to hourly retry", maxICERetries, maxICERetries)
+	s.hourly = time.NewTicker(iceRetryInterval)
+}
+
+func (s *iceRetryState) hourlyC() <-chan time.Time {
+	if s.hourly == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return s.hourly.C
+}

client/internal/peer/guard/ice_retry_state_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+package guard
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+func newTestRetryState() *iceRetryState {
+	return &iceRetryState{log: log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger())}
+}
+
+func TestICERetryState_AllowsInitialBudget(t *testing.T) {
+	s := newTestRetryState()
+
+	for i := 1; i <= maxICERetries; i++ {
+		if !s.shouldRetry() {
+			t.Fatalf("shouldRetry returned false on attempt %d, want true (budget = %d)", i, maxICERetries)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestICERetryState_ExhaustsAfterBudget(t *testing.T) {
+	s := newTestRetryState()
+
+	for i := 0; i < maxICERetries; i++ {
+		_ = s.shouldRetry()
+	}
+
+	if s.shouldRetry() {
+		t.Fatalf("shouldRetry returned true after budget exhausted, want false")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestICERetryState_HourlyCNilBeforeEnterHourlyMode(t *testing.T) {
+	s := newTestRetryState()
+
+	if s.hourlyC() != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("hourlyC returned non-nil channel before enterHourlyMode")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestICERetryState_EnterHourlyModeArmsTicker(t *testing.T) {
+	s := newTestRetryState()
+	for i := 0; i < maxICERetries+1; i++ {
+		_ = s.shouldRetry()
+	}
+
+	s.enterHourlyMode()
+	defer s.reset()
+
+	if s.hourlyC() == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("hourlyC returned nil after enterHourlyMode")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestICERetryState_ShouldRetryTrueInHourlyMode(t *testing.T) {
+	s := newTestRetryState()
+	s.enterHourlyMode()
+	defer s.reset()
+
+	if !s.shouldRetry() {
+		t.Fatalf("shouldRetry returned false in hourly mode, want true")
+	}
+
+	// Subsequent calls also return true — we keep retrying on each hourly tick.
+	if !s.shouldRetry() {
+		t.Fatalf("second shouldRetry returned false in hourly mode, want true")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestICERetryState_ResetRestoresBudget(t *testing.T) {
+	s := newTestRetryState()
+	for i := 0; i < maxICERetries+1; i++ {
+		_ = s.shouldRetry()
+	}
+	s.enterHourlyMode()
+
+	s.reset()
+
+	if s.hourlyC() != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("hourlyC returned non-nil channel after reset")
+	}
+	if s.retries != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("retries = %d after reset, want 0", s.retries)
+	}
+
+	for i := 1; i <= maxICERetries; i++ {
+		if !s.shouldRetry() {
+			t.Fatalf("shouldRetry returned false on attempt %d after reset, want true", i)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestICERetryState_ResetIsIdempotent(t *testing.T) {
+	s := newTestRetryState()
+	s.reset()
+	s.reset() // second call must not panic or re-stop a nil ticker
+
+	if s.hourlyC() != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("hourlyC non-nil after double reset")
+	}
+}

client/internal/peer/guard/sr_watcher.go

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func NewSRWatcher(signalClient chNotifier, relayManager chNotifier, iFaceDiscove
 	return srw
 }
 
-func (w *SRWatcher) Start() {
+func (w *SRWatcher) Start(disableICEMonitor bool) {
 	w.mu.Lock()
 	defer w.mu.Unlock()
 
@@ -50,8 +50,10 @@ func (w *SRWatcher) Start() {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	w.cancelIceMonitor = cancel
 
-	iceMonitor := NewICEMonitor(w.iFaceDiscover, w.iceConfig, GetICEMonitorPeriod())
+	if !disableICEMonitor {
-	go iceMonitor.Start(ctx, w.onICEChanged)
+		iceMonitor := NewICEMonitor(w.iFaceDiscover, w.iceConfig, GetICEMonitorPeriod())
+		go iceMonitor.Start(ctx, w.onICEChanged)
+	}
 	w.signalClient.SetOnReconnectedListener(w.onReconnected)
 	w.relayManager.SetOnReconnectedListener(w.onReconnected)
 

client/internal/peer/handshaker.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
@@ -43,6 +44,10 @@ type OfferAnswer struct {
 	SessionID *ICESessionID
 }
 
+func (o *OfferAnswer) hasICECredentials() bool {
+	return o.IceCredentials.UFrag != "" && o.IceCredentials.Pwd != ""
+}
+
 type Handshaker struct {
 	mu            sync.Mutex
 	log           *log.Entry
@@ -59,6 +64,10 @@ type Handshaker struct {
 	relayListener *AsyncOfferListener
 	iceListener   func(remoteOfferAnswer *OfferAnswer)
 
