Merge remote-tracking branch 'origin/main' into netmap_progressive_alignment

* [iface] Drop redundant device dump in kernel configure()

wgctrl.ConfigureDevice already returns an error when the interface is
missing, so the preceding wg.Device() existence check is redundant. That
check dumps the entire device (all peers) on every configure() call,
making it O(peers) per call and turning bulk peer insertion into
O(peers^2): inserting N peers one by one re-parsed the whole growing peer
list N times. Removing it keeps each peer write constant-time regardless
of how many peers are already configured.

* [iface] Cache WireGuard stats to collapse per-peer device dumps

Each peer runs a WGWatcher that polls GetStats(), and every call dumps
the whole device, so with N peers the watchers perform O(N) full dumps
per poll cycle (O(N^2) work) while each keeps only its own peer's entry.

Wrap the kernel and userspace configurer GetStats() in a short-TTL cache
with singleflight: the staggered per-peer calls share a single device
dump per window and concurrent misses collapse into one dump. The kernel
and userspace WireGuard APIs have no per-peer stats query (a get always
returns the whole device), so a shared cached snapshot avoids the
repeated full dumps.

* Ignore .claude directory

.github/workflows/agent-network-e2e.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+name: Agent Network E2E
+
+on:
+  # Nightly at 03:00 UTC, plus on demand from the Actions tab.
+  schedule:
+    - cron: "0 3 * * *"
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+concurrency:
+  group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.ref }}
+  cancel-in-progress: true
+
+jobs:
+  e2e:
+    name: Agent Network E2E
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 45
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+
+      - name: Install Go
+        uses: actions/setup-go@4a3601121dd01d1626a1e23e37211e3254c1c06c # v6.4.0
+        with:
+          go-version-file: "go.mod"
+
+      # Container-driver builder so the harness can build the combined/proxy/
+      # client images from source with a local layer cache.
+      - name: Set up Buildx
+        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@d7f5e7f509e45cec5c76c4d5afdd7de93d0b3df5 # v4.1.0
+
+      # Persist the Docker layer cache across runs. This caches the base, apt,
+      # and go-mod-download layers; the Go compile still re-runs, as BuildKit
+      # mount caches cannot be exported to the GitHub cache.
+      - name: Cache Docker layers
+        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        with:
+          path: /tmp/.buildx-cache
+          key: ${{ runner.os }}-anet-e2e-buildx-${{ hashFiles('go.sum', 'combined/Dockerfile.multistage', 'proxy/Dockerfile.multistage', 'e2e/harness/Dockerfile.client') }}
+          restore-keys: |
+            ${{ runner.os }}-anet-e2e-buildx-
+
+      - name: Run agent-network e2e
+        env:
+          # Build the images from source (this branch's code) with the shared
+          # local layer cache.
+          NB_E2E_BUILDX_CACHE: /tmp/.buildx-cache
+          # Provider credentials. Each provider scenario skips if its
+          # token (and URL, for gateways) is unset, so partial coverage is fine.
+          OPENAI_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.E2E_OPENAI_TOKEN }}
+          ANTHROPIC_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.E2E_ANTHROPIC_TOKEN }}
+          VERCEL_URL: ${{ secrets.E2E_VERCEL_URL }}
+          VERCEL_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.E2E_VERCEL_TOKEN }}
+          OPENROUTER_URL: ${{ secrets.E2E_OPENROUTER_URL }}
+          OPENROUTER_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.E2E_OPENROUTER_TOKEN }}
+          CLOUDFLARE_URL: ${{ secrets.E2E_CLOUDFLARE_URL }}
+          CLOUDFLARE_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.E2E_CLOUDFLARE_TOKEN }}
+          AWS_BEARER_TOKEN_BEDROCK: ${{ secrets.E2E_AWS_BEARER_TOKEN_BEDROCK }}
+          AWS_REGION: ${{ secrets.E2E_AWS_REGION }}
+          # Vertex (Anthropic-on-Vertex): SA + project required; region defaults
+          # to "global", model to a pinned claude snapshot.
+          GOOGLE_VERTEX_SA_BASE64: ${{ secrets.E2E_GOOGLE_VERTEX_SA_BASE64 }}
+          GOOGLE_VERTEX_PROJECT: ${{ secrets.E2E_GOOGLE_VERTEX_PROJECT }}
+          GOOGLE_VERTEX_REGION: ${{ secrets.E2E_GOOGLE_VERTEX_REGION }}
+          GOOGLE_VERTEX_MODEL: ${{ secrets.E2E_GOOGLE_VERTEX_MODEL }}
+        run: go test -tags e2e -timeout 40m -v ./e2e/...

