client/dns/mgmt: strip wildcard prefix in pool-root membership check

isUnderPoolRoot lowercased and trimmed the trailing dot, but did not
strip a leading "*." wildcard the way server.toZone does via
nbdns.NormalizeZone. If a mgmt-advertised Relay URL ever comes through
as "*.relay.netbird.io", the handler-chain registration side strips
the wildcard (toZone) but the membership check here would keep it,
so HasSuffix(".*.relay.netbird.io") would never match legitimate
instance subdomains and on-demand resolves would not fire.

Today the extractor lowercases + IDNA-normalizes URLs and rejects the
wildcard form, so the divergence is latent. Close it anyway by running
both sides of the membership check through a shared
canonicalizePoolDomain helper that mirrors toZone's transformation
(modulo trailing-dot orientation, which is self-consistent within
this function). toZone itself lives in the parent dns package and
cannot be imported here without a cycle.

client/firewall/firewalld/firewalld.go

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+// Package firewalld integrates with the firewalld daemon so NetBird can place
+// its wg interface into firewalld's "trusted" zone. This is required because
+// firewalld's nftables chains are created with NFT_CHAIN_OWNER on recent
+// versions, which returns EPERM to any other process that tries to insert
+// rules into them. The workaround mirrors what Tailscale does: let firewalld
+// itself add the accept rules to its own chains by trusting the interface.
+package firewalld
+
+// TrustedZone is the firewalld zone name used for interfaces whose traffic
+// should bypass firewalld filtering.
+const TrustedZone = "trusted"

client/firewall/firewalld/firewalld_linux.go

@@ -0,0 +1,260 @@
+//go:build linux
+
+package firewalld
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/godbus/dbus/v5"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+const (
+	dbusDest      = "org.fedoraproject.FirewallD1"
+	dbusPath      = "/org/fedoraproject/FirewallD1"
+	dbusRootIface = "org.fedoraproject.FirewallD1"
+	dbusZoneIface = "org.fedoraproject.FirewallD1.zone"
+
+	errZoneAlreadySet = "ZONE_ALREADY_SET"
+	errAlreadyEnabled = "ALREADY_ENABLED"
+	errUnknownIface   = "UNKNOWN_INTERFACE"
+	errNotEnabled     = "NOT_ENABLED"
+
+	// callTimeout bounds each individual DBus or firewall-cmd invocation.
+	// A fresh context is created for each call so a slow DBus probe can't
+	// exhaust the deadline before the firewall-cmd fallback gets to run.
+	callTimeout = 3 * time.Second
+)
+
+var (
+	errDBusUnavailable = errors.New("firewalld dbus unavailable")
+
+	// trustLogOnce ensures the "added to trusted zone" message is logged at
+	// Info level only for the first successful add per process; repeat adds
+	// from other init paths are quieter.
+	trustLogOnce sync.Once
+
+	parentCtxMu sync.RWMutex
+	parentCtx   context.Context = context.Background()
+)
+
+// SetParentContext installs a parent context whose cancellation aborts any
+// in-flight TrustInterface call. It does not affect UntrustInterface, which
+// always uses a fresh Background-rooted timeout so cleanup can still run
+// during engine shutdown when the engine context is already cancelled.
+func SetParentContext(ctx context.Context) {
+	parentCtxMu.Lock()
+	parentCtx = ctx
+	parentCtxMu.Unlock()
+}
+
+func getParentContext() context.Context {
+	parentCtxMu.RLock()
+	defer parentCtxMu.RUnlock()
+	return parentCtx
+}
+
+// TrustInterface places iface into firewalld's trusted zone if firewalld is
+// running. It is idempotent and best-effort: errors are returned so callers
+// can log, but a non-running firewalld is not an error. Only the first
+// successful call per process logs at Info. Respects the parent context set
+// via SetParentContext so startup-time cancellation unblocks it.
+func TrustInterface(iface string) error {
+	parent := getParentContext()
+	if !isRunning(parent) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := addTrusted(parent, iface); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("add %s to firewalld trusted zone: %w", iface, err)
+	}
+	trustLogOnce.Do(func() {
+		log.Infof("added %s to firewalld trusted zone", iface)
+	})
+	log.Debugf("firewalld: ensured %s is in trusted zone", iface)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// UntrustInterface removes iface from firewalld's trusted zone if firewalld
+// is running. Idempotent. Uses a Background-rooted timeout so it still runs
+// during shutdown after the engine context has been cancelled.
+func UntrustInterface(iface string) error {
+	if !isRunning(context.Background()) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := removeTrusted(context.Background(), iface); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("remove %s from firewalld trusted zone: %w", iface, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func newCallContext(parent context.Context) (context.Context, context.CancelFunc) {
+	return context.WithTimeout(parent, callTimeout)
+}
+
+func isRunning(parent context.Context) bool {
+	ctx, cancel := newCallContext(parent)
+	ok, err := isRunningDBus(ctx)
+	cancel()
+	if err == nil {
+		return ok
+	}
+	if errors.Is(err, errDBusUnavailable) || errors.Is(err, context.DeadlineExceeded) {
+		ctx, cancel = newCallContext(parent)
+		defer cancel()
+		return isRunningCLI(ctx)
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func addTrusted(parent context.Context, iface string) error {
+	ctx, cancel := newCallContext(parent)
+	err := addDBus(ctx, iface)
+	cancel()
+	if err == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if !errors.Is(err, errDBusUnavailable) {
+		log.Debugf("firewalld: dbus add failed, falling back to firewall-cmd: %v", err)
+	}
+	ctx, cancel = newCallContext(parent)
+	defer cancel()
+	return addCLI(ctx, iface)
+}
+
+func removeTrusted(parent context.Context, iface string) error {
+	ctx, cancel := newCallContext(parent)
+	err := removeDBus(ctx, iface)
+	cancel()
+	if err == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if !errors.Is(err, errDBusUnavailable) {
+		log.Debugf("firewalld: dbus remove failed, falling back to firewall-cmd: %v", err)
+	}
+	ctx, cancel = newCallContext(parent)
+	defer cancel()
+	return removeCLI(ctx, iface)
+}
+
+func isRunningDBus(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
+	conn, err := dbus.SystemBus()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", errDBusUnavailable, err)
+	}
+	obj := conn.Object(dbusDest, dbusPath)
+
+	var zone string
+	if err := obj.CallWithContext(ctx, dbusRootIface+".getDefaultZone", 0).Store(&zone); err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("firewalld getDefaultZone: %w", err)
+	}
+	return true, nil
+}
+
+func isRunningCLI(ctx context.Context) bool {
+	if _, err := exec.LookPath("firewall-cmd"); err != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	return exec.CommandContext(ctx, "firewall-cmd", "--state").Run() == nil
+}
+
+func addDBus(ctx context.Context, iface string) error {
+	conn, err := dbus.SystemBus()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", errDBusUnavailable, err)
+	}
+	obj := conn.Object(dbusDest, dbusPath)
+
+	call := obj.CallWithContext(ctx, dbusZoneIface+".addInterface", 0, TrustedZone, iface)
+	if call.Err == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if dbusErrContains(call.Err, errAlreadyEnabled) {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if dbusErrContains(call.Err, errZoneAlreadySet) {
+		move := obj.CallWithContext(ctx, dbusZoneIface+".changeZoneOfInterface", 0, TrustedZone, iface)
+		if move.Err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("firewalld changeZoneOfInterface: %w", move.Err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return fmt.Errorf("firewalld addInterface: %w", call.Err)
+}
+
+func removeDBus(ctx context.Context, iface string) error {
+	conn, err := dbus.SystemBus()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", errDBusUnavailable, err)
+	}
+	obj := conn.Object(dbusDest, dbusPath)
+
+	call := obj.CallWithContext(ctx, dbusZoneIface+".removeInterface", 0, TrustedZone, iface)
+	if call.Err == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if dbusErrContains(call.Err, errUnknownIface) || dbusErrContains(call.Err, errNotEnabled) {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return fmt.Errorf("firewalld removeInterface: %w", call.Err)
+}
+
+func addCLI(ctx context.Context, iface string) error {
+	if _, err := exec.LookPath("firewall-cmd"); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("firewall-cmd not available: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// --change-interface (no --permanent) binds the interface for the
+	// current runtime only; we do not want membership to persist across
+	// reboots because netbird re-asserts it on every startup.
+	out, err := exec.CommandContext(ctx,
+		"firewall-cmd", "--zone="+TrustedZone, "--change-interface="+iface,
+	).CombinedOutput()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("firewall-cmd change-interface: %w: %s", err, strings.TrimSpace(string(out)))
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func removeCLI(ctx context.Context, iface string) error {
+	if _, err := exec.LookPath("firewall-cmd"); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("firewall-cmd not available: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	out, err := exec.CommandContext(ctx,
+		"firewall-cmd", "--zone="+TrustedZone, "--remove-interface="+iface,
+	).CombinedOutput()
+	if err != nil {
+		msg := strings.TrimSpace(string(out))
+		if strings.Contains(msg, errUnknownIface) || strings.Contains(msg, errNotEnabled) {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("firewall-cmd remove-interface: %w: %s", err, msg)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func dbusErrContains(err error, code string) bool {
+	if err == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	var de dbus.Error
+	if errors.As(err, &de) {
+		for _, b := range de.Body {
+			if s, ok := b.(string); ok && strings.Contains(s, code) {
+				return true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return strings.Contains(err.Error(), code)
+}

client/firewall/firewalld/firewalld_linux_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+//go:build linux
+
+package firewalld
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/godbus/dbus/v5"
+)
+
+func TestDBusErrContains(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		err  error
+		code string
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{"nil error", nil, errZoneAlreadySet, false},
+		{"plain error match", errors.New("ZONE_ALREADY_SET: wt0"), errZoneAlreadySet, true},
+		{"plain error miss", errors.New("something else"), errZoneAlreadySet, false},
+		{
+			"dbus.Error body match",
+			dbus.Error{Name: "org.fedoraproject.FirewallD1.Exception", Body: []any{"ZONE_ALREADY_SET: wt0"}},
+			errZoneAlreadySet,
+			true,
+		},
+		{
+			"dbus.Error body miss",
+			dbus.Error{Name: "org.fedoraproject.FirewallD1.Exception", Body: []any{"INVALID_INTERFACE"}},
+			errAlreadyEnabled,
+			false,
+		},
+		{
+			"dbus.Error non-string body falls back to Error()",
+			dbus.Error{Name: "x", Body: []any{123}},
+			"x",
+			true,
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got := dbusErrContains(tc.err, tc.code)
+			if got != tc.want {
+				t.Fatalf("dbusErrContains(%v, %q) = %v; want %v", tc.err, tc.code, got, tc.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

client/firewall/firewalld/firewalld_other.go

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+//go:build !linux
+
+package firewalld
+
+import "context"
+
+// SetParentContext is a no-op on non-Linux platforms because firewalld only
+// runs on Linux.
+func SetParentContext(context.Context) {
+	// intentionally empty: firewalld is a Linux-only daemon
+}
+
+// TrustInterface is a no-op on non-Linux platforms because firewalld only
+// runs on Linux.
+func TrustInterface(string) error {
+	// intentionally empty: firewalld is a Linux-only daemon
+	return nil
+}
+
+// UntrustInterface is a no-op on non-Linux platforms because firewalld only
+// runs on Linux.
+func UntrustInterface(string) error {
+	// intentionally empty: firewalld is a Linux-only daemon
+	return nil
+}

client/firewall/iptables/manager_linux.go

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
 	nberrors "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/errors"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/firewalld"
 	firewall "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
@@ -86,6 +87,12 @@ func (m *Manager) Init(stateManager *statemanager.Manager) error {
 		log.Warnf("raw table not available, notrack rules will be disabled: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	// Trust after all fatal init steps so a later failure doesn't leave the
+	// interface in firewalld's trusted zone without a corresponding Close.
+	if err := firewalld.TrustInterface(m.wgIface.Name()); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to trust interface in firewalld: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	// persist early to ensure cleanup of chains
 	go func() {
 		if err := stateManager.PersistState(context.Background()); err != nil {
@@ -191,6 +198,12 @@ func (m *Manager) Close(stateManager *statemanager.Manager) error {
 		merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("reset router: %w", err))
 	}
 
+	// Appending to merr intentionally blocks DeleteState below so ShutdownState
+	// stays persisted and the crash-recovery path retries firewalld cleanup.
+	if err := firewalld.UntrustInterface(m.wgIface.Name()); err != nil {
+		merr = multierror.Append(merr, err)
+	}
+
 	// attempt to delete state only if all other operations succeeded
 	if merr == nil {
 		if err := stateManager.DeleteState(&ShutdownState{}); err != nil {
@@ -217,6 +230,11 @@ func (m *Manager) AllowNetbird() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("allow netbird interface traffic: %w", err)
 	}
+
+	if err := firewalld.TrustInterface(m.wgIface.Name()); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to trust interface in firewalld: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 

client/firewall/nftables/manager_linux.go

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
 
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/firewalld"
 	firewall "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
@@ -217,6 +218,10 @@ func (m *Manager) AllowNetbird() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("flush allow input netbird rules: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	if err := firewalld.TrustInterface(m.wgIface.Name()); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to trust interface in firewalld: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 

client/firewall/nftables/router_linux.go

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
 
 	nberrors "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/errors"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/firewalld"
 	firewall "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
 	nbid "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/acl/id"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/ipfwdstate"
@@ -40,6 +41,8 @@ const (
 	chainNameForward       = "FORWARD"
 	chainNameMangleForward = "netbird-mangle-forward"
 
+	firewalldTableName = "firewalld"
+
 	userDataAcceptForwardRuleIif = "frwacceptiif"
 	userDataAcceptForwardRuleOif = "frwacceptoif"
 	userDataAcceptInputRule      = "inputaccept"
@@ -133,6 +136,10 @@ func (r *router) Reset() error {
 		merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("remove accept filter rules: %w", err))
 	}
 
+	if err := firewalld.UntrustInterface(r.wgIface.Name()); err != nil {
+		merr = multierror.Append(merr, err)
+	}
+
 	if err := r.removeNatPreroutingRules(); err != nil {
 		merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("remove filter prerouting rules: %w", err))
 	}
@@ -280,6 +287,10 @@ func (r *router) createContainers() error {
 		log.Errorf("failed to add accept rules for the forward chain: %s", err)
 	}
 
+	if err := firewalld.TrustInterface(r.wgIface.Name()); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to trust interface in firewalld: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	if err := r.refreshRulesMap(); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to refresh rules: %s", err)
 	}
@@ -1319,6 +1330,13 @@ func (r *router) isExternalChain(chain *nftables.Chain) bool {
 		return false
 	}
 
+	// Skip firewalld-owned chains. Firewalld creates its chains with the
+	// NFT_CHAIN_OWNER flag, so inserting rules into them returns EPERM.
+	// We delegate acceptance to firewalld by trusting the interface instead.
+	if chain.Table.Name == firewalldTableName {
+		return false
+	}
+
 	// Skip all iptables-managed tables in the ip family
 	if chain.Table.Family == nftables.TableFamilyIPv4 && isIptablesTable(chain.Table.Name) {
 		return false

client/firewall/uspfilter/allow_netbird.go

@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
 package uspfilter
 
 import (
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/firewalld"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
 )
 
@@ -16,6 +19,9 @@ func (m *Manager) Close(stateManager *statemanager.Manager) error {
 	if m.nativeFirewall != nil {
 		return m.nativeFirewall.Close(stateManager)
 	}
+	if err := firewalld.UntrustInterface(m.wgIface.Name()); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to untrust interface in firewalld: %v", err)
+	}
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -24,5 +30,8 @@ func (m *Manager) AllowNetbird() error {
 	if m.nativeFirewall != nil {
 		return m.nativeFirewall.AllowNetbird()
 	}
+	if err := firewalld.TrustInterface(m.wgIface.Name()); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to trust interface in firewalld: %v", err)
+	}
 	return nil
 }

client/firewall/uspfilter/common/iface.go

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 
 // IFaceMapper defines subset methods of interface required for manager
 type IFaceMapper interface {
+	Name() string
 	SetFilter(device.PacketFilter) error
 	Address() wgaddr.Address
 	GetWGDevice() *wgdevice.Device

client/firewall/uspfilter/filter_test.go

@@ -31,12 +31,20 @@ var logger = log.NewFromLogrus(logrus.StandardLogger())
 var flowLogger = netflow.NewManager(nil, []byte{}, nil).GetLogger()
 
 type IFaceMock struct {
+	NameFunc        func() string
 	SetFilterFunc   func(device.PacketFilter) error
 	AddressFunc     func() wgaddr.Address
 	GetWGDeviceFunc func() *wgdevice.Device
 	GetDeviceFunc   func() *device.FilteredDevice
 }
 
+func (i *IFaceMock) Name() string {
+	if i.NameFunc == nil {
+		return "wgtest"
+	}
+	return i.NameFunc()
+}
+
 func (i *IFaceMock) GetWGDevice() *wgdevice.Device {
 	if i.GetWGDeviceFunc == nil {
 		return nil

client/iface/bind/ice_bind_test.go

@@ -239,8 +239,12 @@ func TestICEBind_HandlesConcurrentMixedTraffic(t *testing.T) {
 		ipv6Count++
 	}
 
-	assert.Equal(t, packetsPerFamily, ipv4Count)
-	assert.Equal(t, packetsPerFamily, ipv6Count)
+	// Allow some UDP packet loss under load (e.g. FreeBSD/QEMU runners). The
+	// routing-correctness checks above are the real assertions; the counts
+	// are a sanity bound to catch a totally silent path.
+	minDelivered := packetsPerFamily * 80 / 100
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, ipv4Count, minDelivered, "IPv4 delivery below threshold")
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, ipv6Count, minDelivered, "IPv6 delivery below threshold")
 }
 
 func TestICEBind_DetectsAddressFamilyFromConnection(t *testing.T) {

client/internal/debug/upload_test.go

@@ -3,10 +3,12 @@ package debug
 import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
+	"net"
 	"net/http"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
@@ -19,8 +21,10 @@ func TestUpload(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Skip("Skipping upload test on docker ci")
 	}
 	testDir := t.TempDir()
-	testURL := "http://localhost:8080"
+	addr := reserveLoopbackPort(t)
+	testURL := "http://" + addr
 	t.Setenv("SERVER_URL", testURL)
+	t.Setenv("SERVER_ADDRESS", addr)
 	t.Setenv("STORE_DIR", testDir)
 	srv := server.NewServer()
 	go func() {
@@ -33,6 +37,7 @@ func TestUpload(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Errorf("Failed to stop server: %v", err)
 		}
 	})
+	waitForServer(t, addr)
 
 	file := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "tmpfile")
 	fileContent := []byte("test file content")
@@ -47,3 +52,30 @@ func TestUpload(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, fileContent, createdFileContent)
 }
+
+// reserveLoopbackPort binds an ephemeral port on loopback to learn a free
+// address, then releases it so the server under test can rebind. The close/
+// rebind window is racy in theory; on loopback with a kernel-assigned port
+// it's essentially never contended in practice.
+func reserveLoopbackPort(t *testing.T) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	l, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	addr := l.Addr().String()
+	require.NoError(t, l.Close())
+	return addr
+}
+
+func waitForServer(t *testing.T, addr string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		c, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", addr, 100*time.Millisecond)
+		if err == nil {
+			_ = c.Close()
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("server did not start listening on %s in time", addr)
+}

client/internal/dns/file_parser_unix.go

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 
 const (
 	defaultResolvConfPath = "/etc/resolv.conf"
+	nsswitchConfPath      = "/etc/nsswitch.conf"
 )
 
 type resolvConf struct {

client/internal/dns/handler_chain.go

@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 package dns
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"math"
+	"net"
 	"slices"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -192,6 +195,12 @@ func (c *HandlerChain) logHandlers() {
 }
 
 func (c *HandlerChain) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
+	c.dispatch(w, r, math.MaxInt)
+}
+
+// dispatch routes a DNS request through the chain, skipping handlers with
+// priority > maxPriority. Shared by ServeDNS and ResolveInternal.
+func (c *HandlerChain) dispatch(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg, maxPriority int) {
 	if len(r.Question) == 0 {
 		return
 	}
@@ -216,6 +225,9 @@ func (c *HandlerChain) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 
 	// Try handlers in priority order
 	for _, entry := range handlers {
+		if entry.Priority > maxPriority {
+			continue
+		}
 		if !c.isHandlerMatch(qname, entry) {
 			continue
 		}
@@ -273,6 +285,55 @@ func (c *HandlerChain) logResponse(logger *log.Entry, cw *ResponseWriterChain, q
 		cw.response.Len(), meta, time.Since(startTime))
 }
 