+	// remoteICESupported tracks whether the remote peer includes ICE credentials in its offers/answers.
+	// When false, the local side skips ICE listener dispatch and suppresses ICE credentials in responses.
+	remoteICESupported atomic.Bool
+
 	// remoteOffersCh is a channel used to wait for remote credentials to proceed with the connection
 	remoteOffersCh chan OfferAnswer
 	// remoteAnswerCh is a channel used to wait for remote credentials answer (confirmation of our offer) to proceed with the connection
@@ -66,7 +75,7 @@ type Handshaker struct {
 }
 
 func NewHandshaker(log *log.Entry, config ConnConfig, signaler *Signaler, ice *WorkerICE, relay *WorkerRelay, metricsStages *MetricsStages) *Handshaker {
-	return &Handshaker{
+	h := &Handshaker{
 		log:            log,
 		config:         config,
 		signaler:       signaler,
@@ -76,6 +85,13 @@ func NewHandshaker(log *log.Entry, config ConnConfig, signaler *Signaler, ice *W
 		remoteOffersCh: make(chan OfferAnswer),
 		remoteAnswerCh: make(chan OfferAnswer),
 	}
+	// assume remote supports ICE until we learn otherwise from received offers
+	h.remoteICESupported.Store(ice != nil)
+	return h
+}
+
+func (h *Handshaker) RemoteICESupported() bool {
+	return h.remoteICESupported.Load()
 }
 
 func (h *Handshaker) AddRelayListener(offer func(remoteOfferAnswer *OfferAnswer)) {
@@ -90,18 +106,20 @@ func (h *Handshaker) Listen(ctx context.Context) {
 	for {
 		select {
 		case remoteOfferAnswer := <-h.remoteOffersCh:
-			h.log.Infof("received offer, running version %s, remote WireGuard listen port %d, session id: %s", remoteOfferAnswer.Version, remoteOfferAnswer.WgListenPort, remoteOfferAnswer.SessionIDString())
+			h.log.Infof("received offer, running version %s, remote WireGuard listen port %d, session id: %s, remote ICE supported: %t", remoteOfferAnswer.Version, remoteOfferAnswer.WgListenPort, remoteOfferAnswer.SessionIDString(), remoteOfferAnswer.hasICECredentials())
 
 			// Record signaling received for reconnection attempts
 			if h.metricsStages != nil {
 				h.metricsStages.RecordSignalingReceived()
 			}
 
+			h.updateRemoteICEState(&remoteOfferAnswer)
+
 			if h.relayListener != nil {
 				h.relayListener.Notify(&remoteOfferAnswer)
 			}
 
-			if h.iceListener != nil {
+			if h.iceListener != nil && h.RemoteICESupported() {
 				h.iceListener(&remoteOfferAnswer)
 			}
 
@@ -110,18 +128,20 @@ func (h *Handshaker) Listen(ctx context.Context) {
 				continue
 			}
 		case remoteOfferAnswer := <-h.remoteAnswerCh:
-			h.log.Infof("received answer, running version %s, remote WireGuard listen port %d, session id: %s", remoteOfferAnswer.Version, remoteOfferAnswer.WgListenPort, remoteOfferAnswer.SessionIDString())
+			h.log.Infof("received answer, running version %s, remote WireGuard listen port %d, session id: %s, remote ICE supported: %t", remoteOfferAnswer.Version, remoteOfferAnswer.WgListenPort, remoteOfferAnswer.SessionIDString(), remoteOfferAnswer.hasICECredentials())
 
 			// Record signaling received for reconnection attempts
 			if h.metricsStages != nil {
 				h.metricsStages.RecordSignalingReceived()
 			}
 
+			h.updateRemoteICEState(&remoteOfferAnswer)
+
 			if h.relayListener != nil {
 				h.relayListener.Notify(&remoteOfferAnswer)
 			}
 
-			if h.iceListener != nil {
+			if h.iceListener != nil && h.RemoteICESupported() {
 				h.iceListener(&remoteOfferAnswer)
 			}
 		case <-ctx.Done():
@@ -183,15 +203,18 @@ func (h *Handshaker) sendAnswer() error {
 }
 
 func (h *Handshaker) buildOfferAnswer() OfferAnswer {
-	uFrag, pwd := h.ice.GetLocalUserCredentials()
-	sid := h.ice.SessionID()
 	answer := OfferAnswer{
-		IceCredentials:  IceCredentials{uFrag, pwd},
 		WgListenPort:    h.config.LocalWgPort,
 		Version:         version.NetbirdVersion(),
 		RosenpassPubKey: h.config.RosenpassConfig.PubKey,
 		RosenpassAddr:   h.config.RosenpassConfig.Addr,
-		SessionID:       &sid,
+	}
+
+	if h.ice != nil && h.RemoteICESupported() {
+		uFrag, pwd := h.ice.GetLocalUserCredentials()
+		sid := h.ice.SessionID()
+		answer.IceCredentials = IceCredentials{uFrag, pwd}
+		answer.SessionID = &sid
 	}
 
 	if addr, err := h.relay.RelayInstanceAddress(); err == nil {
@@ -200,3 +223,18 @@ func (h *Handshaker) buildOfferAnswer() OfferAnswer {
 