.github/workflows/check-license-dependencies.yml

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
@@ -59,12 +59,12 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+      - uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Set up Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: true

.github/workflows/git-town.yml

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       pull-requests: write
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+      - uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
       - uses: git-town/action@3d8b878379abb1ee393fb49865a28b4a6c2cd3b0 # v1.2.1

.github/workflows/golang-test-darwin.yml

@@ -16,18 +16,18 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: macos-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: ~/go/pkg/mod
           key: macos-gotest-${{ hashFiles('**/go.sum') }}
@@ -45,10 +45,10 @@ jobs:
         run: git --no-pager diff --exit-code
 
       - name: Test
-        run: NETBIRD_STORE_ENGINE=${{ matrix.store }} CI=true go test -coverprofile=coverage.txt -tags=devcert -exec 'sudo --preserve-env=CI,NETBIRD_STORE_ENGINE' -timeout 5m -p 1 $(go list ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined)
+        run: NETBIRD_STORE_ENGINE=${{ matrix.store }} CI=true go test -coverprofile=coverage.txt -tags 'devcert privileged' -exec 'sudo --preserve-env=CI,NETBIRD_STORE_ENGINE' -timeout 5m -p 1 $(go list ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined -e /client/testutil/privileged)
 
       - name: Upload coverage reports to Codecov
-        uses: codecov/codecov-action@e79a6962e0d4c0c17b229090214935d2e33f8354 #v6.0.1
+        uses: codecov/codecov-action@fb8b3582c8e4def4969c97caa2f19720cb33a72f #v7.0.0
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
           slug: netbirdio/netbird

.github/workflows/golang-test-freebsd.yml

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ jobs:
         id: test
         env:
           GO_VERSION: ${{ steps.goversion.outputs.version }}
-        uses: vmactions/freebsd-vm@d1e65811565151536c0c894fff74f06351ed26e6 # v1.4.5
+        uses: vmactions/freebsd-vm@b84ab5559b5a1bb4b8ee2737d2506a16e1737636 # v1.4.8
         with:
           usesh: true
           copyback: false
@@ -48,14 +48,14 @@ jobs:
             export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/go/bin:$HOME/go/bin
             time go build -o netbird client/main.go
             # check all component except management, since we do not support management server on freebsd
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./base62/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./base62/...
             # NOTE: without -p1 `client/internal/dns` will fail because of `listen udp4 :33100: bind: address already in use`
-            time go test -timeout 8m -failfast -v -p 1 ./client/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 8m -failfast -v -p 1 ./client/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./dns/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./dns/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./encryption/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./encryption/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./formatter/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./formatter/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./client/iface/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./client/iface/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./route/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./route/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./sharedsock/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./sharedsock/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./util/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./util/...
-            time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./version/...
+            time go test -tags privileged -timeout 1m -failfast ./version/...

.github/workflows/golang-test-linux.yml

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ jobs:
       management: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.management }}
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ jobs:
               - 'management/**'
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "modcache=$(go env GOMODCACHE)" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         id: cache
         with:
           path: |
@@ -119,12 +119,12 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "modcache=$(go env GOMODCACHE)" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: |
             ${{ env.cache }}
@@ -158,11 +158,11 @@ jobs:
         run: git --no-pager diff --exit-code
 