+// ResolveInternal runs an in-process DNS query against the chain, skipping any
+// handler with priority > maxPriority. Used by internal callers (e.g. the mgmt
+// cache refresher) that must bypass themselves to avoid loops. Honors ctx
+// cancellation; on ctx.Done the dispatch goroutine is left to drain on its own
+// (bounded by the invoked handler's internal timeout).
+func (c *HandlerChain) ResolveInternal(ctx context.Context, r *dns.Msg, maxPriority int) (*dns.Msg, error) {
+	if len(r.Question) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("empty question")
+	}
+
+	base := &internalResponseWriter{}
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		c.dispatch(base, r, maxPriority)
+		close(done)
+	}()
+
+	select {
+	case <-done:
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		// Prefer a completed response if dispatch finished concurrently with cancellation.
+		select {
+		case <-done:
+		default:
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("resolve %s: %w", strings.ToLower(r.Question[0].Name), ctx.Err())
+		}
+	}
+
+	if base.response == nil || base.response.Rcode == dns.RcodeRefused {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no handler resolved %s at priority ≤ %d",
+			strings.ToLower(r.Question[0].Name), maxPriority)
+	}
+	return base.response, nil
+}
+
+// HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow reports whether any "." handler is registered at
+// priority ≤ maxPriority.
+func (c *HandlerChain) HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(maxPriority int) bool {
+	c.mu.RLock()
+	defer c.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	for _, h := range c.handlers {
+		if h.Pattern == "." && h.Priority <= maxPriority {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 func (c *HandlerChain) isHandlerMatch(qname string, entry HandlerEntry) bool {
 	switch {
 	case entry.Pattern == ".":
@@ -291,3 +352,36 @@ func (c *HandlerChain) isHandlerMatch(qname string, entry HandlerEntry) bool {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// internalResponseWriter captures a dns.Msg for in-process chain queries.
+type internalResponseWriter struct {
+	response *dns.Msg
+}
+
+func (w *internalResponseWriter) WriteMsg(m *dns.Msg) error { w.response = m; return nil }
+func (w *internalResponseWriter) LocalAddr() net.Addr       { return nil }
+func (w *internalResponseWriter) RemoteAddr() net.Addr      { return nil }
+
+// Write unpacks raw DNS bytes so handlers that call Write instead of WriteMsg
+// still surface their answer to ResolveInternal.
+func (w *internalResponseWriter) Write(p []byte) (int, error) {
+	msg := new(dns.Msg)
+	if err := msg.Unpack(p); err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	w.response = msg
+	return len(p), nil
+}
+
+func (w *internalResponseWriter) Close() error      { return nil }
+func (w *internalResponseWriter) TsigStatus() error { return nil }
+
+// TsigTimersOnly is part of dns.ResponseWriter.
+func (w *internalResponseWriter) TsigTimersOnly(bool) {
+	// no-op: in-process queries carry no TSIG state.
+}
+
+// Hijack is part of dns.ResponseWriter.
+func (w *internalResponseWriter) Hijack() {
+	// no-op: in-process queries have no underlying connection to hand off.
+}

client/internal/dns/handler_chain_test.go

@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
 package dns_test
 
 import (
+	"context"
+	"net"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/mock"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
 	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/test"
@@ -1042,3 +1046,163 @@ func TestHandlerChain_AddRemoveRoundtrip(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
+
+// answeringHandler writes a fixed A record to ack the query. Used to verify
+// which handler ResolveInternal dispatches to.
+type answeringHandler struct {
+	name string
+	ip   string
+}
+
+func (h *answeringHandler) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
+	resp := &dns.Msg{}
+	resp.SetReply(r)
+	resp.Answer = []dns.RR{&dns.A{
+		Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: r.Question[0].Name, Rrtype: dns.TypeA, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: 60},
+		A:   net.ParseIP(h.ip).To4(),
+	}}
+	_ = w.WriteMsg(resp)
+}
+
+func (h *answeringHandler) String() string { return h.name }
+
+func TestHandlerChain_ResolveInternal_SkipsAboveMaxPriority(t *testing.T) {
+	chain := nbdns.NewHandlerChain()
+
+	high := &answeringHandler{name: "high", ip: "10.0.0.1"}
+	low := &answeringHandler{name: "low", ip: "10.0.0.2"}
+
+	chain.AddHandler("example.com.", high, nbdns.PriorityMgmtCache)
+	chain.AddHandler("example.com.", low, nbdns.PriorityUpstream)
+
+	r := new(dns.Msg)
+	r.SetQuestion("example.com.", dns.TypeA)
+
+	resp, err := chain.ResolveInternal(context.Background(), r, nbdns.PriorityUpstream)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.NotNil(t, resp)
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, len(resp.Answer))
+	a, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.A)
+	assert.True(t, ok)
+	assert.Equal(t, "10.0.0.2", a.A.String(), "should skip mgmtCache handler and resolve via upstream")
+}
+
+func TestHandlerChain_ResolveInternal_ErrorWhenNoMatch(t *testing.T) {
+	chain := nbdns.NewHandlerChain()
+	high := &answeringHandler{name: "high", ip: "10.0.0.1"}
+	chain.AddHandler("example.com.", high, nbdns.PriorityMgmtCache)
+
+	r := new(dns.Msg)
+	r.SetQuestion("example.com.", dns.TypeA)
+
+	_, err := chain.ResolveInternal(context.Background(), r, nbdns.PriorityUpstream)
+	assert.Error(t, err, "no handler at or below maxPriority should error")
+}
+
+// rawWriteHandler packs a response and calls ResponseWriter.Write directly
+// (instead of WriteMsg), exercising the internalResponseWriter.Write path.
+type rawWriteHandler struct {
+	ip string
+}
+
+func (h *rawWriteHandler) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
+	resp := &dns.Msg{}
+	resp.SetReply(r)
+	resp.Answer = []dns.RR{&dns.A{
+		Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: r.Question[0].Name, Rrtype: dns.TypeA, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: 60},
+		A:   net.ParseIP(h.ip).To4(),
+	}}
+	packed, err := resp.Pack()
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	_, _ = w.Write(packed)
+}
+
+func TestHandlerChain_ResolveInternal_CapturesRawWrite(t *testing.T) {
+	chain := nbdns.NewHandlerChain()
+	chain.AddHandler("example.com.", &rawWriteHandler{ip: "10.0.0.3"}, nbdns.PriorityUpstream)
+
+	r := new(dns.Msg)
+	r.SetQuestion("example.com.", dns.TypeA)
+
+	resp, err := chain.ResolveInternal(context.Background(), r, nbdns.PriorityUpstream)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, resp)
+	require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+	a, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.A)
+	require.True(t, ok)
+	assert.Equal(t, "10.0.0.3", a.A.String(), "handlers calling Write(packed) must still surface their answer")
+}
+
+func TestHandlerChain_ResolveInternal_EmptyQuestion(t *testing.T) {
+	chain := nbdns.NewHandlerChain()
+	_, err := chain.ResolveInternal(context.Background(), new(dns.Msg), nbdns.PriorityUpstream)
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+}
+
+// hangingHandler blocks indefinitely until closed, simulating a wedged upstream.
+type hangingHandler struct {
+	block chan struct{}
+}
+
+func (h *hangingHandler) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
+	<-h.block
+	resp := &dns.Msg{}
+	resp.SetReply(r)
+	_ = w.WriteMsg(resp)
+}
+
+func (h *hangingHandler) String() string { return "hangingHandler" }
+
+func TestHandlerChain_ResolveInternal_HonorsContextTimeout(t *testing.T) {
+	chain := nbdns.NewHandlerChain()
+	h := &hangingHandler{block: make(chan struct{})}
+	defer close(h.block)
+
+	chain.AddHandler("example.com.", h, nbdns.PriorityUpstream)
+
+	r := new(dns.Msg)
+	r.SetQuestion("example.com.", dns.TypeA)
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	start := time.Now()
+	_, err := chain.ResolveInternal(ctx, r, nbdns.PriorityUpstream)
+	elapsed := time.Since(start)
+
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, err, context.DeadlineExceeded)
+	assert.Less(t, elapsed, 500*time.Millisecond, "ResolveInternal must return shortly after ctx deadline")
+}
+
+func TestHandlerChain_HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(t *testing.T) {
+	chain := nbdns.NewHandlerChain()
+	h := &answeringHandler{name: "h", ip: "10.0.0.1"}
+
+	assert.False(t, chain.HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(nbdns.PriorityUpstream), "empty chain")
+
+	chain.AddHandler("example.com.", h, nbdns.PriorityUpstream)
+	assert.False(t, chain.HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(nbdns.PriorityUpstream), "non-root handler does not count")
+
+	chain.AddHandler(".", h, nbdns.PriorityMgmtCache)
+	assert.False(t, chain.HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(nbdns.PriorityUpstream), "root handler above threshold excluded")
+
+	chain.AddHandler(".", h, nbdns.PriorityDefault)
+	assert.True(t, chain.HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(nbdns.PriorityUpstream), "root handler at PriorityDefault included")
+
+	chain.RemoveHandler(".", nbdns.PriorityDefault)
+	assert.False(t, chain.HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(nbdns.PriorityUpstream))
+
+	// Primary nsgroup case: root handler lands at PriorityUpstream.
+	chain.AddHandler(".", h, nbdns.PriorityUpstream)
+	assert.True(t, chain.HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(nbdns.PriorityUpstream), "root at PriorityUpstream included")
+	chain.RemoveHandler(".", nbdns.PriorityUpstream)
+
+	// Fallback case: original /etc/resolv.conf entries land at PriorityFallback.
+	chain.AddHandler(".", h, nbdns.PriorityFallback)
+	assert.True(t, chain.HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(nbdns.PriorityUpstream), "root at PriorityFallback included")
+	chain.RemoveHandler(".", nbdns.PriorityFallback)
+	assert.False(t, chain.HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(nbdns.PriorityUpstream))
+}

client/internal/dns/host_unix.go

@@ -46,12 +46,12 @@ type restoreHostManager interface {
 }
 
 func newHostManager(wgInterface string) (hostManager, error) {
-	osManager, err := getOSDNSManagerType()
+	osManager, reason, err := getOSDNSManagerType()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get os dns manager type: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("System DNS manager discovered: %s", osManager)
+	log.Infof("System DNS manager discovered: %s (%s)", osManager, reason)
 	mgr, err := newHostManagerFromType(wgInterface, osManager)
 	// need to explicitly return nil mgr on error to avoid returning a non-nil interface containing a nil value
 	if err != nil {
@@ -74,17 +74,49 @@ func newHostManagerFromType(wgInterface string, osManager osManagerType) (restor
 	}
 }
 
-func getOSDNSManagerType() (osManagerType, error) {
+func getOSDNSManagerType() (osManagerType, string, error) {
+	resolved := isSystemdResolvedRunning()
+	nss := isLibnssResolveUsed()
+	stub := checkStub()
+
+	// Prefer systemd-resolved whenever it owns libc resolution, regardless of
+	// who wrote /etc/resolv.conf. File-mode rewrites do not affect lookups
+	// that go through nss-resolve, and in foreign mode they can loop back
+	// through resolved as an upstream.
+	if resolved && (nss || stub) {
+		return systemdManager, fmt.Sprintf("systemd-resolved active (nss-resolve=%t, stub=%t)", nss, stub), nil
+	}
+
+	mgr, reason, rejected, err := scanResolvConfHeader()
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, "", err
+	}
+	if reason != "" {
+		return mgr, reason, nil
+	}
+
+	fallback := fmt.Sprintf("no manager matched (resolved=%t, nss-resolve=%t, stub=%t)", resolved, nss, stub)
+	if len(rejected) > 0 {
+		fallback += "; rejected: " + strings.Join(rejected, ", ")
+	}
+	return fileManager, fallback, nil
+}
+
+// scanResolvConfHeader walks /etc/resolv.conf header comments and returns the
+// matching manager. If reason is empty the caller should pick file mode and
+// use rejected for diagnostics.
+func scanResolvConfHeader() (osManagerType, string, []string, error) {
 	file, err := os.Open(defaultResolvConfPath)
 	if err != nil {
-		return 0, fmt.Errorf("unable to open %s for checking owner, got error: %w", defaultResolvConfPath, err)
+		return 0, "", nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to open %s for checking owner, got error: %w", defaultResolvConfPath, err)
 	}
 	defer func() {
-		if err := file.Close(); err != nil {
-			log.Errorf("close file %s: %s", defaultResolvConfPath, err)
+		if cerr := file.Close(); cerr != nil {
+			log.Errorf("close file %s: %s", defaultResolvConfPath, cerr)
 		}
 	}()
 
+	var rejected []string
 	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(file)
 	for scanner.Scan() {
 		text := scanner.Text()
@@ -92,41 +124,48 @@ func getOSDNSManagerType() (osManagerType, error) {
 			continue
 		}
 		if text[0] != '#' {
-			return fileManager, nil
+			break
 		}
-		if strings.Contains(text, fileGeneratedResolvConfContentHeader) {
-			return netbirdManager, nil
-		}
-		if strings.Contains(text, "NetworkManager") && isDbusListenerRunning(networkManagerDest, networkManagerDbusObjectNode) && isNetworkManagerSupported() {
-			return networkManager, nil
-		}
-		if strings.Contains(text, "systemd-resolved") && isSystemdResolvedRunning() {
-			if checkStub() {
-				return systemdManager, nil
-			} else {
-				return fileManager, nil
-			}
-		}
-		if strings.Contains(text, "resolvconf") {
-			if isSystemdResolveConfMode() {
-				return systemdManager, nil
-			}
-
-			return resolvConfManager, nil
+		if mgr, reason, rej := matchResolvConfHeader(text); reason != "" {
+			return mgr, reason, nil, nil
+		} else if rej != "" {
+			rejected = append(rejected, rej)
 		}
 	}
 	if err := scanner.Err(); err != nil && err != io.EOF {
-		return 0, fmt.Errorf("scan: %w", err)
+		return 0, "", nil, fmt.Errorf("scan: %w", err)
 	}
-
-	return fileManager, nil
+	return 0, "", rejected, nil
 }
 
-// checkStub checks if the stub resolver is disabled in systemd-resolved. If it is disabled, we fall back to file manager.
+// matchResolvConfHeader inspects a single comment line. Returns either a
+// definitive (manager, reason) or a non-empty rejected diagnostic.
+func matchResolvConfHeader(text string) (osManagerType, string, string) {
+	if strings.Contains(text, fileGeneratedResolvConfContentHeader) {
+		return netbirdManager, "netbird-managed resolv.conf header detected", ""
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(text, "NetworkManager") {
+		if isDbusListenerRunning(networkManagerDest, networkManagerDbusObjectNode) && isNetworkManagerSupported() {
+			return networkManager, "NetworkManager header + supported version on dbus", ""
+		}
+		return 0, "", "NetworkManager header (no dbus or unsupported version)"
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(text, "resolvconf") {
+		if isSystemdResolveConfMode() {
+			return systemdManager, "resolvconf header in systemd-resolved compatibility mode", ""
+		}
+		return resolvConfManager, "resolvconf header detected", ""
+	}
+	return 0, "", ""
+}
+
+// checkStub reports whether systemd-resolved's stub (127.0.0.53) is listed
+// in /etc/resolv.conf. On parse failure we assume it is, to avoid dropping
+// into file mode while resolved is active.
 func checkStub() bool {
 	rConf, err := parseDefaultResolvConf()
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("failed to parse resolv conf: %s", err)
+		log.Warnf("failed to parse resolv conf, assuming stub is active: %s", err)
 		return true
 	}
 
@@ -139,3 +178,36 @@ func checkStub() bool {
 
 	return false
 }
+
+// isLibnssResolveUsed reports whether nss-resolve is listed before dns on
+// the hosts: line of /etc/nsswitch.conf. When it is, libc lookups are
+// delegated to systemd-resolved regardless of /etc/resolv.conf.
+func isLibnssResolveUsed() bool {
+	bs, err := os.ReadFile(nsswitchConfPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("read %s: %v", nsswitchConfPath, err)
+		return false
+	}
+	return parseNsswitchResolveAhead(bs)
+}
+
+func parseNsswitchResolveAhead(data []byte) bool {
+	for _, line := range strings.Split(string(data), "\n") {
+		if i := strings.IndexByte(line, '#'); i >= 0 {
+			line = line[:i]
+		}
+		fields := strings.Fields(line)
+		if len(fields) < 2 || fields[0] != "hosts:" {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, module := range fields[1:] {
+			switch module {
+			case "dns":
+				return false
+			case "resolve":
+				return true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}

client/internal/dns/host_unix_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+//go:build (linux && !android) || freebsd
+
+package dns
+
+import "testing"
+
+func TestParseNsswitchResolveAhead(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		in   string
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "resolve before dns with action token",
+			in:   "hosts: mymachines resolve [!UNAVAIL=return] files myhostname dns\n",
+			want: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "dns before resolve",
+			in:   "hosts: files mdns4_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] dns resolve\n",
+			want: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "debian default with only dns",
+			in:   "hosts: files mdns4_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] dns mymachines\n",
+			want: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "neither resolve nor dns",
+			in:   "hosts: files myhostname\n",
+			want: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "no hosts line",
+			in:   "passwd: files systemd\ngroup: files systemd\n",
+			want: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "empty",
+			in:   "",
+			want: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "comments and blank lines ignored",
+			in:   "# comment\n\n# another\nhosts: resolve dns\n",
+			want: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "trailing inline comment",
+			in:   "hosts: resolve [!UNAVAIL=return] dns # fallback\n",
+			want: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "hosts token must be the first field",
+			in:   "  hosts: resolve dns\n",
+			want: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "other db line mentioning resolve is ignored",
+			in:   "networks: resolve\nhosts: dns\n",
+			want: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "only resolve, no dns",
+			in:   "hosts: files resolve\n",
+			want: true,
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if got := parseNsswitchResolveAhead([]byte(tt.in)); got != tt.want {
+				t.Errorf("parseNsswitchResolveAhead() = %v, want %v", got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

client/internal/dns/mgmt/bypass_resolver.go

@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+package mgmt
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"net/netip"
+
+	nbnet "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/net"
+)
+
+// NewBypassResolver builds a *net.Resolver that sends queries directly to
+// the supplied nameservers through a socket that bypasses the NetBird
+// overlay interface. This lets the mgmt cache refresh control-plane
+// FQDNs (api/signal/relay/stun/turn) even when an exit-node default
+// route is installed on the overlay before its peer is live.
+//
+// Returns nil if nameservers is empty. The caller must not pass
+// loopback/overlay IPs (e.g. 127.0.0.1, the overlay listener address);
+// those would defeat the purpose of bypassing.
+func NewBypassResolver(nameservers []netip.Addr) *net.Resolver {
+	if len(nameservers) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	servers := make([]string, 0, len(nameservers))
+	for _, ns := range nameservers {
+		if !ns.IsValid() || ns.IsLoopback() || ns.IsUnspecified() {
+			continue
+		}
+		servers = append(servers, netip.AddrPortFrom(ns, 53).String())
+	}
+	if len(servers) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return &net.Resolver{
+		PreferGo: true,
+		Dial: func(ctx context.Context, network, _ string) (net.Conn, error) {
+			nbDialer := nbnet.NewDialer()
+			var lastErr error
+			for _, ns := range servers {
+				conn, err := nbDialer.DialContext(ctx, network, ns)
+				if err == nil {
+					return conn, nil
+				}
+				lastErr = err
+			}
+			if lastErr == nil {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("no bypass nameservers configured")
+			}
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("dial bypass nameservers: %w", lastErr)
+		},
+	}
+}

client/internal/dns/mgmt/mgmt.go

@@ -2,40 +2,92 @@ package mgmt
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
-	"net/netip"
 	"net/url"
+	"os"
+	"slices"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"golang.org/x/sync/singleflight"
 
 	dnsconfig "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/config"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/resutil"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
 )
 
-const dnsTimeout = 5 * time.Second
+const (
+	dnsTimeout     = 5 * time.Second
+	defaultTTL     = 300 * time.Second
+	refreshBackoff = 30 * time.Second
 
-// Resolver caches critical NetBird infrastructure domains
+	// envMgmtCacheTTL overrides defaultTTL for integration/dev testing.
+	envMgmtCacheTTL = "NB_MGMT_CACHE_TTL"
+)
+
+// ChainResolver lets the cache refresh stale entries through the DNS handler
+// chain instead of net.DefaultResolver, avoiding loopback when NetBird is the
+// system resolver.
+type ChainResolver interface {
+	ResolveInternal(ctx context.Context, msg *dns.Msg, maxPriority int) (*dns.Msg, error)
+	HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(maxPriority int) bool
+}
+
+// cachedRecord holds DNS records plus timestamps used for TTL refresh.
+// records and cachedAt are set at construction and treated as immutable;
+// lastFailedRefresh and consecFailures are mutable and must be accessed under
+// Resolver.mutex.
+type cachedRecord struct {
+	records           []dns.RR
+	cachedAt          time.Time
+	lastFailedRefresh time.Time
+	consecFailures    int
+}
+
+// Resolver caches critical NetBird infrastructure domains.
+// records, refreshing, mgmtDomain and serverDomains are all guarded by mutex.
 type Resolver struct {
-	records       map[dns.Question][]dns.RR
+	records       map[dns.Question]*cachedRecord
 	mgmtDomain    *domain.Domain
 	serverDomains *dnsconfig.ServerDomains
 	mutex         sync.RWMutex
-}
 