 	return answer
 }
+
+func (h *Handshaker) updateRemoteICEState(offer *OfferAnswer) {
+	hasICE := offer.hasICECredentials()
+	prev := h.remoteICESupported.Swap(hasICE)
+	if prev != hasICE {
+		if hasICE {
+			h.log.Infof("remote peer started sending ICE credentials")
+		} else {
+			h.log.Infof("remote peer stopped sending ICE credentials")
+			if h.ice != nil {
+				h.ice.Close()
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}

client/internal/peer/signaler.go

@@ -46,9 +46,13 @@ func (s *Signaler) Ready() bool {
 
 // SignalOfferAnswer signals either an offer or an answer to remote peer
 func (s *Signaler) signalOfferAnswer(offerAnswer OfferAnswer, remoteKey string, bodyType sProto.Body_Type) error {
-	sessionIDBytes, err := offerAnswer.SessionID.Bytes()
+	var sessionIDBytes []byte
-	if err != nil {
+	if offerAnswer.SessionID != nil {
-		log.Warnf("failed to get session ID bytes: %v", err)
+		var err error
+		sessionIDBytes, err = offerAnswer.SessionID.Bytes()
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("failed to get session ID bytes: %v", err)
+		}
 	}
 	msg, err := signal.MarshalCredential(
 		s.wgPrivateKey,

management/server/account_test.go

@@ -3230,6 +3230,13 @@ func setupNetworkMapTest(t *testing.T) (*DefaultAccountManager, *update_channel.
 	return manager, updateManager, account, peer1, peer2, peer3
 }
 
+// peerUpdateTimeout bounds how long peerShouldReceiveUpdate and its outer
+// wrappers wait for an expected update message. Sized for slow CI runners
+// (MySQL, FreeBSD, loaded sqlite) where the channel publish can take
+// seconds. Only runs down on failure; passing tests return immediately
+// when the channel delivers.
+const peerUpdateTimeout = 5 * time.Second
+
 func peerShouldNotReceiveUpdate(t *testing.T, updateMessage <-chan *network_map.UpdateMessage) {
 	t.Helper()
 	select {
@@ -3248,7 +3255,7 @@ func peerShouldReceiveUpdate(t *testing.T, updateMessage <-chan *network_map.Upd
 		if msg == nil {
 			t.Errorf("Received nil update message, expected valid message")
 		}
-	case <-time.After(500 * time.Millisecond):
+	case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 		t.Error("Timed out waiting for update message")
 	}
 }

management/server/dns_test.go

@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ func TestDNSAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -478,7 +478,7 @@ func TestDNSAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@ func TestDNSAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})

management/server/group_test.go

@@ -620,7 +620,7 @@ func TestGroupAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -638,7 +638,7 @@ func TestGroupAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -656,7 +656,7 @@ func TestGroupAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -689,7 +689,7 @@ func TestGroupAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -730,7 +730,7 @@ func TestGroupAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -757,7 +757,7 @@ func TestGroupAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -804,7 +804,7 @@ func TestGroupAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})

management/server/nameserver_test.go

@@ -1087,7 +1087,7 @@ func TestNameServerAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -1105,7 +1105,7 @@ func TestNameServerAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})

management/server/peer_test.go

@@ -1907,7 +1907,7 @@ func TestPeerAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -1929,7 +1929,7 @@ func TestPeerAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -1994,7 +1994,7 @@ func TestPeerAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -2012,7 +2012,7 @@ func TestPeerAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -2058,7 +2058,7 @@ func TestPeerAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -2076,7 +2076,7 @@ func TestPeerAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -2113,7 +2113,7 @@ func TestPeerAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -2131,7 +2131,7 @@ func TestPeerAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})

management/server/policy_test.go

@@ -1231,7 +1231,7 @@ func TestPolicyAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -1263,7 +1263,7 @@ func TestPolicyAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -1294,7 +1294,7 @@ func TestPolicyAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -1314,7 +1314,7 @@ func TestPolicyAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -1355,7 +1355,7 @@ func TestPolicyAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -1373,7 +1373,7 @@ func TestPolicyAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 
@@ -1393,7 +1393,7 @@ func TestPolicyAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})

management/server/posture_checks_test.go

@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ func TestPostureCheckAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ func TestPostureCheckAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ func TestPostureCheckAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ func TestPostureCheckAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@ func TestPostureCheckAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})

management/server/route_test.go

@@ -2070,7 +2070,7 @@ func TestRouteAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 
@@ -2107,7 +2107,7 @@ func TestRouteAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -2127,7 +2127,7 @@ func TestRouteAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -2145,7 +2145,7 @@ func TestRouteAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -2185,7 +2185,7 @@ func TestRouteAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -2225,7 +2225,7 @@ func TestRouteAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})

management/server/user_test.go

@@ -1586,7 +1586,7 @@ func TestUserAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})
@@ -1609,7 +1609,7 @@ func TestUserAccountPeersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 		select {
 		case <-done:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		case <-time.After(peerUpdateTimeout):
 			t.Error("timeout waiting for peerShouldReceiveUpdate")
 		}
 	})