       - name: Test
-        run: CGO_ENABLED=1 GOARCH=${{ matrix.arch }} CI=true go test -coverprofile=coverage.txt -tags devcert -exec 'sudo' -timeout 10m -p 1 $(go list ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined)
+        run: CGO_ENABLED=1 GOARCH=${{ matrix.arch }} CI=true go test -coverprofile=coverage.txt -tags 'devcert privileged' -exec 'sudo --preserve-env=CI,CGO_ENABLED' -timeout 10m -p 1 $(go list ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined -e /client/testutil/privileged)
 
       - name: Upload coverage reports to Codecov
         if: matrix.arch == 'amd64'
-        uses: codecov/codecov-action@e79a6962e0d4c0c17b229090214935d2e33f8354 #v6.0.1
+        uses: codecov/codecov-action@fb8b3582c8e4def4969c97caa2f19720cb33a72f #v7.0.0
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
           slug: netbirdio/netbird
@@ -175,12 +175,12 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "modcache_dir=$(go env GOMODCACHE)" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         id: cache-restore
         with:
           path: |
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ jobs:
             sh -c ' \
               apk update; apk add --no-cache \
                 ca-certificates iptables ip6tables dbus dbus-dev libpcap-dev build-base; \
-              go test -buildvcs=false -tags devcert -v -timeout 10m -p 1 $(go list -buildvcs=false ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined -e /client/ui -e /upload-server)
+              go test -buildvcs=false -tags "devcert privileged" -v -timeout 10m -p 1 $(go list -buildvcs=false ./... | grep -v -e /management -e /signal -e /relay -e /proxy -e /combined -e /client/ui -e /upload-server -e /client/testutil/privileged)
             '
 
   test_relay:
@@ -246,12 +246,12 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "modcache=$(go env GOMODCACHE)" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: |
             ${{ env.cache }}
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Upload coverage reports to Codecov
         if: matrix.arch == 'amd64'
-        uses: codecov/codecov-action@e79a6962e0d4c0c17b229090214935d2e33f8354 #v6.0.1
+        uses: codecov/codecov-action@fb8b3582c8e4def4969c97caa2f19720cb33a72f #v7.0.0
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
           slug: netbirdio/netbird
@@ -306,12 +306,12 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "modcache=$(go env GOMODCACHE)" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: |
             ${{ env.cache }}
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Upload coverage reports to Codecov
         if: matrix.arch == 'amd64'
-        uses: codecov/codecov-action@e79a6962e0d4c0c17b229090214935d2e33f8354 #v6.0.1
+        uses: codecov/codecov-action@fb8b3582c8e4def4969c97caa2f19720cb33a72f #v7.0.0
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
           slug: netbirdio/netbird
@@ -363,12 +363,12 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "modcache=$(go env GOMODCACHE)" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: |
             ${{ env.cache }}
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Upload coverage reports to Codecov
         if: matrix.arch == 'amd64'
-        uses: codecov/codecov-action@e79a6962e0d4c0c17b229090214935d2e33f8354 #v6.0.1
+        uses: codecov/codecov-action@fb8b3582c8e4def4969c97caa2f19720cb33a72f #v7.0.0
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
           slug: netbirdio/netbird
@@ -424,12 +424,12 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "modcache=$(go env GOMODCACHE)" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: |
             ${{ env.cache }}
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Upload coverage reports to Codecov
         if: matrix.arch == 'amd64'
-        uses: codecov/codecov-action@e79a6962e0d4c0c17b229090214935d2e33f8354 #v6.0.1
+        uses: codecov/codecov-action@fb8b3582c8e4def4969c97caa2f19720cb33a72f #v7.0.0
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
           slug: netbirdio/netbird
@@ -529,12 +529,12 @@ jobs:
             prom/prometheus
 