-type ipsResponse struct {
-	ips []netip.Addr
-	err error
+	chain            ChainResolver
+	chainMaxPriority int
+	refreshGroup     singleflight.Group
+
+	// refreshing tracks questions whose refresh is running via the OS
+	// fallback path. A ServeDNS hit for a question in this map indicates
+	// the OS resolver routed the recursive query back to us (loop). Only
+	// the OS path arms this so chain-path refreshes don't produce false
+	// positives. The atomic bool is CAS-flipped once per refresh to
+	// throttle the warning log.
+	refreshing map[dns.Question]*atomic.Bool
+
+	cacheTTL time.Duration
+
+	// bypassResolver, when non-nil, is used by osLookup instead of
+	// net.DefaultResolver. It is constructed by the caller to dial the
+	// original (pre-NetBird) system nameservers through a socket that
+	// bypasses the overlay interface (control-plane fwmark / bound iface),
+	// so that when an exit-node default route is installed before a peer
+	// is handshaked the refresh does not fail with ENOKEY.
+	bypassResolver *net.Resolver
 }
 
 // NewResolver creates a new management domains cache resolver.
 func NewResolver() *Resolver {
 	return &Resolver{
-		records: make(map[dns.Question][]dns.RR),
+		records:    make(map[dns.Question]*cachedRecord),
+		refreshing: make(map[dns.Question]*atomic.Bool),
+		cacheTTL:   resolveCacheTTL(),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -44,7 +96,39 @@ func (m *Resolver) String() string {
 	return "MgmtCacheResolver"
 }
 
-// ServeDNS implements dns.Handler interface.
+// SetChainResolver wires the handler chain used to refresh stale cache entries.
+// maxPriority caps which handlers may answer refresh queries (typically
+// PriorityUpstream, so upstream/default/fallback handlers are consulted and
+// mgmt/route/local handlers are skipped).
+func (m *Resolver) SetChainResolver(chain ChainResolver, maxPriority int) {
+	m.mutex.Lock()
+	m.chain = chain
+	m.chainMaxPriority = maxPriority
+	m.mutex.Unlock()
+}
+
+// SetBypassResolver installs a resolver that osLookup uses instead of
+// net.DefaultResolver. It is intended to dial the original (pre-NetBird)
+// system nameservers through a socket that does not follow the overlay
+// default route, so that a refresh initiated while an exit node is active
+// but its WireGuard peer is not yet installed cannot deadlock on ENOKEY.
+// Passing nil restores use of net.DefaultResolver.
+func (m *Resolver) SetBypassResolver(r *net.Resolver) {
+	m.mutex.Lock()
+	m.bypassResolver = r
+	m.mutex.Unlock()
+}
+
+// ServeDNS serves cached A/AAAA records. Stale entries are returned
+// immediately and refreshed asynchronously (stale-while-revalidate).
+//
+// If the query name is not in the cache but falls under a pool-root
+// domain (a domain the mgmt advertised in ServerDomains.Relay, whose
+// instance subdomains like streamline-de-fra1-0.relay.netbird.io are
+// part of the relay pool), resolve it on demand through the bypass
+// resolver and cache the result. This is what lets the daemon reach
+// a foreign relay FQDN after an exit-node default route has been
+// installed on the overlay before its peer is live.
 func (m *Resolver) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 	if len(r.Question) == 0 {
 		m.continueToNext(w, r)
@@ -60,20 +144,42 @@ func (m *Resolver) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 	}
 
 	m.mutex.RLock()
-	records, found := m.records[question]
+	cached, found := m.records[question]
+	inflight := m.refreshing[question]
+	var shouldRefresh bool
+	if found {
+		stale := time.Since(cached.cachedAt) > m.cacheTTL
+		inBackoff := !cached.lastFailedRefresh.IsZero() && time.Since(cached.lastFailedRefresh) < refreshBackoff
+		shouldRefresh = stale && !inBackoff
+	}
 	m.mutex.RUnlock()
 
 	if !found {
+		if m.isUnderPoolRoot(question.Name) {
+			m.resolveOnDemand(w, r, question)
+			return
+		}
 		m.continueToNext(w, r)
 		return
 	}
 
+	if inflight != nil && inflight.CompareAndSwap(false, true) {
+		log.Warnf("mgmt cache: possible resolver loop for domain=%s: served stale while an OS-fallback refresh was inflight (if NetBird is the system resolver, the OS-path predicate is wrong)",
+			question.Name)
+	}
+
+	// Skip scheduling a refresh goroutine if one is already inflight for
+	// this question; singleflight would dedup anyway but skipping avoids
+	// a parked goroutine per stale hit under bursty load.
+	if shouldRefresh && inflight == nil {
+		m.scheduleRefresh(question, cached)
+	}
+
 	resp := &dns.Msg{}
 	resp.SetReply(r)
 	resp.Authoritative = false
 	resp.RecursionAvailable = true
-
-	resp.Answer = append(resp.Answer, records...)
+	resp.Answer = cloneRecordsWithTTL(cached.records, m.responseTTL(cached.cachedAt))
 
 	log.Debugf("serving %d cached records for domain=%s", len(resp.Answer), question.Name)
 
@@ -82,12 +188,117 @@ func (m *Resolver) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 	}
 }
 
-// MatchSubdomains returns false since this resolver only handles exact domain matches
-// for NetBird infrastructure domains (signal, relay, flow, etc.), not their subdomains.
+// MatchSubdomains returns false by default: the bare resolver is registered
+// against exact domains. Pool-root domains (currently Relay entries from
+// ServerDomains) are registered through a subdomain-matching wrapper at
+// the call site instead, so instance subdomains hit this handler and get
+// the on-demand resolve path in ServeDNS.
 func (m *Resolver) MatchSubdomains() bool {
 	return false
 }
 
+// isUnderPoolRoot reports whether fqdn is an instance subdomain under any
+// pool-root domain advertised by the mgmt (currently ServerDomains.Relay),
+// e.g. "streamline-de-fra1-0.relay.netbird.io." is under "relay.netbird.io".
+// The pool-root itself is not considered a subdomain (it matches the exact
+// cache entry populated by AddDomain instead).
+//
+// Canonicalization mirrors server.toZone — lowercase, strip trailing dot,
+// and strip a leading "*." wildcard (via canonicalizePoolDomain) — so the
+// membership check is consistent with the handler-chain registration that
+// runs the same set through toZone. toZone itself lives in the parent dns
+// package and cannot be imported from here without a cycle.
+func (m *Resolver) isUnderPoolRoot(fqdn string) bool {
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	defer m.mutex.RUnlock()
+	if m.serverDomains == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	fqdn = canonicalizePoolDomain(fqdn)
+	if fqdn == "" {
+		return false
+	}
+	for _, root := range m.serverDomains.Relay {
+		r := canonicalizePoolDomain(root.PunycodeString())
+		if r == "" || fqdn == r {
+			continue
+		}
+		if strings.HasSuffix(fqdn, "."+r) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// canonicalizePoolDomain normalizes a domain for pool-root membership
+// comparison: lowercase, trailing dot stripped, leading "*." wildcard
+// stripped. Matches the transformation server.toZone applies on the
+// handler-registration side (modulo trailing-dot orientation, which is
+// self-consistent within this file).
+func canonicalizePoolDomain(s string) string {
+	s = strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSuffix(s, "."))
+	s = strings.TrimPrefix(s, "*.")
+	return s
+}
+
+// resolveOnDemand resolves an uncached pool-root subdomain (e.g. a relay
+// instance FQDN) through the bypass resolver path, caches the result, and
+// writes it back to w. Falls through to the next handler on error so the
+// normal chain can still attempt the resolve.
+func (m *Resolver) resolveOnDemand(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg, question dns.Question) {
+	d, err := domain.FromString(strings.TrimSuffix(question.Name, "."))
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("on-demand resolve: parse domain %q: %v", question.Name, err)
+		m.continueToNext(w, r)
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Collapse concurrent on-demand lookups for the same (name, qtype) into
+	// a single upstream query via singleflight. A burst of parallel queries
+	// for a freshly-learned pool-root subdomain (e.g. multiple peer workers
+	// dialing the same foreign relay, or A + AAAA racing each other) would
+	// otherwise each hit the bypass resolver independently. The prefix
+	// namespaces this key off scheduleRefresh's keyspace so the two paths
+	// can coexist without collisions.
+	key := "ondemand:" + question.Name + ":" + strconv.Itoa(int(question.Qtype))
+	result, err, _ := m.refreshGroup.Do(key, func() (any, error) {
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), dnsTimeout)
+		defer cancel()
+		return m.lookupRecords(ctx, d, question)
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("on-demand resolve %s type=%s: %v",
+			d.SafeString(), dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype], err)
+		m.continueToNext(w, r)
+		return
+	}
+	records, _ := result.([]dns.RR)
+	if len(records) == 0 {
+		m.continueToNext(w, r)
+		return
+	}
+
+	now := time.Now()
+	m.mutex.Lock()
+	if _, exists := m.records[question]; !exists {
+		m.records[question] = &cachedRecord{records: records, cachedAt: now}
+	}
+	m.mutex.Unlock()
+
+	resp := &dns.Msg{}
+	resp.SetReply(r)
+	resp.Authoritative = false
+	resp.RecursionAvailable = true
+	resp.Answer = cloneRecordsWithTTL(records, uint32(m.cacheTTL.Seconds()))
+
+	log.Debugf("on-demand resolved %d records for domain=%s", len(resp.Answer), question.Name)
+
+	if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("failed to write on-demand response: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+
 // continueToNext signals the handler chain to continue to the next handler.
 func (m *Resolver) continueToNext(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 	resp := &dns.Msg{}
@@ -98,101 +309,289 @@ func (m *Resolver) continueToNext(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 	}
 }
 
-// AddDomain manually adds a domain to cache by resolving it.
+// AddDomain resolves a domain and stores its A/AAAA records in the cache.
+// A family that resolves NODATA (nil err, zero records) evicts any stale
+// entry for that qtype.
 func (m *Resolver) AddDomain(ctx context.Context, d domain.Domain) error {
 	dnsName := strings.ToLower(dns.Fqdn(d.PunycodeString()))
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, dnsTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
-	ips, err := lookupIPWithExtraTimeout(ctx, d)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
+	aRecords, aaaaRecords, errA, errAAAA := m.lookupBoth(ctx, d, dnsName)
+
+	if errA != nil && errAAAA != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("resolve %s: %w", d.SafeString(), errors.Join(errA, errAAAA))
 	}
 
-	var aRecords, aaaaRecords []dns.RR
-	for _, ip := range ips {
-		if ip.Is4() {
-			rr := &dns.A{
-				Hdr: dns.RR_Header{
-					Name:   dnsName,
-					Rrtype: dns.TypeA,
-					Class:  dns.ClassINET,
-					Ttl:    300,
-				},
-				A: ip.AsSlice(),
-			}
-			aRecords = append(aRecords, rr)
-		} else if ip.Is6() {
-			rr := &dns.AAAA{
-				Hdr: dns.RR_Header{
-					Name:   dnsName,
-					Rrtype: dns.TypeAAAA,
-					Class:  dns.ClassINET,
-					Ttl:    300,
-				},
-				AAAA: ip.AsSlice(),
-			}
-			aaaaRecords = append(aaaaRecords, rr)
+	if len(aRecords) == 0 && len(aaaaRecords) == 0 {
+		if err := errors.Join(errA, errAAAA); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("resolve %s: no A/AAAA records: %w", d.SafeString(), err)
 		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("resolve %s: no A/AAAA records", d.SafeString())
 	}
 
+	now := time.Now()
 	m.mutex.Lock()
+	defer m.mutex.Unlock()
 
-	if len(aRecords) > 0 {
-		aQuestion := dns.Question{
-			Name:   dnsName,
-			Qtype:  dns.TypeA,
-			Qclass: dns.ClassINET,
-		}
-		m.records[aQuestion] = aRecords
-	}
+	m.applyFamilyRecords(dnsName, dns.TypeA, aRecords, errA, now)
+	m.applyFamilyRecords(dnsName, dns.TypeAAAA, aaaaRecords, errAAAA, now)
 
-	if len(aaaaRecords) > 0 {
-		aaaaQuestion := dns.Question{
-			Name:   dnsName,
-			Qtype:  dns.TypeAAAA,
-			Qclass: dns.ClassINET,
-		}
-		m.records[aaaaQuestion] = aaaaRecords
-	}
-
-	m.mutex.Unlock()
-
-	log.Debugf("added domain=%s with %d A records and %d AAAA records",
+	log.Debugf("added/updated domain=%s with %d A records and %d AAAA records",
 		d.SafeString(), len(aRecords), len(aaaaRecords))
 
 	return nil
 }
 
-func lookupIPWithExtraTimeout(ctx context.Context, d domain.Domain) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
-	log.Infof("looking up IP for mgmt domain=%s", d.SafeString())
-	defer log.Infof("done looking up IP for mgmt domain=%s", d.SafeString())
-	resultChan := make(chan *ipsResponse, 1)
+// applyFamilyRecords writes records, evicts on NODATA, leaves the cache
+// untouched on error. Caller holds m.mutex.
+func (m *Resolver) applyFamilyRecords(dnsName string, qtype uint16, records []dns.RR, err error, now time.Time) {
+	q := dns.Question{Name: dnsName, Qtype: qtype, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}
+	switch {
+	case len(records) > 0:
+		m.records[q] = &cachedRecord{records: records, cachedAt: now}
+	case err == nil:
+		delete(m.records, q)
+	}
+}
 
-	go func() {
-		ips, err := net.DefaultResolver.LookupNetIP(ctx, "ip", d.PunycodeString())
-		resultChan <- &ipsResponse{
-			err: err,
-			ips: ips,
+// scheduleRefresh kicks off an async refresh. DoChan spawns one goroutine per
+// unique in-flight key; bursty stale hits share its channel. expected is the
+// cachedRecord pointer observed by the caller; the refresh only mutates the
+// cache if that pointer is still the one stored, so a stale in-flight refresh
+// can't clobber a newer entry written by AddDomain or a competing refresh.
+func (m *Resolver) scheduleRefresh(question dns.Question, expected *cachedRecord) {
+	key := question.Name + "|" + dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype]
+	_ = m.refreshGroup.DoChan(key, func() (any, error) {
+		return nil, m.refreshQuestion(question, expected)
+	})
+}
+
+// refreshQuestion replaces the cached records on success, or marks the entry
+// failed (arming the backoff) on failure. While this runs, ServeDNS can detect
+// a resolver loop by spotting a query for this same question arriving on us.
+// expected pins the cache entry observed at schedule time; mutations only apply
+// if m.records[question] still points at it.
+func (m *Resolver) refreshQuestion(question dns.Question, expected *cachedRecord) error {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), dnsTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	d, err := domain.FromString(strings.TrimSuffix(question.Name, "."))
+	if err != nil {
+		m.markRefreshFailed(question, expected)
+		return fmt.Errorf("parse domain: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	records, err := m.lookupRecords(ctx, d, question)
+	if err != nil {
+		fails := m.markRefreshFailed(question, expected)
+		logf := log.Warnf
+		if fails == 0 || fails > 1 {
+			logf = log.Debugf
 		}
-	}()
-
-	var resp *ipsResponse
-
-	select {
-	case <-time.After(dnsTimeout + time.Millisecond*500):
-		log.Warnf("timed out waiting for IP for mgmt domain=%s", d.SafeString())
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("timed out waiting for ips to be available for domain %s", d.SafeString())
-	case <-ctx.Done():
-		return nil, ctx.Err()
-	case resp = <-resultChan:
+		logf("refresh mgmt cache domain=%s type=%s: %v (consecutive failures=%d)",
+			d.SafeString(), dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype], err, fails)
+		return err
 	}
 
-	if resp.err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("resolve domain %s: %w", d.SafeString(), resp.err)
+	// NOERROR/NODATA: family gone upstream, evict so we stop serving stale.
+	if len(records) == 0 {
+		m.mutex.Lock()
+		if m.records[question] == expected {
+			delete(m.records, question)
+			m.mutex.Unlock()
+			log.Infof("removed mgmt cache domain=%s type=%s: no records returned",
+				d.SafeString(), dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype])
+			return nil
+		}
+		m.mutex.Unlock()
+		log.Debugf("skipping refresh evict for domain=%s type=%s: entry changed during refresh",
+			d.SafeString(), dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype])
+		return nil
 	}
-	return resp.ips, nil
+
+	now := time.Now()
+	m.mutex.Lock()
+	if m.records[question] != expected {
+		m.mutex.Unlock()
+		log.Debugf("skipping refresh write for domain=%s type=%s: entry changed during refresh",
+			d.SafeString(), dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype])
+		return nil
+	}
+	m.records[question] = &cachedRecord{records: records, cachedAt: now}
+	m.mutex.Unlock()
+
+	log.Infof("refreshed mgmt cache domain=%s type=%s",
+		d.SafeString(), dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype])
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *Resolver) markRefreshing(question dns.Question) {
+	m.mutex.Lock()
+	m.refreshing[question] = &atomic.Bool{}
+	m.mutex.Unlock()
+}
+
+func (m *Resolver) clearRefreshing(question dns.Question) {
+	m.mutex.Lock()
+	delete(m.refreshing, question)
+	m.mutex.Unlock()
+}
+
+// markRefreshFailed arms the backoff and returns the new consecutive-failure
+// count so callers can downgrade subsequent failure logs to debug.
+func (m *Resolver) markRefreshFailed(question dns.Question, expected *cachedRecord) int {
+	m.mutex.Lock()
+	defer m.mutex.Unlock()
+	c, ok := m.records[question]
+	if !ok || c != expected {
+		return 0
+	}
+	c.lastFailedRefresh = time.Now()
+	c.consecFailures++
+	return c.consecFailures
+}
+
+// lookupBoth resolves A and AAAA via bypass resolver, chain, or OS.
+// Per-family errors let callers tell records, NODATA (nil err, no records),
+// and failure apart.
+//
+// Preference order:
+//  1. bypassResolver (direct, overlay-bypassing dial to original system
+//     nameservers; immune to the exit-node ENOKEY race).
+//  2. chain (handler chain; used when NetBird is the system resolver and
+//     no bypass resolver is installed).
+//  3. net.DefaultResolver via osLookup (legacy fallback).
+func (m *Resolver) lookupBoth(ctx context.Context, d domain.Domain, dnsName string) (aRecords, aaaaRecords []dns.RR, errA, errAAAA error) {
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	chain := m.chain
+	maxPriority := m.chainMaxPriority
+	bypass := m.bypassResolver
+	m.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	if bypass != nil {
+		aRecords, errA = m.osLookup(ctx, d, dnsName, dns.TypeA)
+		aaaaRecords, errAAAA = m.osLookup(ctx, d, dnsName, dns.TypeAAAA)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if chain != nil && chain.HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(maxPriority) {
+		aRecords, errA = m.lookupViaChain(ctx, chain, maxPriority, dnsName, dns.TypeA)
+		aaaaRecords, errAAAA = m.lookupViaChain(ctx, chain, maxPriority, dnsName, dns.TypeAAAA)
+		return
+	}
+
+	// TODO: drop once every supported OS registers a fallback resolver. Safe
+	// today: no root handler at priority ≤ PriorityUpstream means NetBird is
+	// not the system resolver, so net.DefaultResolver will not loop back.
+	aRecords, errA = m.osLookup(ctx, d, dnsName, dns.TypeA)
+	aaaaRecords, errAAAA = m.osLookup(ctx, d, dnsName, dns.TypeAAAA)
+	return
+}
+
+// lookupRecords resolves a single record type. See lookupBoth for the
+// preference order. The OS branch arms the loop detector for the duration
+// of its call so that ServeDNS can spot the OS resolver routing the
+// recursive query back to us; the bypass branch skips the loop detector
+// because its dial does not enter the system resolver.
+func (m *Resolver) lookupRecords(ctx context.Context, d domain.Domain, q dns.Question) ([]dns.RR, error) {
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	chain := m.chain
+	maxPriority := m.chainMaxPriority
+	bypass := m.bypassResolver
+	m.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	if bypass != nil {
+		return m.osLookup(ctx, d, q.Name, q.Qtype)
+	}
+
+	if chain != nil && chain.HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(maxPriority) {
+		return m.lookupViaChain(ctx, chain, maxPriority, q.Name, q.Qtype)
+	}
+
+	// TODO: drop once every supported OS registers a fallback resolver.
+	m.markRefreshing(q)
+	defer m.clearRefreshing(q)
+
+	return m.osLookup(ctx, d, q.Name, q.Qtype)
+}
+
+// lookupViaChain resolves via the handler chain and rewrites each RR to use
+// dnsName as owner and m.cacheTTL as TTL, so CNAME-backed domains don't cache
+// target-owned records or upstream TTLs. NODATA returns (nil, nil).
+func (m *Resolver) lookupViaChain(ctx context.Context, chain ChainResolver, maxPriority int, dnsName string, qtype uint16) ([]dns.RR, error) {
+	msg := &dns.Msg{}
+	msg.SetQuestion(dnsName, qtype)
+	msg.RecursionDesired = true
+
+	resp, err := chain.ResolveInternal(ctx, msg, maxPriority)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("chain resolve: %w", err)
+	}
+	if resp == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("chain resolve returned nil response")
+	}
+	if resp.Rcode != dns.RcodeSuccess {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("chain resolve rcode=%s", dns.RcodeToString[resp.Rcode])
+	}
+
+	ttl := uint32(m.cacheTTL.Seconds())
+	owners := cnameOwners(dnsName, resp.Answer)
+	var filtered []dns.RR
+	for _, rr := range resp.Answer {
+		h := rr.Header()
+		if h.Class != dns.ClassINET || h.Rrtype != qtype {
+			continue
+		}
+		if !owners[strings.ToLower(dns.Fqdn(h.Name))] {
+			continue
+		}
+		if cp := cloneIPRecord(rr, dnsName, ttl); cp != nil {
+			filtered = append(filtered, cp)
+		}
+	}
+	return filtered, nil
+}
+
+// osLookup resolves a single family via the bypass resolver (if configured)
+// or net.DefaultResolver using resutil, which disambiguates NODATA from
+// NXDOMAIN and Unmaps v4-mapped-v6. NODATA returns (nil, nil).
+func (m *Resolver) osLookup(ctx context.Context, d domain.Domain, dnsName string, qtype uint16) ([]dns.RR, error) {
+	network := resutil.NetworkForQtype(qtype)
+	if network == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unsupported qtype %s", dns.TypeToString[qtype])
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("looking up IP for mgmt domain=%s type=%s", d.SafeString(), dns.TypeToString[qtype])
+	defer log.Infof("done looking up IP for mgmt domain=%s type=%s", d.SafeString(), dns.TypeToString[qtype])
+
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	resolver := m.bypassResolver
+	m.mutex.RUnlock()
+	if resolver == nil {
+		resolver = net.DefaultResolver
+	}
+
+	result := resutil.LookupIP(ctx, resolver, network, d.PunycodeString(), qtype)
+	if result.Rcode == dns.RcodeSuccess {
+		return resutil.IPsToRRs(dnsName, result.IPs, uint32(m.cacheTTL.Seconds())), nil
+	}
+
+	if result.Err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("resolve %s type=%s: %w", d.SafeString(), dns.TypeToString[qtype], result.Err)
+	}
+	return nil, fmt.Errorf("resolve %s type=%s: rcode=%s", d.SafeString(), dns.TypeToString[qtype], dns.RcodeToString[result.Rcode])
+}
+
+// responseTTL returns the remaining cache lifetime in seconds (rounded up),
+// so downstream resolvers don't cache an answer for longer than we will.
+func (m *Resolver) responseTTL(cachedAt time.Time) uint32 {
+	remaining := m.cacheTTL - time.Since(cachedAt)
+	if remaining <= 0 {
+		return 0
+	}
+	return uint32((remaining + time.Second - 1) / time.Second)
 }
 