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
@@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "modcache=$(go env GOMODCACHE)" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: |
             ${{ env.cache }}
@@ -579,10 +579,11 @@ jobs:
           CGO_ENABLED=1 GOARCH=${{ matrix.arch }} \
           NETBIRD_STORE_ENGINE=${{ matrix.store }} \
           CI=true \
-          GIT_BRANCH=${{ github.ref_name }} \
           go test -tags devcert -run=^$ -bench=. \
           -exec 'sudo --preserve-env=CI,NETBIRD_STORE_ENGINE,GIT_BRANCH,GITHUB_RUN_ID' \
           -timeout 20m ./management/... ./shared/management/... $(go list ./management/... ./shared/management/... | grep -v -e /management/server/http)
+        env:
+          GIT_BRANCH: ${{ github.ref_name }}
 
   api_benchmark:
     name: "Management / Benchmark (API)"
@@ -623,12 +624,12 @@ jobs:
             prom/prometheus
 
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
@@ -639,7 +640,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "modcache=$(go env GOMODCACHE)" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: |
             ${{ env.cache }}
@@ -673,12 +674,13 @@ jobs:
           CGO_ENABLED=1 GOARCH=${{ matrix.arch }} \
           NETBIRD_STORE_ENGINE=${{ matrix.store }} \
           CI=true \
-          GIT_BRANCH=${{ github.ref_name }} \
           go test -tags=benchmark \
             -run=^$ \
             -bench=. \
             -exec 'sudo --preserve-env=CI,NETBIRD_STORE_ENGINE,GIT_BRANCH,GITHUB_RUN_ID' \
             -timeout 20m ./management/server/http/...
+        env:
+          GIT_BRANCH: ${{ github.ref_name }}
 
   api_integration_test:
     name: "Management / Integration"
@@ -692,12 +694,12 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
@@ -708,7 +710,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "modcache=$(go env GOMODCACHE)" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: |
             ${{ env.cache }}
@@ -734,7 +736,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Upload coverage reports to Codecov
         if: matrix.arch == 'amd64'
-        uses: codecov/codecov-action@e79a6962e0d4c0c17b229090214935d2e33f8354 #v6.0.1
+        uses: codecov/codecov-action@fb8b3582c8e4def4969c97caa2f19720cb33a72f #v7.0.0
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
           slug: netbirdio/netbird

.github/workflows/golang-test-windows.yml

@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: windows-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         id: go
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "modcache=$(go env GOMODCACHE)" >> $env:GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: |
             ${{ env.cache }}
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           $packages = go list ./... | Where-Object { $_ -notmatch '/management' } | Where-Object { $_ -notmatch '/relay' } | Where-Object { $_ -notmatch '/signal' } | Where-Object { $_ -notmatch '/proxy' } | Where-Object { $_ -notmatch '/combined' }
           $goExe = "C:\hostedtoolcache\windows\go\${{ steps.go.outputs.go-version }}\x64\bin\go.exe"
-          $cmd = "$goExe test -tags=devcert -timeout 10m -p 1 $($packages -join ' ') > test-out.txt 2>&1"
+          $cmd = "$goExe test -tags `"devcert privileged`" -timeout 10m -p 1 $($packages -join ' ') > test-out.txt 2>&1"
           Set-Content -Path "${{ github.workspace }}\run-tests.cmd" -Value $cmd
 
       - name: test

.github/workflows/golangci-lint.yml

@@ -15,13 +15,13 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
       - name: codespell
         uses: codespell-project/actions-codespell@8f01853be192eb0f849a5c7d721450e7a467c579 # v2.2
         with:
-          ignore_words_list: erro,clienta,hastable,iif,groupd,testin,groupe,cros,ans,deriver,te,userA,ede,additionals
+          ignore_words_list: erro,clienta,hastable,iif,groupd,testin,groupe,cros,ans,deriver,te,userA,ede,additionals,flate,recordin,unparseable
           skip: go.mod,go.sum,**/proxy/web/**
   golangci:
     strategy:
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ jobs:
     timeout-minutes: 15
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
       - name: Check for duplicate constants
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           ! awk '/const \(/,/)/{print $0}' management/server/activity/codes.go | grep -o '= [0-9]*' | sort | uniq -d | grep .
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false