 // PopulateFromConfig extracts and caches domains from the client configuration.
@@ -224,24 +623,35 @@ func (m *Resolver) RemoveDomain(d domain.Domain) error {
 	m.mutex.Lock()
 	defer m.mutex.Unlock()
 
-	aQuestion := dns.Question{
-		Name:   dnsName,
-		Qtype:  dns.TypeA,
-		Qclass: dns.ClassINET,
-	}
-	delete(m.records, aQuestion)
-
-	aaaaQuestion := dns.Question{
-		Name:   dnsName,
-		Qtype:  dns.TypeAAAA,
-		Qclass: dns.ClassINET,
-	}
-	delete(m.records, aaaaQuestion)
+	qA := dns.Question{Name: dnsName, Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}
+	qAAAA := dns.Question{Name: dnsName, Qtype: dns.TypeAAAA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}
+	delete(m.records, qA)
+	delete(m.records, qAAAA)
+	delete(m.refreshing, qA)
+	delete(m.refreshing, qAAAA)
 
 	log.Debugf("removed domain=%s from cache", d.SafeString())
 	return nil
 }
 
+// GetPoolRootDomains returns the set of domains that should be registered
+// with subdomain matching (currently the Relay entries from ServerDomains).
+// Instance subdomains under these roots are resolved on demand in ServeDNS.
+func (m *Resolver) GetPoolRootDomains() domain.List {
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	defer m.mutex.RUnlock()
+	if m.serverDomains == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make(domain.List, 0, len(m.serverDomains.Relay))
+	for _, d := range m.serverDomains.Relay {
+		if d != "" {
+			out = append(out, d)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 // GetCachedDomains returns a list of all cached domains.
 func (m *Resolver) GetCachedDomains() domain.List {
 	m.mutex.RLock()
@@ -394,3 +804,73 @@ func (m *Resolver) extractDomainsFromServerDomains(serverDomains dnsconfig.Serve
 
 	return domains
 }
+
+// cloneIPRecord returns a deep copy of rr retargeted to owner with ttl. Non
+// A/AAAA records return nil.
+func cloneIPRecord(rr dns.RR, owner string, ttl uint32) dns.RR {
+	switch r := rr.(type) {
+	case *dns.A:
+		cp := *r
+		cp.Hdr.Name = owner
+		cp.Hdr.Ttl = ttl
+		cp.A = slices.Clone(r.A)
+		return &cp
+	case *dns.AAAA:
+		cp := *r
+		cp.Hdr.Name = owner
+		cp.Hdr.Ttl = ttl
+		cp.AAAA = slices.Clone(r.AAAA)
+		return &cp
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// cloneRecordsWithTTL clones A/AAAA records preserving their owner and
+// stamping ttl so the response shares no memory with the cached slice.
+func cloneRecordsWithTTL(records []dns.RR, ttl uint32) []dns.RR {
+	out := make([]dns.RR, 0, len(records))
+	for _, rr := range records {
+		if cp := cloneIPRecord(rr, rr.Header().Name, ttl); cp != nil {
+			out = append(out, cp)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// cnameOwners returns dnsName plus every target reachable by following CNAMEs
+// in answer, iterating until fixed point so out-of-order chains resolve.
+func cnameOwners(dnsName string, answer []dns.RR) map[string]bool {
+	owners := map[string]bool{dnsName: true}
+	for {
+		added := false
+		for _, rr := range answer {
+			cname, ok := rr.(*dns.CNAME)
+			if !ok {
+				continue
+			}
+			name := strings.ToLower(dns.Fqdn(cname.Hdr.Name))
+			if !owners[name] {
+				continue
+			}
+			target := strings.ToLower(dns.Fqdn(cname.Target))
+			if !owners[target] {
+				owners[target] = true
+				added = true
+			}
+		}
+		if !added {
+			return owners
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// resolveCacheTTL reads the cache TTL override env var; invalid or empty
+// values fall back to defaultTTL. Called once per Resolver from NewResolver.
+func resolveCacheTTL() time.Duration {
+	if v := os.Getenv(envMgmtCacheTTL); v != "" {
+		if d, err := time.ParseDuration(v); err == nil && d > 0 {
+			return d
+		}
+	}
+	return defaultTTL
+}

client/internal/dns/mgmt/mgmt_refresh_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,408 @@
+package mgmt
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"net"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/miekg/dns"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/test"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
+)
+
+type fakeChain struct {
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	calls    map[string]int
+	answers  map[string][]dns.RR
+	err      error
+	hasRoot  bool
+	onLookup func()
+}
+
+func newFakeChain() *fakeChain {
+	return &fakeChain{
+		calls:   map[string]int{},
+		answers: map[string][]dns.RR{},
+		hasRoot: true,
+	}
+}
+
+func (f *fakeChain) HasRootHandlerAtOrBelow(maxPriority int) bool {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+	return f.hasRoot
+}
+
+func (f *fakeChain) ResolveInternal(ctx context.Context, msg *dns.Msg, maxPriority int) (*dns.Msg, error) {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	q := msg.Question[0]
+	key := q.Name + "|" + dns.TypeToString[q.Qtype]
+	f.calls[key]++
+	answers := f.answers[key]
+	err := f.err
+	onLookup := f.onLookup
+	f.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if onLookup != nil {
+		onLookup()
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	resp := &dns.Msg{}
+	resp.SetReply(msg)
+	resp.Answer = answers
+	return resp, nil
+}
+
+func (f *fakeChain) setAnswer(name string, qtype uint16, ip string) {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+	key := name + "|" + dns.TypeToString[qtype]
+	hdr := dns.RR_Header{Name: name, Rrtype: qtype, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: 60}
+	switch qtype {
+	case dns.TypeA:
+		f.answers[key] = []dns.RR{&dns.A{Hdr: hdr, A: net.ParseIP(ip).To4()}}
+	case dns.TypeAAAA:
+		f.answers[key] = []dns.RR{&dns.AAAA{Hdr: hdr, AAAA: net.ParseIP(ip).To16()}}
+	}
+}
+
+func (f *fakeChain) callCount(name string, qtype uint16) int {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+	return f.calls[name+"|"+dns.TypeToString[qtype]]
+}
+
+// waitFor polls the predicate until it returns true or the deadline passes.
+func waitFor(t *testing.T, d time.Duration, fn func() bool) {
+	t.Helper()
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(d)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if fn() {
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("condition not met within %s", d)
+}
+
+func queryA(t *testing.T, r *Resolver, name string) *dns.Msg {
+	t.Helper()
+	msg := new(dns.Msg)
+	msg.SetQuestion(name, dns.TypeA)
+	w := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
+	r.ServeDNS(w, msg)
+	return w.GetLastResponse()
+}
+
+func firstA(t *testing.T, resp *dns.Msg) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	require.NotNil(t, resp)
+	require.Greater(t, len(resp.Answer), 0, "expected at least one answer")
+	a, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.A)
+	require.True(t, ok, "expected A record")
+	return a.A.String()
+}
+
+func TestResolver_CacheTTLGatesRefresh(t *testing.T) {
+	// Same cached entry age, different cacheTTL values: the shorter TTL must
+	// trigger a background refresh, the longer one must not. Proves that the
+	// per-Resolver cacheTTL field actually drives the stale decision.
+	cachedAt := time.Now().Add(-100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	newRec := func() *cachedRecord {
+		return &cachedRecord{
+			records: []dns.RR{&dns.A{
+				Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: "mgmt.example.com.", Rrtype: dns.TypeA, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: 60},
+				A:   net.ParseIP("10.0.0.1").To4(),
+			}},
+			cachedAt: cachedAt,
+		}
+	}
+	q := dns.Question{Name: "mgmt.example.com.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}
+
+	t.Run("short TTL treats entry as stale and refreshes", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := NewResolver()
+		r.cacheTTL = 10 * time.Millisecond
+		chain := newFakeChain()
+		chain.setAnswer(q.Name, dns.TypeA, "10.0.0.2")
+		r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+		r.records[q] = newRec()
+
+		resp := queryA(t, r, q.Name)
+		assert.Equal(t, "10.0.0.1", firstA(t, resp), "stale entry must be served while refresh runs")
+
+		waitFor(t, time.Second, func() bool {
+			return chain.callCount(q.Name, dns.TypeA) >= 1
+		})
+	})
+
+	t.Run("long TTL keeps entry fresh and skips refresh", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := NewResolver()
+		r.cacheTTL = time.Hour
+		chain := newFakeChain()
+		chain.setAnswer(q.Name, dns.TypeA, "10.0.0.2")
+		r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+		r.records[q] = newRec()
+
+		resp := queryA(t, r, q.Name)
+		assert.Equal(t, "10.0.0.1", firstA(t, resp))
+
+		time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+		assert.Equal(t, 0, chain.callCount(q.Name, dns.TypeA), "fresh entry must not trigger refresh")
+	})
+}
+
+func TestResolver_ServeFresh_NoRefresh(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+	chain.setAnswer("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeA, "10.0.0.2")
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	r.records[dns.Question{Name: "mgmt.example.com.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}] = &cachedRecord{
+		records: []dns.RR{&dns.A{
+			Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: "mgmt.example.com.", Rrtype: dns.TypeA, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: 60},
+			A:   net.ParseIP("10.0.0.1").To4(),
+		}},
+		cachedAt: time.Now(), // fresh
+	}
+
+	resp := queryA(t, r, "mgmt.example.com.")
+	assert.Equal(t, "10.0.0.1", firstA(t, resp))
+
+	time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, chain.callCount("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeA), "fresh entry must not trigger refresh")
+}
+
+func TestResolver_StaleTriggersAsyncRefresh(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+	chain.setAnswer("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeA, "10.0.0.2")
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	q := dns.Question{Name: "mgmt.example.com.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}
+	r.records[q] = &cachedRecord{
+		records: []dns.RR{&dns.A{
+			Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: q.Name, Rrtype: dns.TypeA, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: 60},
+			A:   net.ParseIP("10.0.0.1").To4(),
+		}},
+		cachedAt: time.Now().Add(-2 * defaultTTL), // stale
+	}
+
+	// First query: serves stale immediately.
+	resp := queryA(t, r, "mgmt.example.com.")
+	assert.Equal(t, "10.0.0.1", firstA(t, resp), "stale entry must be served while refresh runs")
+
+	waitFor(t, time.Second, func() bool {
+		return chain.callCount("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeA) >= 1
+	})
+
+	// Next query should now return the refreshed IP.
+	waitFor(t, time.Second, func() bool {
+		resp := queryA(t, r, "mgmt.example.com.")
+		return resp != nil && len(resp.Answer) > 0 && firstA(t, resp) == "10.0.0.2"
+	})
+}
+
+func TestResolver_ConcurrentStaleHitsCollapseRefresh(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+	chain.setAnswer("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeA, "10.0.0.2")
+
+	var inflight atomic.Int32
+	var maxInflight atomic.Int32
+	chain.onLookup = func() {
+		cur := inflight.Add(1)
+		defer inflight.Add(-1)
+		for {
+			prev := maxInflight.Load()
+			if cur <= prev || maxInflight.CompareAndSwap(prev, cur) {
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond) // hold inflight long enough to collide
+	}
+
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	q := dns.Question{Name: "mgmt.example.com.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}
+	r.records[q] = &cachedRecord{
+		records: []dns.RR{&dns.A{
+			Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: q.Name, Rrtype: dns.TypeA, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: 60},
+			A:   net.ParseIP("10.0.0.1").To4(),
+		}},
+		cachedAt: time.Now().Add(-2 * defaultTTL),
+	}
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	for i := 0; i < 50; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			queryA(t, r, "mgmt.example.com.")
+		}()
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+
+	waitFor(t, 2*time.Second, func() bool {
+		return inflight.Load() == 0
+	})
+
+	calls := chain.callCount("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeA)
+	assert.LessOrEqual(t, calls, 2, "singleflight must collapse concurrent refreshes (got %d)", calls)
+	assert.Equal(t, int32(1), maxInflight.Load(), "only one refresh should run concurrently")
+}
+
+func TestResolver_RefreshFailureArmsBackoff(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+	chain.err = errors.New("boom")
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	q := dns.Question{Name: "mgmt.example.com.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}
+	r.records[q] = &cachedRecord{
+		records: []dns.RR{&dns.A{
+			Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: q.Name, Rrtype: dns.TypeA, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: 60},
+			A:   net.ParseIP("10.0.0.1").To4(),
+		}},
+		cachedAt: time.Now().Add(-2 * defaultTTL),
+	}
+
+	// First stale hit triggers a refresh attempt that fails.
+	resp := queryA(t, r, "mgmt.example.com.")
+	assert.Equal(t, "10.0.0.1", firstA(t, resp), "stale entry served while refresh fails")
+
+	waitFor(t, time.Second, func() bool {
+		return chain.callCount("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeA) == 1
+	})
+	waitFor(t, time.Second, func() bool {
+		r.mutex.RLock()
+		defer r.mutex.RUnlock()
+		c, ok := r.records[q]
+		return ok && !c.lastFailedRefresh.IsZero()
+	})
+
+	// Subsequent stale hits within backoff window should not schedule more refreshes.
+	for i := 0; i < 10; i++ {
+		queryA(t, r, "mgmt.example.com.")
+	}
+	time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, chain.callCount("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeA), "backoff must suppress further refreshes")
+}
+
+func TestResolver_NoRootHandler_SkipsChain(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+	chain.hasRoot = false
+	chain.setAnswer("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeA, "10.0.0.2")
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	// With hasRoot=false the chain must not be consulted. Use a short
+	// deadline so the OS fallback returns quickly without waiting on a
+	// real network call in CI.
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 50*time.Millisecond)
+	defer cancel()
+	_, _, _, _ = r.lookupBoth(ctx, domain.Domain("mgmt.example.com"), "mgmt.example.com.")
+
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, chain.callCount("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeA),
+		"chain must not be used when no root handler is registered at the bound priority")
+}
+
+func TestResolver_ServeDuringRefreshSetsLoopFlag(t *testing.T) {
+	// ServeDNS being invoked for a question while a refresh for that question
+	// is inflight indicates a resolver loop (OS resolver sent the recursive
+	// query back to us). The inflightRefresh.loopLoggedOnce flag must be set.
+	r := NewResolver()
+
+	q := dns.Question{Name: "mgmt.example.com.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}
+	r.records[q] = &cachedRecord{
+		records: []dns.RR{&dns.A{
+			Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: q.Name, Rrtype: dns.TypeA, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: 60},
+			A:   net.ParseIP("10.0.0.1").To4(),
+		}},
+		cachedAt: time.Now(),
+	}
+
+	// Simulate an inflight refresh.
+	r.markRefreshing(q)
+	defer r.clearRefreshing(q)
+
+	resp := queryA(t, r, "mgmt.example.com.")
+	assert.Equal(t, "10.0.0.1", firstA(t, resp), "stale entry must still be served to avoid breaking external queries")
+
+	r.mutex.RLock()
+	inflight := r.refreshing[q]
+	r.mutex.RUnlock()
+	require.NotNil(t, inflight)
+	assert.True(t, inflight.Load(), "loop flag must be set once a ServeDNS during refresh was observed")
+}
+
+func TestResolver_LoopFlagOnlyTrippedOncePerRefresh(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+
+	q := dns.Question{Name: "mgmt.example.com.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}
+	r.records[q] = &cachedRecord{
+		records: []dns.RR{&dns.A{
+			Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: q.Name, Rrtype: dns.TypeA, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: 60},
+			A:   net.ParseIP("10.0.0.1").To4(),
+		}},
+		cachedAt: time.Now(),
+	}
+
+	r.markRefreshing(q)
+	defer r.clearRefreshing(q)
+
+	// Multiple ServeDNS calls during the same refresh must not re-set the flag
+	// (CompareAndSwap from false -> true returns true only on the first call).
+	for range 5 {
+		queryA(t, r, "mgmt.example.com.")
+	}
+
+	r.mutex.RLock()
+	inflight := r.refreshing[q]
+	r.mutex.RUnlock()
+	assert.True(t, inflight.Load())
+}
+
+func TestResolver_NoLoopFlagWhenNotRefreshing(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+
+	q := dns.Question{Name: "mgmt.example.com.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}
+	r.records[q] = &cachedRecord{
+		records: []dns.RR{&dns.A{
+			Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: q.Name, Rrtype: dns.TypeA, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: 60},
+			A:   net.ParseIP("10.0.0.1").To4(),
+		}},
+		cachedAt: time.Now(),
+	}
+
+	queryA(t, r, "mgmt.example.com.")
+
+	r.mutex.RLock()
+	_, ok := r.refreshing[q]
+	r.mutex.RUnlock()
+	assert.False(t, ok, "no refresh inflight means no loop tracking")
+}
+
+func TestResolver_AddDomain_UsesChainWhenRootRegistered(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewResolver()
+	chain := newFakeChain()
+	chain.setAnswer("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeA, "10.0.0.2")
+	chain.setAnswer("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeAAAA, "fd00::2")
+	r.SetChainResolver(chain, 50)
+
+	require.NoError(t, r.AddDomain(context.Background(), domain.Domain("mgmt.example.com")))
+
+	resp := queryA(t, r, "mgmt.example.com.")
+	assert.Equal(t, "10.0.0.2", firstA(t, resp))
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, chain.callCount("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeA))
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, chain.callCount("mgmt.example.com.", dns.TypeAAAA))
+}

client/internal/dns/mgmt/mgmt_test.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"net/url"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -23,6 +24,60 @@ func TestResolver_NewResolver(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.False(t, resolver.MatchSubdomains())
 }
 
+func TestResolveCacheTTL(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name  string
+		value string
+		want  time.Duration
+	}{
+		{"unset falls back to default", "", defaultTTL},
+		{"valid duration", "45s", 45 * time.Second},
+		{"valid minutes", "2m", 2 * time.Minute},
+		{"malformed falls back to default", "not-a-duration", defaultTTL},
+		{"zero falls back to default", "0s", defaultTTL},
+		{"negative falls back to default", "-5s", defaultTTL},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Setenv(envMgmtCacheTTL, tc.value)
+			got := resolveCacheTTL()
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.want, got, "parsed TTL should match")
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewResolver_CacheTTLFromEnv(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Setenv(envMgmtCacheTTL, "7s")
+	r := NewResolver()
+	assert.Equal(t, 7*time.Second, r.cacheTTL, "NewResolver should evaluate cacheTTL once from env")
+}
+
+func TestResolver_ResponseTTL(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		cacheTTL time.Duration
+		cachedAt time.Time
+		wantMin  uint32
+		wantMax  uint32
+	}{
+		{"fresh entry returns full TTL", 60 * time.Second, now, 59, 60},
+		{"half-aged entry returns half TTL", 60 * time.Second, now.Add(-30 * time.Second), 29, 31},
+		{"expired entry returns zero", 60 * time.Second, now.Add(-61 * time.Second), 0, 0},
+		{"exactly expired returns zero", 10 * time.Second, now.Add(-10 * time.Second), 0, 0},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			r := &Resolver{cacheTTL: tc.cacheTTL}
+			got := r.responseTTL(tc.cachedAt)
+			assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, got, tc.wantMin, "remaining TTL should be >= wantMin")
+			assert.LessOrEqual(t, got, tc.wantMax, "remaining TTL should be <= wantMax")
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestResolver_ExtractDomainFromURL(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name        string

client/internal/dns/server.go

@@ -31,6 +31,28 @@ import (
 
 const envSkipDNSProbe = "NB_SKIP_DNS_PROBE"
 