.github/workflows/install-script-test.yml

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 

.github/workflows/mobile-build-validation.yml

@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
       - name: Setup Android SDK
@@ -28,13 +28,13 @@ jobs:
         with:
           cmdline-tools-version: 8512546
       - name: Setup Java
-        uses: actions/setup-java@be666c2fcd27ec809703dec50e508c2fdc7f6654
+        uses: actions/setup-java@1bcf9fb12cf4aa7d266a90ae39939e61372fe520
         with:
           java-version: "11"
           distribution: "adopt"
       - name: NDK Cache
         id: ndk-cache
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: /usr/local/lib/android/sdk/ndk
           key: ndk-cache-23.1.7779620
@@ -54,11 +54,11 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: macos-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
       - name: install gomobile

.github/workflows/release.yml

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ jobs:
         if: steps.check_diff.outputs.diff_exists == 'true'
         env:
           GO_VERSION: ${{ steps.goversion.outputs.version }}
-        uses: vmactions/freebsd-vm@d1e65811565151536c0c894fff74f06351ed26e6 # v1.4.5
+        uses: vmactions/freebsd-vm@b84ab5559b5a1bb4b8ee2737d2506a16e1737636 # v1.4.8
         with:
           usesh: true
           copyback: false
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ jobs:
       ghcr_images: ${{ steps.tag_and_push_images.outputs.images_markdown }}
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0 # It is required for GoReleaser to work properly
           persist-credentials: false
@@ -166,12 +166,12 @@ jobs:
           fi
 
       - name: Set up Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: |
             ~/go/pkg/mod
@@ -186,9 +186,9 @@ jobs:
       - name: check git status
         run: git --no-pager diff --exit-code
       - name: Set up QEMU
-        uses: docker/setup-qemu-action@ce360397dd3f832beb865e1373c09c0e9f86d70a #v4.0.0
+        uses: docker/setup-qemu-action@06116385d9baf250c9f4dcb4858b16962ea869c3 #v4.1.0
       - name: Set up Docker Buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@4d04d5d9486b7bd6fa91e7baf45bbb4f8b9deedd #v4.0.0
+        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@d7f5e7f509e45cec5c76c4d5afdd7de93d0b3df5 #v4.1.0
       - name: Login to Docker hub
         if: github.event_name != 'pull_request'
         uses: docker/login-action@650006c6eb7dba73a995cc03b0b2d7f5ca915bee # v4.2.0
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ jobs:
         run: goversioninfo -arm -64 -icon client/ui/assets/netbird.ico -manifest client/manifest.xml -product-name ${{ env.PRODUCT_NAME }} -copyright "${{ env.COPYRIGHT }}" -ver-major ${{ steps.semver_parser.outputs.major }} -ver-minor ${{ steps.semver_parser.outputs.minor }} -ver-patch ${{ steps.semver_parser.outputs.patch }} -ver-build 0 -file-version ${{ steps.semver_parser.outputs.fullversion }}.0 -product-version ${{ steps.semver_parser.outputs.fullversion }}.0 -o client/resources_windows_arm64.syso
       - name: Run GoReleaser
         id: goreleaser
-        uses: goreleaser/goreleaser-action@4c6ab561adb47e50c45ef534e2155934e91c40c1 # v7.2.0
+        uses: goreleaser/goreleaser-action@5daf1e915a5f0af01ddbcd89a43b8061ff4f1a89 # v7.2.2
         with:
           version: ${{ env.GORELEASER_VER }}
           args: release --clean ${{ env.flags }}
@@ -293,8 +293,11 @@ jobs:
           ${{ steps.goreleaser.outputs.artifacts }}
           JSON
 
+          # dockers_v2 artifacts have no top-level goarch field, so match the
+          # per-platform -amd64 tag suffix instead; it works for both the old
+          # dockers and the new dockers_v2 image naming.
           mapfile -t src_images < <(
-            jq -r '.[] | select(.type == "Docker Image") | select(.goarch == "amd64") | .name | select(startswith("ghcr.io/"))' /tmp/goreleaser-artifacts.json
+            jq -r '.[] | select(.type == "Docker Image") | .name | select(startswith("ghcr.io/") and endswith("-amd64"))' /tmp/goreleaser-artifacts.json
           )
 
           for src in "${src_images[@]}"; do
@@ -347,7 +350,7 @@ jobs:
       release_ui_artifact_url: ${{ steps.upload_release_ui.outputs.artifact-url }}
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0 # It is required for GoReleaser to work properly
           persist-credentials: false
@@ -374,12 +377,12 @@ jobs:
           fi
 
       - name: Set up Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: |
             ~/go/pkg/mod
@@ -420,7 +423,7 @@ jobs:
         run: goversioninfo -arm -64 -icon client/ui/assets/netbird.ico -manifest client/ui/manifest.xml -product-name ${{ env.PRODUCT_NAME }}-"UI" -copyright "${{ env.COPYRIGHT }}" -ver-major ${{ steps.semver_parser.outputs.major }} -ver-minor ${{ steps.semver_parser.outputs.minor }} -ver-patch ${{ steps.semver_parser.outputs.patch }} -ver-build 0 -file-version ${{ steps.semver_parser.outputs.fullversion }}.0 -product-version ${{ steps.semver_parser.outputs.fullversion }}.0 -o client/ui/resources_windows_arm64.syso
 
       - name: Run GoReleaser
-        uses: goreleaser/goreleaser-action@4c6ab561adb47e50c45ef534e2155934e91c40c1 # v7.2.0
+        uses: goreleaser/goreleaser-action@5daf1e915a5f0af01ddbcd89a43b8061ff4f1a89 # v7.2.2
         with:
           version: ${{ env.GORELEASER_VER }}
           args: release --config .goreleaser_ui.yaml --clean ${{ env.flags }}
@@ -464,17 +467,17 @@ jobs:
       - if: ${{ !startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/v') }}
         run: echo "flags=--snapshot" >> $GITHUB_ENV
       - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0 # It is required for GoReleaser to work properly
           persist-credentials: false
       - name: Set up Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
           cache: false
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: |
             ~/go/pkg/mod
@@ -488,7 +491,7 @@ jobs:
         run: git --no-pager diff --exit-code
       - name: Run GoReleaser
         id: goreleaser
-        uses: goreleaser/goreleaser-action@4c6ab561adb47e50c45ef534e2155934e91c40c1 # v7.2.0
+        uses: goreleaser/goreleaser-action@5daf1e915a5f0af01ddbcd89a43b8061ff4f1a89 # v7.2.2
         with:
           version: ${{ env.GORELEASER_VER }}
           args: release --config .goreleaser_ui_darwin.yaml --clean ${{ env.flags }}
@@ -522,7 +525,7 @@ jobs:
       downloadPath: '${{ github.workspace }}\temp'
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
@@ -534,13 +537,13 @@ jobs:
         run: echo "C:\Program Files\7-Zip" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_PATH -Encoding utf8 -Append
 
       - name: Download release artifacts
-        uses: actions/download-artifact@70fc10c6e5e1ce46ad2ea6f2b72d43f7d47b13c3 # v8.0.1
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c # v8.0.1
         with:
           name: release
           path: release
 
       - name: Download UI release artifacts
-        uses: actions/download-artifact@70fc10c6e5e1ce46ad2ea6f2b72d43f7d47b13c3 # v8.0.1
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c # v8.0.1
         with:
           name: release-ui
           path: release-ui

.github/workflows/test-infrastructure-files.yml

@@ -68,17 +68,17 @@ jobs:
         run: sudo apt-get install -y curl
 
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
 
       - name: Cache Go modules
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@2c8a9bd7457de244a408f35966fab2fb45fda9c8 # v6.0.0
         with:
           path: ~/go/pkg/mod
           key: ${{ runner.os }}-go-${{ hashFiles('**/go.sum') }}
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build management docker image
         working-directory: management
         run: |
-          docker build -t netbirdio/management:latest .
+          docker build -t netbirdio/management:latest --build-arg TARGETPLATFORM=. .
 
       - name: Build signal binary
         working-directory: signal
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build signal docker image
         working-directory: signal
         run: |
-          docker build -t netbirdio/signal:latest .
+          docker build -t netbirdio/signal:latest --build-arg TARGETPLATFORM=. .
 