+// subdomainMatchHandler is a thin wrapper used to register a handler under
+// a pool-root domain (e.g. a relay URL advertised by the mgmt) with
+// subdomain matching enabled. The underlying handler's own MatchSubdomains
+// is left untouched so that exact-match registrations keep their
+// semantics.
+type subdomainMatchHandler struct {
+	dns.Handler
+}
+
+// MatchSubdomains lets the handler chain route any instance subdomain
+// (e.g. streamline-de-fra1-0.relay.netbird.io) to the wrapped handler.
+func (subdomainMatchHandler) MatchSubdomains() bool { return true }
+
+// String returns a debug-friendly name; the chain uses fmt.Stringer for
+// its "registering handler X" logs.
+func (h subdomainMatchHandler) String() string {
+	if s, ok := h.Handler.(fmt.Stringer); ok {
+		return s.String() + "[subdomains]"
+	}
+	return "subdomainMatchHandler"
+}
+
 // ReadyListener is a notification mechanism what indicate the server is ready to handle host dns address changes
 type ReadyListener interface {
 	OnReady()
@@ -95,6 +117,11 @@ type DefaultServer struct {
 	batchMode          bool
 
 	mgmtCacheResolver *mgmt.Resolver
+	// mgmtPoolRoots tracks pool-root domains currently contributed to
+	// extraDomains by the mgmt cache, so the next UpdateServerConfig can
+	// decrement the old set before incrementing the new one without
+	// disturbing unrelated registerHandler callers.
+	mgmtPoolRoots map[domain.Domain]struct{}
 
 	// permanent related properties
 	permanent      bool
@@ -212,6 +239,7 @@ func newDefaultServer(
 	ctx, stop := context.WithCancel(ctx)
 
 	mgmtCacheResolver := mgmt.NewResolver()
+	mgmtCacheResolver.SetChainResolver(handlerChain, PriorityUpstream)
 
 	defaultServer := &DefaultServer{
 		ctx:               ctx,
@@ -228,6 +256,7 @@ func newDefaultServer(
 		hostsDNSHolder:    newHostsDNSHolder(),
 		hostManager:       &noopHostConfigurator{},
 		mgmtCacheResolver: mgmtCacheResolver,
+		mgmtPoolRoots:     make(map[domain.Domain]struct{}),
 		currentConfigHash: ^uint64(0), // Initialize to max uint64 to ensure first config is always applied
 	}
 
@@ -586,25 +615,92 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) UpdateServerConfig(domains dnsconfig.ServerDomains) erro
 	s.mux.Lock()
 	defer s.mux.Unlock()
 
-	if s.mgmtCacheResolver != nil {
-		removedDomains, err := s.mgmtCacheResolver.UpdateFromServerDomains(s.ctx, domains)
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("update management cache resolver: %w", err)
-		}
-
-		if len(removedDomains) > 0 {
-			s.deregisterHandler(removedDomains.ToPunycodeList(), PriorityMgmtCache)
-		}
-
-		newDomains := s.mgmtCacheResolver.GetCachedDomains()
-		if len(newDomains) > 0 {
-			s.registerHandler(newDomains.ToPunycodeList(), s.mgmtCacheResolver, PriorityMgmtCache)
-		}
+	if s.mgmtCacheResolver == nil {
+		return nil
 	}
 
+	removedDomains, err := s.mgmtCacheResolver.UpdateFromServerDomains(s.ctx, domains)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("update management cache resolver: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(removedDomains) > 0 {
+		s.deregisterHandler(removedDomains.ToPunycodeList(), PriorityMgmtCache)
+	}
+
+	poolRoots := s.mgmtCacheResolver.GetPoolRootDomains()
+	s.registerMgmtCacheHandlers(poolRoots)
+	s.reconcileMgmtPoolRoots(poolRoots)
+
+	if !s.batchMode {
+		s.applyHostConfig()
+	}
 	return nil
 }
 
+// registerMgmtCacheHandlers wires the mgmt cache resolver into the handler
+// chain for the current set of cached domains. Pool-root domains (advertised
+// by the mgmt as Relay URLs) go through a thin subdomain-matching wrapper so
+// a query like "streamline-de-fra1-0.relay.netbird.io" routes to the mgmt
+// cache resolver, which resolves it on demand through the bypass resolver
+// instead of falling through to the overlay-routed upstream handler.
+//
+// Canonicalize with toZone on both sides of the pool-root membership check so
+// the comparison is independent of each source's canonical form:
+// GetPoolRootDomains returns what the extractor stored; GetCachedDomains
+// strips the trailing dot from question names.
+func (s *DefaultServer) registerMgmtCacheHandlers(poolRoots domain.List) {
+	poolRootSet := make(map[domain.Domain]struct{}, len(poolRoots))
+	for _, d := range poolRoots {
+		poolRootSet[toZone(d)] = struct{}{}
+	}
+
+	if len(poolRoots) > 0 {
+		s.registerHandler(poolRoots.ToPunycodeList(), subdomainMatchHandler{Handler: s.mgmtCacheResolver}, PriorityMgmtCache)
+	}
+
+	var exactDomains domain.List
+	for _, d := range s.mgmtCacheResolver.GetCachedDomains() {
+		if _, isPool := poolRootSet[toZone(d)]; isPool {
+			continue
+		}
+		exactDomains = append(exactDomains, d)
+	}
+	if len(exactDomains) > 0 {
+		s.registerHandler(exactDomains.ToPunycodeList(), s.mgmtCacheResolver, PriorityMgmtCache)
+	}
+}
+
+// reconcileMgmtPoolRoots keeps extraDomains in sync with the current mgmt
+// pool-root set. These entries show up as *match* domains for the host DNS
+// manager (systemd-resolved, NetworkManager, etc.) so instance subdomain
+// queries like streamline-* are delegated to the wt0 link where the daemon's
+// DNS listener sits. Without this, systemd-resolved answers them from the
+// host's global upstream, skipping our handler chain entirely.
+//
+// Uses s.mgmtPoolRoots as a dedicated tracking map so increments/decrements
+// here don't collide with RegisterHandler's refcounting.
+func (s *DefaultServer) reconcileMgmtPoolRoots(poolRoots domain.List) {
+	newPoolRoots := make(map[domain.Domain]struct{}, len(poolRoots))
+	for _, d := range poolRoots {
+		zone := toZone(d)
+		newPoolRoots[zone] = struct{}{}
+		if _, already := s.mgmtPoolRoots[zone]; !already {
+			s.extraDomains[zone]++
+		}
+	}
+	for zone := range s.mgmtPoolRoots {
+		if _, keep := newPoolRoots[zone]; keep {
+			continue
+		}
+		s.extraDomains[zone]--
+		if s.extraDomains[zone] <= 0 {
+			delete(s.extraDomains, zone)
+		}
+	}
+	s.mgmtPoolRoots = newPoolRoots
+}
+
 func (s *DefaultServer) applyConfiguration(update nbdns.Config) error {
 	// is the service should be Disabled, we stop the listener or fake resolver
 	if update.ServiceEnable {
@@ -758,6 +854,9 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) registerFallback(config HostDNSConfig) {
 	originalNameservers := hostMgrWithNS.getOriginalNameservers()
 	if len(originalNameservers) == 0 {
 		s.deregisterHandler([]string{nbdns.RootZone}, PriorityFallback)
+		if s.mgmtCacheResolver != nil {
+			s.mgmtCacheResolver.SetBypassResolver(nil)
+		}
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -776,6 +875,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) registerFallback(config HostDNSConfig) {
 	}
 	handler.routeMatch = s.routeMatch
 
+	var bypassNameservers []netip.Addr
 	for _, ns := range originalNameservers {
 		if ns == config.ServerIP {
 			log.Debugf("skipping original nameserver %s as it is the same as the server IP %s", ns, config.ServerIP)
@@ -784,11 +884,22 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) registerFallback(config HostDNSConfig) {
 
 		addrPort := netip.AddrPortFrom(ns, DefaultPort)
 		handler.upstreamServers = append(handler.upstreamServers, addrPort)
+		bypassNameservers = append(bypassNameservers, ns)
 	}
 	handler.deactivate = func(error) { /* always active */ }
 	handler.reactivate = func() { /* always active */ }
 
 	s.registerHandler([]string{nbdns.RootZone}, handler, PriorityFallback)
+
+	// Wire a bypass resolver into the mgmt cache so its refresh path dials
+	// the original nameservers directly over a fwmarked socket, avoiding
+	// the ENOKEY deadlock that occurs when an exit-node default route is
+	// installed on the overlay before its peer has handshaked. Scoped to
+	// the mgmt cache only: ordinary user DNS still flows through the
+	// normal upstream path.
+	if s.mgmtCacheResolver != nil {
+		s.mgmtCacheResolver.SetBypassResolver(mgmt.NewBypassResolver(bypassNameservers))
+	}
 }
 
 func (s *DefaultServer) buildLocalHandlerUpdate(customZones []nbdns.CustomZone) ([]handlerWrapper, []nbdns.CustomZone, error) {

client/internal/engine.go

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import (
 
 	nberrors "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/errors"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/firewalld"
 	firewallManager "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
@@ -570,7 +571,7 @@ 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()
@@ -604,6 +605,8 @@ func (e *Engine) createFirewall() error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
+	firewalld.SetParentContext(e.ctx)
+
 	var err error
 	e.firewall, err = firewall.NewFirewall(e.wgInterface, e.stateManager, e.flowManager.GetLogger(), e.config.DisableServerRoutes, e.config.MTU)
 	if err != nil {

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()
-	workerICE, err := NewWorkerICE(conn.ctx, conn.Log, conn.config, conn, conn.signaler, conn.iFaceDiscover, conn.statusRecorder, relayIsSupportedLocally)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
+	forceRelay := IsForceRelayed()
+	if !forceRelay {
+		relayIsSupportedLocally := conn.workerRelay.RelayIsSupportedLocally()
+		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) {
-	// would be better to protect this with a mutex, but it could cause deadlock with Close function
-
+// isConnectedOnAllWay evaluates the overall connection status based on ICE and Relay transports.
+//
+// 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
-	if runtime.GOOS == "js" {
-		return conn.statusRelay.Get() == worker.StatusConnected
+	iceWorkerCreated := conn.workerICE != nil
+
+	var iceInProgress bool
+	if iceWorkerCreated {
+		iceInProgress = conn.workerICE.InProgress()
 	}
 
-	// For non-JS platforms: check ICE connection status
-	if conn.statusICE.Get() == worker.StatusDisconnected && !conn.workerICE.InProgress() {
-		return false
-	}
-
-	// If relay is supported with peer, it must also be connected
-	if conn.workerRelay.IsRelayConnectionSupportedWithPeer() {
-		if conn.statusRelay.Get() == worker.StatusDisconnected {
-			return false
-		}
-	}
-
-	return true
+	return evalConnStatus(connStatusInputs{
+		forceRelay:          IsForceRelayed(),
+		peerUsesRelay:       conn.workerRelay.IsRelayConnectionSupportedWithPeer(),
+		relayConnected:      conn.statusRelay.Get() == worker.StatusConnected,
+		remoteSupportsICE:   conn.handshaker.RemoteICESupported(),
+		iceWorkerCreated:    iceWorkerCreated,
+		iceStatusConnecting: conn.statusICE.Get() != worker.StatusDisconnected,
+		iceInProgress:       iceInProgress,
+	})
 }
 
 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.
-// Try to send offer while the P2P is not established or while the Relay is not connected if is it supported
+// reconnectLoopWithRetry periodically checks the connection status and sends offers to re-establish connectivity.
+//
+// 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:
-			if t.IsZero() {
-				g.log.Infof("retry timed out, stop periodic offer sending")
-				// after backoff timeout the ticker.C will be closed. We need to a dummy channel to avoid loop
-				tickerChannel = make(<-chan time.Time)
-				continue
+		case <-tickerChannel:
+			switch g.isConnectedOnAllWay() {
+			case ConnStatusConnected:
+				// all good, nothing to do
+			case ConnStatusDisconnected:
+				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())
-	go iceMonitor.Start(ctx, w.onICEChanged)
+	if !disableICEMonitor {
+		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()
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("failed to get session ID bytes: %v", err)
+	var sessionIDBytes []byte
+	if offerAnswer.SessionID != nil {
+		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,

combined/config.yaml.example

@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ server:
 
   # Reverse proxy settings (optional)
   # reverseProxy:
-  #   trustedHTTPProxies: []
-  #   trustedHTTPProxiesCount: 0
-  #   trustedPeers: []
+  #   trustedHTTPProxies: []           # CIDRs of trusted reverse proxies (e.g. ["10.0.0.0/8"])
+  #   trustedHTTPProxiesCount: 0       # Number of trusted proxies in front of the server (alternative to trustedHTTPProxies)
+  #   trustedPeers: []                 # CIDRs of trusted peer networks (e.g. ["100.64.0.0/10"])
+  #   accessLogRetentionDays: 7        # Days to retain HTTP access logs. 0 (or unset) defaults to 7. Negative values disable cleanup (logs kept indefinitely).
+  #   accessLogCleanupIntervalHours: 24 # How often (in hours) to run the access-log cleanup job. 0 (or unset) is treated as "not set" and defaults to 24 hours; cleanup remains enabled. To disable cleanup, set accessLogRetentionDays to a negative value.

flow/client/client_test.go

@@ -457,6 +457,18 @@ func TestReceive_ProtocolErrorStreamReconnect(t *testing.T) {
 
 	client, err := flow.NewClient("http://"+server.addr, "test-payload", "test-signature", 1*time.Second)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Cleanups run LIFO: the goroutine-drain registered here runs after Close below,
+	// which is when Receive has actually returned. Without this, the Receive goroutine
+	// can outlive the test and call t.Logf after teardown, panicking.
+	receiveDone := make(chan struct{})
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		select {
+		case <-receiveDone:
+		case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+			t.Error("Receive goroutine did not exit after Close")
+		}
+	})
 	t.Cleanup(func() {
 		err := client.Close()
 		assert.NoError(t, err, "failed to close flow")
@@ -468,6 +480,7 @@ func TestReceive_ProtocolErrorStreamReconnect(t *testing.T) {
 	receivedAfterReconnect := make(chan struct{})
 
 	go func() {
+		defer close(receiveDone)
 		err := client.Receive(ctx, 1*time.Second, func(msg *proto.FlowEventAck) error {
 			if msg.IsInitiator || len(msg.EventId) == 0 {
 				return nil

go.mod

@@ -323,3 +323,5 @@ replace github.com/pion/ice/v4 => github.com/netbirdio/ice/v4 v4.0.0-20250908184
 replace github.com/libp2p/go-netroute => github.com/netbirdio/go-netroute v0.0.0-20240611143515-f59b0e1d3944
 
 replace github.com/dexidp/dex => github.com/netbirdio/dex v0.244.0
+
+replace github.com/mailru/easyjson => github.com/netbirdio/easyjson v0.9.0

go.sum

@@ -400,8 +400,6 @@ github.com/lufia/plan9stats v0.0.0-20240513124658-fba389f38bae h1:dIZY4ULFcto4tA
 github.com/lufia/plan9stats v0.0.0-20240513124658-fba389f38bae/go.mod h1:ilwx/Dta8jXAgpFYFvSWEMwxmbWXyiUHkd5FwyKhb5k=
 github.com/magiconair/properties v1.8.10 h1:s31yESBquKXCV9a/ScB3ESkOjUYYv+X0rg8SYxI99mE=
 github.com/magiconair/properties v1.8.10/go.mod h1:Dhd985XPs7jluiymwWYZ0G4Z61jb3vdS329zhj2hYo0=
-github.com/mailru/easyjson v0.9.0 h1:PrnmzHw7262yW8sTBwxi1PdJA3Iw/EKBa8psRf7d9a4=
-github.com/mailru/easyjson v0.9.0/go.mod h1:1+xMtQp2MRNVL/V1bOzuP3aP8VNwRW55fQUto+XFtTU=
 github.com/mattermost/xml-roundtrip-validator v0.1.0 h1:RXbVD2UAl7A7nOTR4u7E3ILa4IbtvKBHw64LDsmu9hU=
 github.com/mattermost/xml-roundtrip-validator v0.1.0/go.mod h1:qccnGMcpgwcNaBnxqpJpWWUiPNr5H3O8eDgGV9gT5To=
 github.com/mattn/go-isatty v0.0.9/go.mod h1:YNRxwqDuOph6SZLI9vUUz6OYw3QyUt7WiY2yME+cCiQ=
@@ -449,6 +447,8 @@ github.com/munnerz/goautoneg v0.0.0-20191010083416-a7dc8b61c822 h1:C3w9PqII01/Oq
 github.com/munnerz/goautoneg v0.0.0-20191010083416-a7dc8b61c822/go.mod h1:+n7T8mK8HuQTcFwEeznm/DIxMOiR9yIdICNftLE1DvQ=
 github.com/netbirdio/dex v0.244.0 h1:1GOvi8wnXYassnKGildzNqRHq0RbcfEUw7LKYpKIN7U=
 github.com/netbirdio/dex v0.244.0/go.mod h1:STGInJhPcAflrHmDO7vyit2kSq03PdL+8zQPoGALtcU=
+github.com/netbirdio/easyjson v0.9.0 h1:6Nw2lghSVuy8RSkAYDhDv1thBVEmfVbKZnV7T7Z6Aus=
+github.com/netbirdio/easyjson v0.9.0/go.mod h1:1+xMtQp2MRNVL/V1bOzuP3aP8VNwRW55fQUto+XFtTU=
 github.com/netbirdio/go-netroute v0.0.0-20240611143515-f59b0e1d3944 h1:TDtJKmM6Sf8uYFx/dMeqNOL90KUoRscdfpFZ3Im89uk=
 github.com/netbirdio/go-netroute v0.0.0-20240611143515-f59b0e1d3944/go.mod h1:sHA6TRxjQ6RLbnI+3R4DZo2Eseg/iKiPRfNmcuNySVQ=
 github.com/netbirdio/ice/v4 v4.0.0-20250908184934-6202be846b51 h1:Ov4qdafATOgGMB1wbSuh+0aAHcwz9hdvB6VZjh1mVMI=

infrastructure_files/getting-started.sh

@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ start_services_and_show_instructions() {
       if [[ "$ENABLE_CROWDSEC" == "true" ]]; then
         echo "Registering CrowdSec bouncer..."
         local cs_retries=0
-        while ! $DOCKER_COMPOSE_COMMAND exec -T crowdsec cscli capi status >/dev/null 2>&1; do
+        while ! $DOCKER_COMPOSE_COMMAND exec -T crowdsec cscli lapi status >/dev/null 2>&1; do
           cs_retries=$((cs_retries + 1))
           if [[ $cs_retries -ge 30 ]]; then
             echo "WARNING: CrowdSec did not become ready. Skipping CrowdSec setup." > /dev/stderr

management/internals/server/boot.go

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import (
 	nbcache "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/cache"
 	nbContext "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/context"
 	nbhttp "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/http"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/http/middleware"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/store"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/telemetry"
 	mgmtProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ func (s *BaseServer) EventStore() activity.Store {
 
 func (s *BaseServer) APIHandler() http.Handler {
 	return Create(s, func() http.Handler {
-		httpAPIHandler, err := nbhttp.NewAPIHandler(context.Background(), s.AccountManager(), s.NetworksManager(), s.ResourcesManager(), s.RoutesManager(), s.GroupsManager(), s.GeoLocationManager(), s.AuthManager(), s.Metrics(), s.IntegratedValidator(), s.ProxyController(), s.PermissionsManager(), s.PeersManager(), s.SettingsManager(), s.ZonesManager(), s.RecordsManager(), s.NetworkMapController(), s.IdpManager(), s.ServiceManager(), s.ReverseProxyDomainManager(), s.AccessLogsManager(), s.ReverseProxyGRPCServer(), s.Config.ReverseProxy.TrustedHTTPProxies)
+		httpAPIHandler, err := nbhttp.NewAPIHandler(context.Background(), s.AccountManager(), s.NetworksManager(), s.ResourcesManager(), s.RoutesManager(), s.GroupsManager(), s.GeoLocationManager(), s.AuthManager(), s.Metrics(), s.IntegratedValidator(), s.ProxyController(), s.PermissionsManager(), s.PeersManager(), s.SettingsManager(), s.ZonesManager(), s.RecordsManager(), s.NetworkMapController(), s.IdpManager(), s.ServiceManager(), s.ReverseProxyDomainManager(), s.AccessLogsManager(), s.ReverseProxyGRPCServer(), s.Config.ReverseProxy.TrustedHTTPProxies, s.RateLimiter())
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatalf("failed to create API handler: %v", err)
 		}
@@ -117,6 +118,15 @@ func (s *BaseServer) APIHandler() http.Handler {
 	})
 }
 
+func (s *BaseServer) RateLimiter() *middleware.APIRateLimiter {
+	return Create(s, func() *middleware.APIRateLimiter {
+		cfg, enabled := middleware.RateLimiterConfigFromEnv()
+		limiter := middleware.NewAPIRateLimiter(cfg)
+		limiter.SetEnabled(enabled)
+		return limiter
+	})
+}
+
 func (s *BaseServer) GRPCServer() *grpc.Server {
 	return Create(s, func() *grpc.Server {
 		trustedPeers := s.Config.ReverseProxy.TrustedPeers

management/server/account_test.go

@@ -2311,6 +2311,29 @@ func TestAccount_GetExpiredPeers(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestGetExpiredPeers_SkipsAlreadyExpired(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	testStore, cleanUp, err := store.NewTestStoreFromSQL(ctx, "testdata/store_with_expired_peers.sql", t.TempDir())
+	t.Cleanup(cleanUp)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	accountID := "bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b"
+
+	// Verify the already-expired peer is excluded at the store level
+	peers, err := testStore.GetAccountPeersWithExpiration(ctx, store.LockingStrengthNone, accountID)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	for _, peer := range peers {
+		assert.NotEqual(t, "cg05lnblo1hkg2j514p0", peer.ID, "already expired peer should be excluded by the store query")
+		assert.False(t, peer.Status.LoginExpired, "returned peers should not already be marked as login expired")
+	}
+
+	// Only the non-expired peer with expiration enabled should be returned
+	require.Len(t, peers, 1)
+	assert.Equal(t, "notexpired01", peers[0].ID)
+}
+
 func TestAccount_GetInactivePeers(t *testing.T) {
 	type test struct {
 		name          string
@@ -3230,6 +3253,13 @@ 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 +3278,7 @@ 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/http/handler.go

@@ -5,9 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/netip"
-	"os"
-	"strconv"
-	"time"
 
 	"github.com/gorilla/mux"
 	"github.com/rs/cors"
@@ -66,14 +63,11 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	apiPrefix              = "/api"
-	rateLimitingEnabledKey = "NB_API_RATE_LIMITING_ENABLED"
-	rateLimitingBurstKey   = "NB_API_RATE_LIMITING_BURST"
-	rateLimitingRPMKey     = "NB_API_RATE_LIMITING_RPM"
+	apiPrefix = "/api"
 )
 
 // NewAPIHandler creates the Management service HTTP API handler registering all the available endpoints.
-func NewAPIHandler(ctx context.Context, accountManager account.Manager, networksManager nbnetworks.Manager, resourceManager resources.Manager, routerManager routers.Manager, groupsManager nbgroups.Manager, LocationManager geolocation.Geolocation, authManager auth.Manager, appMetrics telemetry.AppMetrics, integratedValidator integrated_validator.IntegratedValidator, proxyController port_forwarding.Controller, permissionsManager permissions.Manager, peersManager nbpeers.Manager, settingsManager settings.Manager, zManager zones.Manager, rManager records.Manager, networkMapController network_map.Controller, idpManager idpmanager.Manager, serviceManager service.Manager, reverseProxyDomainManager *manager.Manager, reverseProxyAccessLogsManager accesslogs.Manager, proxyGRPCServer *nbgrpc.ProxyServiceServer, trustedHTTPProxies []netip.Prefix) (http.Handler, error) {
+func NewAPIHandler(ctx context.Context, accountManager account.Manager, networksManager nbnetworks.Manager, resourceManager resources.Manager, routerManager routers.Manager, groupsManager nbgroups.Manager, LocationManager geolocation.Geolocation, authManager auth.Manager, appMetrics telemetry.AppMetrics, integratedValidator integrated_validator.IntegratedValidator, proxyController port_forwarding.Controller, permissionsManager permissions.Manager, peersManager nbpeers.Manager, settingsManager settings.Manager, zManager zones.Manager, rManager records.Manager, networkMapController network_map.Controller, idpManager idpmanager.Manager, serviceManager service.Manager, reverseProxyDomainManager *manager.Manager, reverseProxyAccessLogsManager accesslogs.Manager, proxyGRPCServer *nbgrpc.ProxyServiceServer, trustedHTTPProxies []netip.Prefix, rateLimiter *middleware.APIRateLimiter) (http.Handler, error) {
 
 	// Register bypass paths for unauthenticated endpoints
 	if err := bypass.AddBypassPath("/api/instance"); err != nil {
@@ -94,34 +88,10 @@ func NewAPIHandler(ctx context.Context, accountManager account.Manager, networks
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to add bypass path: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	var rateLimitingConfig *middleware.RateLimiterConfig
-	if os.Getenv(rateLimitingEnabledKey) == "true" {
-		rpm := 6
-		if v := os.Getenv(rateLimitingRPMKey); v != "" {
-			value, err := strconv.Atoi(v)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Warnf("parsing %s env var: %v, using default %d", rateLimitingRPMKey, err, rpm)
-			} else {
-				rpm = value
-			}
-		}
-
-		burst := 500
-		if v := os.Getenv(rateLimitingBurstKey); v != "" {
-			value, err := strconv.Atoi(v)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Warnf("parsing %s env var: %v, using default %d", rateLimitingBurstKey, err, burst)
-			} else {
-				burst = value
-			}
-		}
-
-		rateLimitingConfig = &middleware.RateLimiterConfig{
-			RequestsPerMinute: float64(rpm),
-			Burst:             burst,
-			CleanupInterval:   6 * time.Hour,
-			LimiterTTL:        24 * time.Hour,
-		}
+	if rateLimiter == nil {
+		log.Warn("NewAPIHandler: nil rate limiter, rate limiting disabled")
+		rateLimiter = middleware.NewAPIRateLimiter(nil)
+		rateLimiter.SetEnabled(false)
 	}
 
 	authMiddleware := middleware.NewAuthMiddleware(
@@ -129,7 +99,7 @@ func NewAPIHandler(ctx context.Context, accountManager account.Manager, networks
 		accountManager.GetAccountIDFromUserAuth,
 		accountManager.SyncUserJWTGroups,
 		accountManager.GetUserFromUserAuth,
-		rateLimitingConfig,
+		rateLimiter,
 		appMetrics.GetMeter(),
 	)
 

management/server/http/middleware/auth_middleware.go

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/metric"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/management-integrations/integrations"
+
 	serverauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/auth"
 	nbcontext "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/context"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/http/middleware/bypass"
@@ -42,14 +43,9 @@ func NewAuthMiddleware(
 	ensureAccount EnsureAccountFunc,
 	syncUserJWTGroups SyncUserJWTGroupsFunc,
 	getUserFromUserAuth GetUserFromUserAuthFunc,
-	rateLimiterConfig *RateLimiterConfig,
+	rateLimiter *APIRateLimiter,
 	meter metric.Meter,
 ) *AuthMiddleware {
-	var rateLimiter *APIRateLimiter
-	if rateLimiterConfig != nil {
-		rateLimiter = NewAPIRateLimiter(rateLimiterConfig)
-	}
-
 	var patUsageTracker *PATUsageTracker
 	if meter != nil {
 		var err error
@@ -87,17 +83,14 @@ func (m *AuthMiddleware) Handler(h http.Handler) http.Handler {
 
 		switch authType {
 		case "bearer":
-			request, err := m.checkJWTFromRequest(r, authHeader)
-			if err != nil {
+			if err := m.checkJWTFromRequest(r, authHeader); err != nil {
 				log.WithContext(r.Context()).Errorf("Error when validating JWT: %s", err.Error())
 				util.WriteError(r.Context(), status.Errorf(status.Unauthorized, "token invalid"), w)
 				return
 			}
-
-			h.ServeHTTP(w, request)
+			h.ServeHTTP(w, r)
 		case "token":
-			request, err := m.checkPATFromRequest(r, authHeader)
-			if err != nil {
+			if err := m.checkPATFromRequest(r, authHeader); err != nil {
 				log.WithContext(r.Context()).Debugf("Error when validating PAT: %s", err.Error())
 				// Check if it's a status error, otherwise default to Unauthorized
 				if _, ok := status.FromError(err); !ok {
@@ -106,7 +99,7 @@ func (m *AuthMiddleware) Handler(h http.Handler) http.Handler {
 				util.WriteError(r.Context(), err, w)
 				return
 			}
-			h.ServeHTTP(w, request)
+			h.ServeHTTP(w, r)
 		default:
 			util.WriteError(r.Context(), status.Errorf(status.Unauthorized, "no valid authentication provided"), w)
 			return
@@ -115,19 +108,19 @@ func (m *AuthMiddleware) Handler(h http.Handler) http.Handler {
 }
 
 // CheckJWTFromRequest checks if the JWT is valid
-func (m *AuthMiddleware) checkJWTFromRequest(r *http.Request, authHeaderParts []string) (*http.Request, error) {
+func (m *AuthMiddleware) checkJWTFromRequest(r *http.Request, authHeaderParts []string) error {
 	token, err := getTokenFromJWTRequest(authHeaderParts)
 
 	// If an error occurs, call the error handler and return an error
 	if err != nil {
-		return r, fmt.Errorf("error extracting token: %w", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("error extracting token: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	ctx := r.Context()
 
 	userAuth, validatedToken, err := m.authManager.ValidateAndParseToken(ctx, token)
 	if err != nil {
-		return r, err
+		return err
 	}
 
 	if impersonate, ok := r.URL.Query()["account"]; ok && len(impersonate) == 1 {
@@ -143,7 +136,7 @@ func (m *AuthMiddleware) checkJWTFromRequest(r *http.Request, authHeaderParts []
 	// we need to call this method because if user is new, we will automatically add it to existing or create a new account
 	accountId, _, err := m.ensureAccount(ctx, userAuth)
 	if err != nil {
-		return r, err
+		return err
 	}
 
 	if userAuth.AccountId != accountId {
@@ -153,7 +146,7 @@ func (m *AuthMiddleware) checkJWTFromRequest(r *http.Request, authHeaderParts []
 
 	userAuth, err = m.authManager.EnsureUserAccessByJWTGroups(ctx, userAuth, validatedToken)
 	if err != nil {
-		return r, err
+		return err
 	}
 
 	err = m.syncUserJWTGroups(ctx, userAuth)
@@ -164,41 +157,41 @@ func (m *AuthMiddleware) checkJWTFromRequest(r *http.Request, authHeaderParts []
 	_, err = m.getUserFromUserAuth(ctx, userAuth)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.WithContext(ctx).Errorf("HTTP server failed to update user from user auth: %s", err)
-		return r, err
+		return err
 	}
 
-	return nbcontext.SetUserAuthInRequest(r, userAuth), nil
+	// propagates ctx change to upstream middleware
+	*r = *nbcontext.SetUserAuthInRequest(r, userAuth)
+	return nil
 }
 
 // CheckPATFromRequest checks if the PAT is valid
-func (m *AuthMiddleware) checkPATFromRequest(r *http.Request, authHeaderParts []string) (*http.Request, error) {
+func (m *AuthMiddleware) checkPATFromRequest(r *http.Request, authHeaderParts []string) error {
 	token, err := getTokenFromPATRequest(authHeaderParts)
 	if err != nil {
-		return r, fmt.Errorf("error extracting token: %w", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("error extracting token: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	if m.patUsageTracker != nil {
 		m.patUsageTracker.IncrementUsage(token)
 	}
 
-	if m.rateLimiter != nil && !isTerraformRequest(r) {
-		if !m.rateLimiter.Allow(token) {
-			return r, status.Errorf(status.TooManyRequests, "too many requests")
-		}
+	if !isTerraformRequest(r) && !m.rateLimiter.Allow(token) {
+		return status.Errorf(status.TooManyRequests, "too many requests")
 	}
 
 	ctx := r.Context()
 	user, pat, accDomain, accCategory, err := m.authManager.GetPATInfo(ctx, token)
 	if err != nil {
-		return r, fmt.Errorf("invalid Token: %w", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid Token: %w", err)
 	}
 	if time.Now().After(pat.GetExpirationDate()) {
-		return r, fmt.Errorf("token expired")
+		return fmt.Errorf("token expired")
 	}
 
 	err = m.authManager.MarkPATUsed(ctx, pat.ID)
 	if err != nil {
-		return r, err
+		return err
 	}
 
 	userAuth := auth.UserAuth{
@@ -216,7 +209,9 @@ func (m *AuthMiddleware) checkPATFromRequest(r *http.Request, authHeaderParts []
 		}
 	}
 
-	return nbcontext.SetUserAuthInRequest(r, userAuth), nil
+	// propagates ctx change to upstream middleware
+	*r = *nbcontext.SetUserAuthInRequest(r, userAuth)
+	return nil
 }
 
 func isTerraformRequest(r *http.Request) bool {

management/server/http/middleware/auth_middleware_test.go

@@ -196,6 +196,8 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_Handler(t *testing.T) {
 		GetPATInfoFunc:                  mockGetAccountInfoFromPAT,
 	}
 
+	disabledLimiter := NewAPIRateLimiter(nil)
+	disabledLimiter.SetEnabled(false)
 	authMiddleware := NewAuthMiddleware(
 		mockAuth,
 		func(ctx context.Context, userAuth nbauth.UserAuth) (string, string, error) {
@@ -207,7 +209,7 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_Handler(t *testing.T) {
 		func(ctx context.Context, userAuth nbauth.UserAuth) (*types.User, error) {
 			return &types.User{}, nil
 		},
-		nil,
+		disabledLimiter,
 		nil,
 	)
 
@@ -266,7 +268,7 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_RateLimiting(t *testing.T) {
 			func(ctx context.Context, userAuth nbauth.UserAuth) (*types.User, error) {
 				return &types.User{}, nil
 			},
-			rateLimitConfig,
+			NewAPIRateLimiter(rateLimitConfig),
 			nil,
 		)
 
@@ -318,7 +320,7 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_RateLimiting(t *testing.T) {
 			func(ctx context.Context, userAuth nbauth.UserAuth) (*types.User, error) {
 				return &types.User{}, nil
 			},
-			rateLimitConfig,
+			NewAPIRateLimiter(rateLimitConfig),
 			nil,
 		)
 
@@ -361,7 +363,7 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_RateLimiting(t *testing.T) {
 			func(ctx context.Context, userAuth nbauth.UserAuth) (*types.User, error) {
 				return &types.User{}, nil
 			},
-			rateLimitConfig,
+			NewAPIRateLimiter(rateLimitConfig),
 			nil,
 		)
 
@@ -405,7 +407,7 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_RateLimiting(t *testing.T) {
 			func(ctx context.Context, userAuth nbauth.UserAuth) (*types.User, error) {
 				return &types.User{}, nil
 			},
-			rateLimitConfig,
+			NewAPIRateLimiter(rateLimitConfig),
 			nil,
 		)
 
@@ -469,7 +471,7 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_RateLimiting(t *testing.T) {
 			func(ctx context.Context, userAuth nbauth.UserAuth) (*types.User, error) {
 				return &types.User{}, nil
 			},
-			rateLimitConfig,
+			NewAPIRateLimiter(rateLimitConfig),
 			nil,
 		)
 
@@ -528,7 +530,7 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_RateLimiting(t *testing.T) {
 			func(ctx context.Context, userAuth nbauth.UserAuth) (*types.User, error) {
 				return &types.User{}, nil
 			},
-			rateLimitConfig,
+			NewAPIRateLimiter(rateLimitConfig),
 			nil,
 		)
 
@@ -583,7 +585,7 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_RateLimiting(t *testing.T) {
 			func(ctx context.Context, userAuth nbauth.UserAuth) (*types.User, error) {
 				return &types.User{}, nil
 			},
-			rateLimitConfig,
+			NewAPIRateLimiter(rateLimitConfig),
 			nil,
 		)
 
@@ -670,6 +672,8 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_Handler_Child(t *testing.T) {
 		GetPATInfoFunc:                  mockGetAccountInfoFromPAT,
 	}
 
+	disabledLimiter := NewAPIRateLimiter(nil)
+	disabledLimiter.SetEnabled(false)
 	authMiddleware := NewAuthMiddleware(
 		mockAuth,
 		func(ctx context.Context, userAuth nbauth.UserAuth) (string, string, error) {
@@ -681,7 +685,7 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_Handler_Child(t *testing.T) {
 		func(ctx context.Context, userAuth nbauth.UserAuth) (*types.User, error) {
 			return &types.User{}, nil
 		},
-		nil,
+		disabledLimiter,
 		nil,
 	)
 

management/server/http/middleware/rate_limiter.go

@@ -4,14 +4,27 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"net"
 	"net/http"
+	"os"
+	"strconv"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"golang.org/x/time/rate"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/http/util"
 )
 
+const (
+	RateLimitingEnabledEnv = "NB_API_RATE_LIMITING_ENABLED"
+	RateLimitingBurstEnv   = "NB_API_RATE_LIMITING_BURST"
+	RateLimitingRPMEnv     = "NB_API_RATE_LIMITING_RPM"
+
+	defaultAPIRPM   = 6
+	defaultAPIBurst = 500
+)
+
 // RateLimiterConfig holds configuration for the API rate limiter
 type RateLimiterConfig struct {
 	// RequestsPerMinute defines the rate at which tokens are replenished
@@ -34,6 +47,43 @@ func DefaultRateLimiterConfig() *RateLimiterConfig {
 	}
 }
 
+func RateLimiterConfigFromEnv() (cfg *RateLimiterConfig, enabled bool) {
+	rpm := defaultAPIRPM
+	if v := os.Getenv(RateLimitingRPMEnv); v != "" {
+		value, err := strconv.Atoi(v)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("parsing %s env var: %v, using default %d", RateLimitingRPMEnv, err, rpm)
+		} else {
+			rpm = value
+		}
+	}
+	if rpm <= 0 {
+		log.Warnf("%s=%d is non-positive, using default %d", RateLimitingRPMEnv, rpm, defaultAPIRPM)
+		rpm = defaultAPIRPM
+	}
+
+	burst := defaultAPIBurst
+	if v := os.Getenv(RateLimitingBurstEnv); v != "" {
+		value, err := strconv.Atoi(v)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("parsing %s env var: %v, using default %d", RateLimitingBurstEnv, err, burst)
+		} else {
+			burst = value
+		}
+	}
+	if burst <= 0 {
+		log.Warnf("%s=%d is non-positive, using default %d", RateLimitingBurstEnv, burst, defaultAPIBurst)
+		burst = defaultAPIBurst
+	}
+
+	return &RateLimiterConfig{
+		RequestsPerMinute: float64(rpm),
+		Burst:             burst,
+		CleanupInterval:   6 * time.Hour,
+		LimiterTTL:        24 * time.Hour,
+	}, os.Getenv(RateLimitingEnabledEnv) == "true"
+}
+
 // limiterEntry holds a rate limiter and its last access time
 type limiterEntry struct {
 	limiter    *rate.Limiter
@@ -46,6 +96,7 @@ type APIRateLimiter struct {
 	limiters map[string]*limiterEntry
 	mu       sync.RWMutex
 	stopChan chan struct{}
+	enabled  atomic.Bool
 }
 