       - name: Build relay binary
         working-directory: relay
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build relay docker image
         working-directory: relay
         run: |
-          docker build -t netbirdio/relay:latest .
+          docker build -t netbirdio/relay:latest --build-arg TARGETPLATFORM=. .
 
       - name: run docker compose up
         working-directory: infrastructure_files/artifacts
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ jobs:
         run: sudo apt-get install -y jq
 
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
 

.github/workflows/wasm-build-validation.yml

@@ -19,11 +19,11 @@ jobs:
       GOARCH: wasm
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
       - name: Install dependencies
@@ -44,11 +44,11 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        uses: actions/checkout@9c091bb21b7c1c1d1991bb908d89e4e9dddfe3e0 # v7.0.0
         with:
           persist-credentials: false
       - name: Install Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@4b73464bb391d4059bd26b0524d20df3927bd417 # v6.3.0
+        uses: actions/setup-go@924ae3a1cded613372ab5595356fb5720e22ba16 # v6.5.0
         with:
           go-version-file: "go.mod"
       - name: Build Wasm client

.gitignore

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+.claude
 .idea
 .run
 *.iml

.goreleaser.yaml

@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ dockers_v2:
        - netbirdio/netbird
        - ghcr.io/netbirdio/netbird
      tags:
-       - "v{{ .Version }}"
+       - "{{ .Version }}"
        - "{{ if eq .Env.SKIP_PUBLISH \"false\" }}latest{{ end }}"
      dockerfile: client/Dockerfile
      extra_files:
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ dockers_v2:
        - netbirdio/relay
        - ghcr.io/netbirdio/relay
      tags:
-       - "v{{ .Version }}"
+       - "{{ .Version }}"
        - "{{ if eq .Env.SKIP_PUBLISH \"false\" }}latest{{ end }}"
      dockerfile: relay/Dockerfile
      platforms:
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ dockers_v2:
        - netbirdio/signal
        - ghcr.io/netbirdio/signal
      tags:
-       - "v{{ .Version }}"
+       - "{{ .Version }}"
        - "{{ if eq .Env.SKIP_PUBLISH \"false\" }}latest{{ end }}"
      dockerfile: signal/Dockerfile
      platforms:
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ dockers_v2:
        - netbirdio/management
        - ghcr.io/netbirdio/management
      tags:
-       - "v{{ .Version }}"
+       - "{{ .Version }}"
        - "{{ if eq .Env.SKIP_PUBLISH \"false\" }}latest{{ end }}"
      dockerfile: management/Dockerfile
      platforms:
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ dockers_v2:
        - netbirdio/upload
        - ghcr.io/netbirdio/upload
      tags:
-       - "v{{ .Version }}"
+       - "{{ .Version }}"
        - "{{ if eq .Env.SKIP_PUBLISH \"false\" }}latest{{ end }}"
      dockerfile: upload-server/Dockerfile
      platforms:
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ dockers_v2:
        - netbirdio/netbird-server
        - ghcr.io/netbirdio/netbird-server
      tags:
-       - "v{{ .Version }}"
+       - "{{ .Version }}"
        - "{{ if eq .Env.SKIP_PUBLISH \"false\" }}latest{{ end }}"
      dockerfile: combined/Dockerfile
      platforms:
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ dockers_v2:
        - netbirdio/reverse-proxy
        - ghcr.io/netbirdio/reverse-proxy
      tags:
-       - "v{{ .Version }}"
+       - "{{ .Version }}"
        - "{{ if eq .Env.SKIP_PUBLISH \"false\" }}latest{{ end }}"
      dockerfile: proxy/Dockerfile
      platforms:
@@ -462,9 +462,13 @@ checksum:
     - glob: ./infrastructure_files/getting-started-with-zitadel.sh
     - glob: ./release_files/install.sh
     - glob: ./infrastructure_files/getting-started.sh
+    - glob: ./infrastructure_files/getting-started-enterprise.sh
+    - glob: ./infrastructure_files/migrate-to-enterprise.sh
 
 release:
   extra_files:
     - glob: ./infrastructure_files/getting-started-with-zitadel.sh
     - glob: ./release_files/install.sh
     - glob: ./infrastructure_files/getting-started.sh
+    - glob: ./infrastructure_files/getting-started-enterprise.sh
+    - glob: ./infrastructure_files/migrate-to-enterprise.sh