 // NewAPIRateLimiter creates a new API rate limiter with the given configuration
@@ -59,14 +110,53 @@ func NewAPIRateLimiter(config *RateLimiterConfig) *APIRateLimiter {
 		limiters: make(map[string]*limiterEntry),
 		stopChan: make(chan struct{}),
 	}
+	rl.enabled.Store(true)
 
 	go rl.cleanupLoop()
 
 	return rl
 }
 
+func (rl *APIRateLimiter) SetEnabled(enabled bool) {
+	rl.enabled.Store(enabled)
+}
+
+func (rl *APIRateLimiter) Enabled() bool {
+	return rl.enabled.Load()
+}
+
+func (rl *APIRateLimiter) UpdateConfig(config *RateLimiterConfig) {
+	if config == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if config.RequestsPerMinute <= 0 || config.Burst <= 0 {
+		log.Warnf("UpdateConfig: ignoring invalid rpm=%v burst=%d", config.RequestsPerMinute, config.Burst)
+		return
+	}
+
+	newRPS := rate.Limit(config.RequestsPerMinute / 60.0)
+	newBurst := config.Burst
+
+	rl.mu.Lock()
+	rl.config.RequestsPerMinute = config.RequestsPerMinute
+	rl.config.Burst = newBurst
+	snapshot := make([]*rate.Limiter, 0, len(rl.limiters))
+	for _, entry := range rl.limiters {
+		snapshot = append(snapshot, entry.limiter)
+	}
+	rl.mu.Unlock()
+
+	for _, l := range snapshot {
+		l.SetLimit(newRPS)
+		l.SetBurst(newBurst)
+	}
+}
+
 // Allow checks if a request for the given key (token) is allowed
 func (rl *APIRateLimiter) Allow(key string) bool {
+	if !rl.enabled.Load() {
+		return true
+	}
 	limiter := rl.getLimiter(key)
 	return limiter.Allow()
 }
@@ -74,6 +164,9 @@ func (rl *APIRateLimiter) Allow(key string) bool {
 // Wait blocks until the rate limiter allows another request for the given key
 // Returns an error if the context is canceled
 func (rl *APIRateLimiter) Wait(ctx context.Context, key string) error {
+	if !rl.enabled.Load() {
+		return nil
+	}
 	limiter := rl.getLimiter(key)
 	return limiter.Wait(ctx)
 }
@@ -153,6 +246,10 @@ func (rl *APIRateLimiter) Reset(key string) {
 // Returns 429 Too Many Requests if the rate limit is exceeded.
 func (rl *APIRateLimiter) Middleware(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
 	return http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		if !rl.enabled.Load() {
+			next.ServeHTTP(w, r)
+			return
+		}
 		clientIP := getClientIP(r)
 		if !rl.Allow(clientIP) {
 			util.WriteErrorResponse("rate limit exceeded, please try again later", http.StatusTooManyRequests, w)

management/server/http/middleware/rate_limiter_test.go

@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 package middleware
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/http/httptest"
+	"sync"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -156,3 +158,172 @@ func TestAPIRateLimiter_Reset(t *testing.T) {
 	// Should be allowed again
 	assert.True(t, rl.Allow("test-key"))
 }
+
+func TestAPIRateLimiter_SetEnabled(t *testing.T) {
+	rl := NewAPIRateLimiter(&RateLimiterConfig{
+		RequestsPerMinute: 60,
+		Burst:             1,
+		CleanupInterval:   time.Minute,
+		LimiterTTL:        time.Minute,
+	})
+	defer rl.Stop()
+
+	assert.True(t, rl.Allow("key"))
+	assert.False(t, rl.Allow("key"), "burst exhausted while enabled")
+
+	rl.SetEnabled(false)
+	assert.False(t, rl.Enabled())
+	for i := 0; i < 5; i++ {
+		assert.True(t, rl.Allow("key"), "disabled limiter must always allow")
+	}
+
+	rl.SetEnabled(true)
+	assert.True(t, rl.Enabled())
+	assert.False(t, rl.Allow("key"), "re-enabled limiter retains prior bucket state")
+}
+
+func TestAPIRateLimiter_UpdateConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	rl := NewAPIRateLimiter(&RateLimiterConfig{
+		RequestsPerMinute: 60,
+		Burst:             2,
+		CleanupInterval:   time.Minute,
+		LimiterTTL:        time.Minute,
+	})
+	defer rl.Stop()
+
+	assert.True(t, rl.Allow("k1"))
+	assert.True(t, rl.Allow("k1"))
+	assert.False(t, rl.Allow("k1"), "burst=2 exhausted")
+
+	rl.UpdateConfig(&RateLimiterConfig{
+		RequestsPerMinute: 60,
+		Burst:             10,
+		CleanupInterval:   time.Minute,
+		LimiterTTL:        time.Minute,
+	})
+
+	// New burst applies to existing keys in place; bucket refills up to new burst over time,
+	// but importantly newly-added keys use the updated config immediately.
+	assert.True(t, rl.Allow("k2"))
+	for i := 0; i < 9; i++ {
+		assert.True(t, rl.Allow("k2"))
+	}
+	assert.False(t, rl.Allow("k2"), "new burst=10 exhausted")
+}
+
+func TestAPIRateLimiter_UpdateConfig_NilIgnored(t *testing.T) {
+	rl := NewAPIRateLimiter(&RateLimiterConfig{
+		RequestsPerMinute: 60,
+		Burst:             1,
+		CleanupInterval:   time.Minute,
+		LimiterTTL:        time.Minute,
+	})
+	defer rl.Stop()
+
+	rl.UpdateConfig(nil) // must not panic or zero the config
+
+	assert.True(t, rl.Allow("k"))
+	assert.False(t, rl.Allow("k"))
+}
+
+func TestAPIRateLimiter_UpdateConfig_NonPositiveIgnored(t *testing.T) {
+	rl := NewAPIRateLimiter(&RateLimiterConfig{
+		RequestsPerMinute: 60,
+		Burst:             1,
+		CleanupInterval:   time.Minute,
+		LimiterTTL:        time.Minute,
+	})
+	defer rl.Stop()
+
+	assert.True(t, rl.Allow("k"))
+	assert.False(t, rl.Allow("k"))
+
+	rl.UpdateConfig(&RateLimiterConfig{RequestsPerMinute: 0, Burst: 0, CleanupInterval: time.Minute, LimiterTTL: time.Minute})
+	rl.UpdateConfig(&RateLimiterConfig{RequestsPerMinute: -1, Burst: 5, CleanupInterval: time.Minute, LimiterTTL: time.Minute})
+	rl.UpdateConfig(&RateLimiterConfig{RequestsPerMinute: 60, Burst: -1, CleanupInterval: time.Minute, LimiterTTL: time.Minute})
+
+	rl.Reset("k")
+	assert.True(t, rl.Allow("k"))
+	assert.False(t, rl.Allow("k"), "burst should still be 1 — invalid UpdateConfig calls were ignored")
+}
+
+func TestAPIRateLimiter_ConcurrentAllowAndUpdate(t *testing.T) {
+	rl := NewAPIRateLimiter(&RateLimiterConfig{
+		RequestsPerMinute: 600,
+		Burst:             10,
+		CleanupInterval:   time.Minute,
+		LimiterTTL:        time.Minute,
+	})
+	defer rl.Stop()
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	stop := make(chan struct{})
+
+	for i := 0; i < 8; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(id int) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			key := fmt.Sprintf("k%d", id)
+			for {
+				select {
+				case <-stop:
+					return
+				default:
+					rl.Allow(key)
+				}
+			}
+		}(i)
+	}
+
+	wg.Add(1)
+	go func() {
+		defer wg.Done()
+		for i := 0; i < 200; i++ {
+			select {
+			case <-stop:
+				return
+			default:
+				rl.UpdateConfig(&RateLimiterConfig{
+					RequestsPerMinute: float64(30 + (i % 90)),
+					Burst:             1 + (i % 20),
+					CleanupInterval:   time.Minute,
+					LimiterTTL:        time.Minute,
+				})
+				rl.SetEnabled(i%2 == 0)
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+
+	time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	close(stop)
+	wg.Wait()
+}
+
+func TestRateLimiterConfigFromEnv(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Setenv(RateLimitingEnabledEnv, "true")
+	t.Setenv(RateLimitingRPMEnv, "42")
+	t.Setenv(RateLimitingBurstEnv, "7")
+
+	cfg, enabled := RateLimiterConfigFromEnv()
+	assert.True(t, enabled)
+	assert.Equal(t, float64(42), cfg.RequestsPerMinute)
+	assert.Equal(t, 7, cfg.Burst)
+
+	t.Setenv(RateLimitingEnabledEnv, "false")
+	_, enabled = RateLimiterConfigFromEnv()
+	assert.False(t, enabled)
+
+	t.Setenv(RateLimitingEnabledEnv, "")
+	t.Setenv(RateLimitingRPMEnv, "")
+	t.Setenv(RateLimitingBurstEnv, "")
+	cfg, enabled = RateLimiterConfigFromEnv()
+	assert.False(t, enabled)
+	assert.Equal(t, float64(defaultAPIRPM), cfg.RequestsPerMinute)
+	assert.Equal(t, defaultAPIBurst, cfg.Burst)
+
+	t.Setenv(RateLimitingRPMEnv, "0")
+	t.Setenv(RateLimitingBurstEnv, "-5")
+	cfg, _ = RateLimiterConfigFromEnv()
+	assert.Equal(t, float64(defaultAPIRPM), cfg.RequestsPerMinute, "non-positive rpm must fall back to default")
+	assert.Equal(t, defaultAPIBurst, cfg.Burst, "non-positive burst must fall back to default")
+}

management/server/http/testing/testing_tools/channel/channel.go

@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ func BuildApiBlackBoxWithDBState(t testing_tools.TB, sqlFile string, expectedPee
 	customZonesManager := zonesManager.NewManager(store, am, permissionsManager, "")
 	zoneRecordsManager := recordsManager.NewManager(store, am, permissionsManager)
 
-	apiHandler, err := http2.NewAPIHandler(context.Background(), am, networksManager, resourcesManager, routersManager, groupsManager, geoMock, authManagerMock, metrics, validatorMock, proxyController, permissionsManager, peersManager, settingsManager, customZonesManager, zoneRecordsManager, networkMapController, nil, serviceManager, nil, nil, nil, nil)
+	apiHandler, err := http2.NewAPIHandler(context.Background(), am, networksManager, resourcesManager, routersManager, groupsManager, geoMock, authManagerMock, metrics, validatorMock, proxyController, permissionsManager, peersManager, settingsManager, customZonesManager, zoneRecordsManager, networkMapController, nil, serviceManager, nil, nil, nil, nil, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to create API handler: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ func BuildApiBlackBoxWithDBStateAndPeerChannel(t testing_tools.TB, sqlFile strin
 	customZonesManager := zonesManager.NewManager(store, am, permissionsManager, "")
 	zoneRecordsManager := recordsManager.NewManager(store, am, permissionsManager)
 
-	apiHandler, err := http2.NewAPIHandler(context.Background(), am, networksManager, resourcesManager, routersManager, groupsManager, geoMock, authManagerMock, metrics, validatorMock, proxyController, permissionsManager, peersManager, settingsManager, customZonesManager, zoneRecordsManager, networkMapController, nil, serviceManager, nil, nil, nil, nil)
+	apiHandler, err := http2.NewAPIHandler(context.Background(), am, networksManager, resourcesManager, routersManager, groupsManager, geoMock, authManagerMock, metrics, validatorMock, proxyController, permissionsManager, peersManager, settingsManager, customZonesManager, zoneRecordsManager, networkMapController, nil, serviceManager, nil, nil, nil, nil, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to create API handler: %v", err)
 	}

management/server/management_proto_test.go

@@ -267,8 +267,8 @@ func Test_SyncProtocol(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// expired peers come separately.
-	if len(networkMap.GetOfflinePeers()) != 1 {
-		t.Fatal("expecting SyncResponse to have NetworkMap with 1 offline peer")
+	if len(networkMap.GetOfflinePeers()) != 2 {
+		t.Fatal("expecting SyncResponse to have NetworkMap with 2 offline peer")
 	}
 
 	expiredPeerPubKey := "RlSy2vzoG2HyMBTUImXOiVhCBiiBa5qD5xzMxkiFDW4="

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.go

@@ -1405,6 +1405,10 @@ func (am *DefaultAccountManager) getExpiredPeers(ctx context.Context, accountID
 
 	var peers []*nbpeer.Peer
 	for _, peer := range peersWithExpiry {
+		if peer.Status.LoginExpired {
+			continue
+		}
+
 		expired, _ := peer.LoginExpired(settings.PeerLoginExpiration)
 		if expired {
 			peers = append(peers, peer)

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.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	_ "embed"
 
 	"github.com/rs/xid"
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/permissions/modules"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/permissions/operations"
@@ -46,25 +47,40 @@ func (am *DefaultAccountManager) SavePolicy(ctx context.Context, accountID, user
 	var isUpdate = policy.ID != ""
 	var updateAccountPeers bool
 	var action = activity.PolicyAdded
+	var unchanged bool
 
 	err = am.Store.ExecuteInTransaction(ctx, func(transaction store.Store) error {
-		if err = validatePolicy(ctx, transaction, accountID, policy); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		updateAccountPeers, err = arePolicyChangesAffectPeers(ctx, transaction, accountID, policy, isUpdate)
+		existingPolicy, err := validatePolicy(ctx, transaction, accountID, policy)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
-		saveFunc := transaction.CreatePolicy
 		if isUpdate {
-			action = activity.PolicyUpdated
-			saveFunc = transaction.SavePolicy
-		}
+			if policy.Equal(existingPolicy) {
+				logrus.WithContext(ctx).Tracef("policy update skipped because equal to stored one - policy id %s", policy.ID)
+				unchanged = true
+				return nil
+			}
 
-		if err = saveFunc(ctx, policy); err != nil {
-			return err
+			action = activity.PolicyUpdated
+
+			updateAccountPeers, err = arePolicyChangesAffectPeersWithExisting(ctx, transaction, policy, existingPolicy)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+
+			if err = transaction.SavePolicy(ctx, policy); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		} else {
+			updateAccountPeers, err = arePolicyChangesAffectPeers(ctx, transaction, policy)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+
+			if err = transaction.CreatePolicy(ctx, policy); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
 		}
 
 		return transaction.IncrementNetworkSerial(ctx, accountID)
@@ -73,6 +89,10 @@ func (am *DefaultAccountManager) SavePolicy(ctx context.Context, accountID, user
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	if unchanged {
+		return policy, nil
+	}
+
 	am.StoreEvent(ctx, userID, policy.ID, accountID, action, policy.EventMeta())
 
 	if updateAccountPeers {
@@ -101,7 +121,7 @@ func (am *DefaultAccountManager) DeletePolicy(ctx context.Context, accountID, po
 			return err
 		}
 
-		updateAccountPeers, err = arePolicyChangesAffectPeers(ctx, transaction, accountID, policy, false)
+		updateAccountPeers, err = arePolicyChangesAffectPeers(ctx, transaction, policy)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -138,34 +158,37 @@ func (am *DefaultAccountManager) ListPolicies(ctx context.Context, accountID, us
 	return am.Store.GetAccountPolicies(ctx, store.LockingStrengthNone, accountID)
 }
 
-// arePolicyChangesAffectPeers checks if changes to a policy will affect any associated peers.
-func arePolicyChangesAffectPeers(ctx context.Context, transaction store.Store, accountID string, policy *types.Policy, isUpdate bool) (bool, error) {
-	if isUpdate {
-		existingPolicy, err := transaction.GetPolicyByID(ctx, store.LockingStrengthNone, accountID, policy.ID)
-		if err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-
-		if !policy.Enabled && !existingPolicy.Enabled {
-			return false, nil
-		}
-
-		for _, rule := range existingPolicy.Rules {
-			if rule.SourceResource.Type != "" || rule.DestinationResource.Type != "" {
-				return true, nil
-			}
-		}
-
-		hasPeers, err := anyGroupHasPeersOrResources(ctx, transaction, policy.AccountID, existingPolicy.RuleGroups())
-		if err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-
-		if hasPeers {
+// arePolicyChangesAffectPeers checks if a policy (being created or deleted) will affect any associated peers.
+func arePolicyChangesAffectPeers(ctx context.Context, transaction store.Store, policy *types.Policy) (bool, error) {
+	for _, rule := range policy.Rules {
+		if rule.SourceResource.Type != "" || rule.DestinationResource.Type != "" {
 			return true, nil
 		}
 	}
 
+	return anyGroupHasPeersOrResources(ctx, transaction, policy.AccountID, policy.RuleGroups())
+}
+
+func arePolicyChangesAffectPeersWithExisting(ctx context.Context, transaction store.Store, policy *types.Policy, existingPolicy *types.Policy) (bool, error) {
+	if !policy.Enabled && !existingPolicy.Enabled {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+
+	for _, rule := range existingPolicy.Rules {
+		if rule.SourceResource.Type != "" || rule.DestinationResource.Type != "" {
+			return true, nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	hasPeers, err := anyGroupHasPeersOrResources(ctx, transaction, policy.AccountID, existingPolicy.RuleGroups())
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+
+	if hasPeers {
+		return true, nil
+	}
+
 	for _, rule := range policy.Rules {
 		if rule.SourceResource.Type != "" || rule.DestinationResource.Type != "" {
 			return true, nil
@@ -175,12 +198,15 @@ func arePolicyChangesAffectPeers(ctx context.Context, transaction store.Store, a
 	return anyGroupHasPeersOrResources(ctx, transaction, policy.AccountID, policy.RuleGroups())
 }
 
-// validatePolicy validates the policy and its rules.
-func validatePolicy(ctx context.Context, transaction store.Store, accountID string, policy *types.Policy) error {
+// validatePolicy validates the policy and its rules. For updates it returns
+// the existing policy loaded from the store so callers can avoid a second read.
+func validatePolicy(ctx context.Context, transaction store.Store, accountID string, policy *types.Policy) (*types.Policy, error) {
+	var existingPolicy *types.Policy
 	if policy.ID != "" {
-		existingPolicy, err := transaction.GetPolicyByID(ctx, store.LockingStrengthNone, accountID, policy.ID)
+		var err error
+		existingPolicy, err = transaction.GetPolicyByID(ctx, store.LockingStrengthNone, accountID, policy.ID)
 		if err != nil {
-			return err
+			return nil, err
 		}
 
 		// TODO: Refactor to support multiple rules per policy
@@ -191,7 +217,7 @@ func validatePolicy(ctx context.Context, transaction store.Store, accountID stri
 
 		for _, rule := range policy.Rules {
 			if rule.ID != "" && !existingRuleIDs[rule.ID] {
-				return status.Errorf(status.InvalidArgument, "invalid rule ID: %s", rule.ID)
+				return nil, status.Errorf(status.InvalidArgument, "invalid rule ID: %s", rule.ID)
 			}
 		}
 	} else {
@@ -201,12 +227,12 @@ func validatePolicy(ctx context.Context, transaction store.Store, accountID stri
 
 	groups, err := transaction.GetGroupsByIDs(ctx, store.LockingStrengthNone, accountID, policy.RuleGroups())
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	postureChecks, err := transaction.GetPostureChecksByIDs(ctx, store.LockingStrengthNone, accountID, policy.SourcePostureChecks)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	for i, rule := range policy.Rules {
@@ -225,7 +251,7 @@ func validatePolicy(ctx context.Context, transaction store.Store, accountID stri
 		policy.SourcePostureChecks = getValidPostureCheckIDs(postureChecks, policy.SourcePostureChecks)
 	}
 
-	return nil
+	return existingPolicy, nil
 }
 
 // getValidPostureCheckIDs filters and returns only the valid posture check IDs from the provided list.

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/store/sql_store.go

@@ -3310,7 +3310,7 @@ func (s *SqlStore) GetAccountPeersWithExpiration(ctx context.Context, lockStreng
 
 	var peers []*nbpeer.Peer
 	result := tx.
-		Where("login_expiration_enabled = ? AND user_id IS NOT NULL AND user_id != ''", true).
+		Where("login_expiration_enabled = ? AND peer_status_login_expired != ? AND user_id IS NOT NULL AND user_id != ''", true, true).
 		Find(&peers, accountIDCondition, accountID)
 	if err := result.Error; err != nil {
 		log.WithContext(ctx).Errorf("failed to get peers with expiration from the store: %s", result.Error)

management/server/store/sql_store_test.go

@@ -2729,7 +2729,7 @@ func TestSqlStore_GetAccountPeers(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			name:          "should retrieve peers for an existing account ID",
 			accountID:     "bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b",
-			expectedCount: 4,
+			expectedCount: 5,
 		},
 		{
 			name:          "should return no peers for a non-existing account ID",
@@ -2751,7 +2751,7 @@ func TestSqlStore_GetAccountPeers(t *testing.T) {
 			name:          "should filter peers by partial name",
 			accountID:     "bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b",
 			nameFilter:    "host",
-			expectedCount: 3,
+			expectedCount: 4,
 		},
 		{
 			name:          "should filter peers by ip",
@@ -2777,14 +2777,16 @@ func TestSqlStore_GetAccountPeersWithExpiration(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	tests := []struct {
-		name          string
-		accountID     string
-		expectedCount int
+		name            string
+		accountID       string
+		expectedCount   int
+		expectedPeerIDs []string
 	}{
 		{
-			name:          "should retrieve peers with expiration for an existing account ID",
-			accountID:     "bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b",
-			expectedCount: 1,
+			name:            "should retrieve only non-expired peers with expiration enabled",
+			accountID:       "bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b",
+			expectedCount:   1,
+			expectedPeerIDs: []string{"notexpired01"},
 		},
 		{
 			name:          "should return no peers with expiration for a non-existing account ID",
@@ -2803,10 +2805,30 @@ func TestSqlStore_GetAccountPeersWithExpiration(t *testing.T) {
 			peers, err := store.GetAccountPeersWithExpiration(context.Background(), LockingStrengthNone, tt.accountID)
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 			require.Len(t, peers, tt.expectedCount)
+			for i, peer := range peers {
+				assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedPeerIDs[i], peer.ID)
+			}
 		})
 	}
 }
 
+func TestSqlStore_GetAccountPeersWithExpiration_ExcludesAlreadyExpired(t *testing.T) {
+	store, cleanup, err := NewTestStoreFromSQL(context.Background(), "../testdata/store_with_expired_peers.sql", t.TempDir())
+	t.Cleanup(cleanup)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	accountID := "bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b"
+
+	peers, err := store.GetAccountPeersWithExpiration(context.Background(), LockingStrengthNone, accountID)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Verify the already-expired peer (cg05lnblo1hkg2j514p0) is not returned
+	for _, peer := range peers {
+		assert.NotEqual(t, "cg05lnblo1hkg2j514p0", peer.ID, "already expired peer should not be returned")
+		assert.False(t, peer.Status.LoginExpired, "returned peers should not have LoginExpired set")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestSqlStore_GetAccountPeersWithInactivity(t *testing.T) {
 	store, cleanup, err := NewTestStoreFromSQL(context.Background(), "../testdata/store_with_expired_peers.sql", t.TempDir())
 	t.Cleanup(cleanup)
@@ -2887,7 +2909,7 @@ func TestSqlStore_GetUserPeers(t *testing.T) {
 			name:          "should retrieve peers for another valid account ID and user ID",
 			accountID:     "bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b",
 			userID:        "edafee4e-63fb-11ec-90d6-0242ac120003",
-			expectedCount: 2,
+			expectedCount: 3,
 		},
 		{
 			name:          "should return no peers for existing account ID with empty user ID",

management/server/telemetry/http_api_metrics.go

@@ -193,20 +193,12 @@ func (m *HTTPMiddleware) Handler(h http.Handler) http.Handler {
 			}
 		})
 
-		h.ServeHTTP(w, r.WithContext(ctx))
+		// Hold on to req so auth's in-place ctx update is visible after ServeHTTP.
+		req := r.WithContext(ctx)
+		h.ServeHTTP(w, req)
 		close(handlerDone)
 
-		userAuth, err := nbContext.GetUserAuthFromContext(r.Context())
-		if err == nil {
-			if userAuth.AccountId != "" {
-				//nolint
-				ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, nbContext.AccountIDKey, userAuth.AccountId)
-			}
-			if userAuth.UserId != "" {
-				//nolint
-				ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, nbContext.UserIDKey, userAuth.UserId)
-			}
-		}
+		ctx = req.Context()
 
 		if w.Status() > 399 {
 			log.WithContext(ctx).Errorf("HTTP response %v: %v %v status %v", reqID, r.Method, r.URL, w.Status())

management/server/testdata/store_with_expired_peers.sql

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ INSERT INTO peers VALUES('cfvprsrlo1hqoo49ohog','bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-3465300
 INSERT INTO peers VALUES('cg05lnblo1hkg2j514p0','bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b','RlSy2vzoG2HyMBTUImXOiVhCBiiBa5qD5xzMxkiFDW4=','','"100.64.39.54"','expiredhost','linux','Linux','22.04','x86_64','Ubuntu','','development','','',NULL,'','','','{"Cloud":"","Platform":""}',NULL,'expiredhost','expiredhost','2023-03-02 09:19:57.276717255+01:00',0,1,0,'edafee4e-63fb-11ec-90d6-0242ac120003','ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAIMbK5ZXJsGOOWoBT4OmkPtgdPZe2Q7bDuS/zjn2CZxhK',0,1,0,'2023-03-02 09:14:21.791679181+01:00','2024-10-02 17:00:32.527947+02:00',0,'""','','',0);
 INSERT INTO peers VALUES('cg3161rlo1hs9cq94gdg','bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b','mVABSKj28gv+JRsf7e0NEGKgSOGTfU/nPB2cpuG56HU=','','"100.64.117.96"','testhost','linux','Linux','22.04','x86_64','Ubuntu','','development','','',NULL,'','','','{"Cloud":"","Platform":""}',NULL,'testhost','testhost','2023-03-06 18:21:27.252010027+01:00',0,0,0,'edafee4e-63fb-11ec-90d6-0242ac120003','ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAINWvvUkFFcrj48CWTkNUb/do/n52i1L5dH4DhGu+4ZuM',0,0,0,'2023-03-07 09:02:47.442857106+01:00','2024-10-02 17:00:32.527947+02:00',0,'""','','',0);
 INSERT INTO peers VALUES('csrnkiq7qv9d8aitqd50','bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b','nVABSKj28gv+JRsf7e0NEGKgSOGTfU/nPB2cpuG56HX=','','"100.64.117.97"','testhost','linux','Linux','22.04','x86_64','Ubuntu','','development','','',NULL,'','','','{"Cloud":"","Platform":""}',NULL,'testhost','testhost-1','2023-03-06 18:21:27.252010027+01:00',0,0,0,'f4f6d672-63fb-11ec-90d6-0242ac120003','ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAINWvvUkFFcrj48CWTkNUb/do/n52i1L5dH4DhGu+4ZuM',0,0,1,'2023-03-07 09:02:47.442857106+01:00','2024-10-02 17:00:32.527947+02:00',0,'""','','',0);
+INSERT INTO peers VALUES('notexpired01','bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b','oVABSKj28gv+JRsf7e0NEGKgSOGTfU/nPB2cpuG56HY=','','"100.64.117.98"','activehost','linux','Linux','22.04','x86_64','Ubuntu','','development','','',NULL,'','','','{"Cloud":"","Platform":""}',NULL,'activehost','activehost','2023-03-06 18:21:27.252010027+01:00',0,0,0,'edafee4e-63fb-11ec-90d6-0242ac120003','ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAINWvvUkFFcrj48CWTkNUb/do/n52i1L5dH4DhGu+4ZuM',0,1,0,'2023-03-07 09:02:47.442857106+01:00','2024-10-02 17:00:32.527947+02:00',0,'""','','',0);
 INSERT INTO users VALUES('f4f6d672-63fb-11ec-90d6-0242ac120003','bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b','user',0,0,'','[]',0,NULL,'2024-10-02 17:00:32.528196+02:00','api',0,'');
 INSERT INTO users VALUES('edafee4e-63fb-11ec-90d6-0242ac120003','bf1c8084-ba50-4ce7-9439-34653001fc3b','admin',0,0,'','[]',0,NULL,'2024-10-02 17:00:32.528196+02:00','api',0,'');
 INSERT INTO installations VALUES(1,'');

management/server/types/policy.go

@@ -93,6 +93,44 @@ func (p *Policy) Copy() *Policy {
 	return c
 }
 
+func (p *Policy) Equal(other *Policy) bool {
+	if p == nil || other == nil {
+		return p == other
+	}
+
+	if p.ID != other.ID ||
+		p.AccountID != other.AccountID ||
+		p.Name != other.Name ||
+		p.Description != other.Description ||
+		p.Enabled != other.Enabled {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	if !stringSlicesEqualUnordered(p.SourcePostureChecks, other.SourcePostureChecks) {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	if len(p.Rules) != len(other.Rules) {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	otherRules := make(map[string]*PolicyRule, len(other.Rules))
+	for _, r := range other.Rules {
+		otherRules[r.ID] = r
+	}
+	for _, r := range p.Rules {
+		otherRule, ok := otherRules[r.ID]
+		if !ok {
+			return false
+		}
+		if !r.Equal(otherRule) {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
 // EventMeta returns activity event meta related to this policy
 func (p *Policy) EventMeta() map[string]any {
 	return map[string]any{"name": p.Name}

management/server/types/policy_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+package types
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+)
+
+func TestPolicyEqual_SameRulesDifferentOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &Policy{
+		ID:        "pol1",
+		AccountID: "acc1",
+		Name:      "test",
+		Enabled:   true,
+		Rules: []*PolicyRule{
+			{ID: "r1", PolicyID: "pol1", Ports: []string{"80"}},
+			{ID: "r2", PolicyID: "pol1", Ports: []string{"443"}},
+		},
+	}
+	b := &Policy{
+		ID:        "pol1",
+		AccountID: "acc1",
+		Name:      "test",
+		Enabled:   true,
+		Rules: []*PolicyRule{
+			{ID: "r2", PolicyID: "pol1", Ports: []string{"443"}},
+			{ID: "r1", PolicyID: "pol1", Ports: []string{"80"}},
+		},
+	}
+	assert.True(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyEqual_DifferentRules(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &Policy{
+		ID:      "pol1",
+		Enabled: true,
+		Rules: []*PolicyRule{
+			{ID: "r1", PolicyID: "pol1", Ports: []string{"80"}},
+		},
+	}
+	b := &Policy{
+		ID:      "pol1",
+		Enabled: true,
+		Rules: []*PolicyRule{
+			{ID: "r1", PolicyID: "pol1", Ports: []string{"443"}},
+		},
+	}
+	assert.False(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyEqual_DifferentRuleCount(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &Policy{
+		ID: "pol1",
+		Rules: []*PolicyRule{
+			{ID: "r1", PolicyID: "pol1"},
+		},
+	}
+	b := &Policy{
+		ID: "pol1",
+		Rules: []*PolicyRule{
+			{ID: "r1", PolicyID: "pol1"},
+			{ID: "r2", PolicyID: "pol1"},
+		},
+	}
+	assert.False(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyEqual_PostureChecksDifferentOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &Policy{
+		ID:                  "pol1",
+		SourcePostureChecks: []string{"pc3", "pc1", "pc2"},
+	}
+	b := &Policy{
+		ID:                  "pol1",
+		SourcePostureChecks: []string{"pc1", "pc2", "pc3"},
+	}
+	assert.True(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyEqual_DifferentPostureChecks(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &Policy{
+		ID:                  "pol1",
+		SourcePostureChecks: []string{"pc1", "pc2"},
+	}
+	b := &Policy{
+		ID:                  "pol1",
+		SourcePostureChecks: []string{"pc1", "pc3"},
+	}
+	assert.False(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyEqual_DifferentScalarFields(t *testing.T) {
+	base := Policy{
+		ID:          "pol1",
+		AccountID:   "acc1",
+		Name:        "test",
+		Description: "desc",
+		Enabled:     true,
+	}
+
+	other := base
+	other.Name = "changed"
+	assert.False(t, base.Equal(&other))
+
+	other = base
+	other.Enabled = false
+	assert.False(t, base.Equal(&other))
+
+	other = base
+	other.Description = "changed"
+	assert.False(t, base.Equal(&other))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyEqual_NilCases(t *testing.T) {
+	var a *Policy
+	var b *Policy
+	assert.True(t, a.Equal(b))
+
+	a = &Policy{ID: "pol1"}
+	assert.False(t, a.Equal(nil))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyEqual_RulesMismatchByID(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &Policy{
+		ID: "pol1",
+		Rules: []*PolicyRule{
+			{ID: "r1", PolicyID: "pol1"},
+		},
+	}
+	b := &Policy{
+		ID: "pol1",
+		Rules: []*PolicyRule{
+			{ID: "r2", PolicyID: "pol1"},
+		},
+	}
+	assert.False(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyEqual_FullScenario(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &Policy{
+		ID:                  "pol1",
+		AccountID:           "acc1",
+		Name:                "Web Access",
+		Description:         "Allow web access",
+		Enabled:             true,
+		SourcePostureChecks: []string{"pc2", "pc1"},
+		Rules: []*PolicyRule{
+			{
+				ID:            "r1",
+				PolicyID:      "pol1",
+				Name:          "HTTP",
+				Enabled:       true,
+				Action:        PolicyTrafficActionAccept,
+				Protocol:      PolicyRuleProtocolTCP,
+				Bidirectional: true,
+				Sources:       []string{"g2", "g1"},
+				Destinations:  []string{"g4", "g3"},
+				Ports:         []string{"443", "80", "8080"},
+				PortRanges: []RulePortRange{
+					{Start: 8000, End: 9000},
+					{Start: 80, End: 80},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+	b := &Policy{
+		ID:                  "pol1",
+		AccountID:           "acc1",
+		Name:                "Web Access",
+		Description:         "Allow web access",
+		Enabled:             true,
+		SourcePostureChecks: []string{"pc1", "pc2"},
+		Rules: []*PolicyRule{
+			{
+				ID:            "r1",
+				PolicyID:      "pol1",
+				Name:          "HTTP",
+				Enabled:       true,
+				Action:        PolicyTrafficActionAccept,
+				Protocol:      PolicyRuleProtocolTCP,
+				Bidirectional: true,
+				Sources:       []string{"g1", "g2"},
+				Destinations:  []string{"g3", "g4"},
+				Ports:         []string{"80", "8080", "443"},
+				PortRanges: []RulePortRange{
+					{Start: 80, End: 80},
+					{Start: 8000, End: 9000},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+	assert.True(t, a.Equal(b))
+}

management/server/types/policyrule.go

@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package types
 
 import (
+	"slices"
+
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
 )
 
@@ -118,3 +120,106 @@ func (pm *PolicyRule) Copy() *PolicyRule {
 	}
 	return rule
 }
+
+func (pm *PolicyRule) Equal(other *PolicyRule) bool {
+	if pm == nil || other == nil {
+		return pm == other
+	}
+
+	if pm.ID != other.ID ||
+		pm.PolicyID != other.PolicyID ||
+		pm.Name != other.Name ||
+		pm.Description != other.Description ||
+		pm.Enabled != other.Enabled ||
+		pm.Action != other.Action ||
+		pm.Bidirectional != other.Bidirectional ||
+		pm.Protocol != other.Protocol ||
+		pm.SourceResource != other.SourceResource ||
+		pm.DestinationResource != other.DestinationResource ||
+		pm.AuthorizedUser != other.AuthorizedUser {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	if !stringSlicesEqualUnordered(pm.Sources, other.Sources) {
+		return false
+	}
+	if !stringSlicesEqualUnordered(pm.Destinations, other.Destinations) {
+		return false
+	}
+	if !stringSlicesEqualUnordered(pm.Ports, other.Ports) {
+		return false
+	}
+	if !portRangeSlicesEqualUnordered(pm.PortRanges, other.PortRanges) {
+		return false
+	}
+	if !authorizedGroupsEqual(pm.AuthorizedGroups, other.AuthorizedGroups) {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
+func stringSlicesEqualUnordered(a, b []string) bool {
+	if len(a) != len(b) {
+		return false
+	}
+	if len(a) == 0 {
+		return true
+	}
+	sorted1 := make([]string, len(a))
+	sorted2 := make([]string, len(b))
+	copy(sorted1, a)
+	copy(sorted2, b)
+	slices.Sort(sorted1)
+	slices.Sort(sorted2)
+	return slices.Equal(sorted1, sorted2)
+}
+
+func portRangeSlicesEqualUnordered(a, b []RulePortRange) bool {
+	if len(a) != len(b) {
+		return false
+	}
+	if len(a) == 0 {
+		return true
+	}
+	cmp := func(x, y RulePortRange) int {
+		if x.Start != y.Start {
+			if x.Start < y.Start {
+				return -1
+			}
+			return 1
+		}
+		if x.End != y.End {
+			if x.End < y.End {
+				return -1
+			}
+			return 1
+		}
+		return 0
+	}
+	sorted1 := make([]RulePortRange, len(a))
+	sorted2 := make([]RulePortRange, len(b))
+	copy(sorted1, a)
+	copy(sorted2, b)
+	slices.SortFunc(sorted1, cmp)
+	slices.SortFunc(sorted2, cmp)
+	return slices.EqualFunc(sorted1, sorted2, func(x, y RulePortRange) bool {
+		return x.Start == y.Start && x.End == y.End
+	})
+}
+
+func authorizedGroupsEqual(a, b map[string][]string) bool {
+	if len(a) != len(b) {
+		return false
+	}
+	for k, va := range a {
+		vb, ok := b[k]
+		if !ok {
+			return false
+		}
+		if !stringSlicesEqualUnordered(va, vb) {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}

management/server/types/policyrule_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,194 @@
+package types
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+)
+
+func TestPolicyRuleEqual_SamePortsDifferentOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		Ports:    []string{"443", "80", "22"},
+	}
+	b := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		Ports:    []string{"22", "443", "80"},
+	}
+	assert.True(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyRuleEqual_DifferentPorts(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		Ports:    []string{"443", "80"},
+	}
+	b := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		Ports:    []string{"443", "22"},
+	}
+	assert.False(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyRuleEqual_SourcesDestinationsDifferentOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:           "rule1",
+		PolicyID:     "pol1",
+		Sources:      []string{"g1", "g2", "g3"},
+		Destinations: []string{"g4", "g5"},
+	}
+	b := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:           "rule1",
+		PolicyID:     "pol1",
+		Sources:      []string{"g3", "g1", "g2"},
+		Destinations: []string{"g5", "g4"},
+	}
+	assert.True(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyRuleEqual_DifferentSources(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		Sources:  []string{"g1", "g2"},
+	}
+	b := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		Sources:  []string{"g1", "g3"},
+	}
+	assert.False(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyRuleEqual_PortRangesDifferentOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		PortRanges: []RulePortRange{
+			{Start: 8000, End: 9000},
+			{Start: 80, End: 80},
+		},
+	}
+	b := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		PortRanges: []RulePortRange{
+			{Start: 80, End: 80},
+			{Start: 8000, End: 9000},
+		},
+	}
+	assert.True(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyRuleEqual_DifferentPortRanges(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		PortRanges: []RulePortRange{
+			{Start: 80, End: 80},
+		},
+	}
+	b := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		PortRanges: []RulePortRange{
+			{Start: 80, End: 443},
+		},
+	}
+	assert.False(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyRuleEqual_AuthorizedGroupsDifferentValueOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		AuthorizedGroups: map[string][]string{
+			"g1": {"u1", "u2", "u3"},
+		},
+	}
+	b := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		AuthorizedGroups: map[string][]string{
+			"g1": {"u3", "u1", "u2"},
+		},
+	}
+	assert.True(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyRuleEqual_DifferentAuthorizedGroups(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		AuthorizedGroups: map[string][]string{
+			"g1": {"u1"},
+		},
+	}
+	b := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		AuthorizedGroups: map[string][]string{
+			"g2": {"u1"},
+		},
+	}
+	assert.False(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyRuleEqual_DifferentScalarFields(t *testing.T) {
+	base := PolicyRule{
+		ID:            "rule1",
+		PolicyID:      "pol1",
+		Name:          "test",
+		Description:   "desc",
+		Enabled:       true,
+		Action:        PolicyTrafficActionAccept,
+		Bidirectional: true,
+		Protocol:      PolicyRuleProtocolTCP,
+	}
+
+	other := base
+	other.Name = "changed"
+	assert.False(t, base.Equal(&other))
+
+	other = base
+	other.Enabled = false
+	assert.False(t, base.Equal(&other))
+
+	other = base
+	other.Action = PolicyTrafficActionDrop
+	assert.False(t, base.Equal(&other))
+
+	other = base
+	other.Protocol = PolicyRuleProtocolUDP
+	assert.False(t, base.Equal(&other))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyRuleEqual_NilCases(t *testing.T) {
+	var a *PolicyRule
+	var b *PolicyRule
+	assert.True(t, a.Equal(b))
+
+	a = &PolicyRule{ID: "rule1"}
+	assert.False(t, a.Equal(nil))
+}
+
+func TestPolicyRuleEqual_EmptySlices(t *testing.T) {
+	a := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		Ports:    []string{},
+		Sources:  nil,
+	}
+	b := &PolicyRule{
+		ID:       "rule1",
+		PolicyID: "pol1",
+		Ports:    nil,
+		Sources:  []string{},
+	}
+	assert.True(t, a.Equal(b))
+}
+

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")
 		}
 	})

proxy/internal/auth/middleware.go

@@ -433,6 +433,7 @@ func setSessionCookie(w http.ResponseWriter, token string, expiration time.Durat
 	http.SetCookie(w, &http.Cookie{
 		Name:     auth.SessionCookieName,
 		Value:    token,
+		Path:     "/",
 		HttpOnly: true,
 		Secure:   true,
 		SameSite: http.SameSiteLaxMode,

proxy/internal/auth/middleware_test.go

@@ -391,6 +391,15 @@ func TestProtect_SchemeAuthRedirectsWithCookie(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, http.SameSiteLaxMode, sessionCookie.SameSite)
 }
 
+func TestSetSessionCookieHasRootPath(t *testing.T) {
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	setSessionCookie(w, "test-token", time.Hour)
+
+	cookies := w.Result().Cookies()
+	require.Len(t, cookies, 1)
+	assert.Equal(t, "/", cookies[0].Path, "session cookie must be scoped to root so it applies to all paths")
+}
+
 func TestProtect_FailedAuthDoesNotSetCookie(t *testing.T) {
 	mw := NewMiddleware(log.StandardLogger(), nil, nil)
 	kp := generateTestKeyPair(t)

shared/management/client/grpc.go

@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ import (
 
 const ConnectTimeout = 10 * time.Second
 
+const healthCheckTimeout = 5 * time.Second
+
 const (
 	// EnvMaxRecvMsgSize overrides the default gRPC max receive message size (4 MB)
 	// for the management client connection. Value is in bytes.
@@ -532,7 +534,7 @@ func (c *GrpcClient) IsHealthy() bool {
 	case connectivity.Ready:
 	}
 
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(c.ctx, 1*time.Second)
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(c.ctx, healthCheckTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
 	_, err := c.realClient.GetServerKey(ctx, &proto.Empty{})

shared/signal/client/grpc.go

@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util/wsproxy"
 )
 
+const healthCheckTimeout = 5 * time.Second
+
 // ConnStateNotifier is a wrapper interface of the status recorder
 type ConnStateNotifier interface {
 	MarkSignalDisconnected(error)
@@ -263,7 +265,7 @@ func (c *GrpcClient) IsHealthy() bool {
 	case connectivity.Ready:
 	}
 
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(c.ctx, 1*time.Second)
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(c.ctx, healthCheckTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
 	_, err := c.realClient.Send(ctx, &proto.EncryptedMessage{
 		Key:       c.key.PublicKey().String(),