Makefile

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.PHONY: lint lint-all lint-install setup-hooks
+.PHONY: lint lint-all lint-install setup-hooks test-unit test-privileged
 GOLANGCI_LINT := $(shell pwd)/bin/golangci-lint
 
 # Install golangci-lint locally if needed
@@ -25,3 +25,15 @@ setup-hooks:
 	@git config core.hooksPath .githooks
 	@chmod +x .githooks/pre-push
 	@echo "✅ Git hooks configured! Pre-push will now run 'make lint'"
+
+# Host-safe unit tests: excludes the privileged-tagged tests (root / system-mutating).
+# Runs as a normal user with no sudo and leaves host networking untouched.
+test-unit:
+	@go test -tags devcert -timeout 10m ./...
+
+# Privileged suite: runs the `privileged`-tagged tests inside a --privileged
+# --cap-add=NET_ADMIN container via the ory/dockertest harness. Requires Docker.
+# Narrow the run with env vars, e.g.:
+#   PRIV_RUN=TestNftablesManager PRIV_PKGS=./client/firewall/nftables/... make test-privileged
+test-privileged:
+	@go test -tags 'devcert privileged' -timeout 30m -run TestRunPrivilegedSuiteInDocker -v ./client/testutil/privileged/...

README.md

@@ -33,10 +33,15 @@
   <br/>
   <br/>
   <strong>
-    🚀 <a href="https://careers.netbird.io">We are hiring! Join us at careers.netbird.io</a>
+    🚀 <a href="https://netbird.io/careers">We are hiring! Join us at https://netbird.io/careers</a>
   </strong>
 </p>
 
+> ### 🤖 NetBird Agent Network (Beta)
+> Identity-aware access control for AI agents — keyless access to LLM APIs and private
+> resources over the encrypted NetBird tunnel. See [`agent-network/`](agent-network/) or
+> read the docs at **[netbird.ai](https://netbird.ai)**.
+
 **NetBird combines a configuration-free peer-to-peer private network and a centralized access control system in a single platform, making it easy to create secure private networks for your organization or home.**
 
 **Connect.** NetBird creates a WireGuard-based overlay network that automatically connects your machines over an encrypted tunnel, leaving behind the hassle of opening ports, complex firewall rules, VPN gateways, and so forth.

agent-network/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# NetBird Agent Network
+
+Agent Network is NetBird's access control layer for AI agents and the people who run
+them. It gives every agent a real identity, tied to your identity provider (IdP), and
+governs what it can reach — the LLM APIs and AI gateways it can call, and the internal
+resources it can access. Traffic flows only over the encrypted NetBird tunnel, scoped by
+policy, with no API keys to leak.
+
+> **Beta.** Agent Network is open source and can be self-hosted on your own
+> infrastructure.
+
+## How it works
+
+Agent Network is built on two existing NetBird capabilities:
+
+- **Overlay network** — the encrypted WireGuard mesh between peers.
+- **Reverse proxy** — a NetBird peer that terminates LLM requests, establishes the
+  caller's identity, evaluates policies/limits/guardrails, injects the upstream provider
+  key server-side, forwards to the API or gateway, and records usage.
+
+LLM traffic is routed through the proxy's identity-aware pipeline, while internal
+resources (databases, internal APIs, self-hosted models) are reached directly over
+peer-to-peer WireGuard tunnels, governed by the same identities and access policies.
+
+## Where the code lives
+
+There is no separate "agent-network" service — it reuses the reverse-proxy and management
+components:
+
+- [`proxy/`](../proxy) — the NetBird reverse proxy that serves the agent network endpoint
+  and runs the per-request middleware pipeline.
+- [`management/internals/modules/reverseproxy/`](../management/internals/modules/reverseproxy)
+  — the management-side control plane: providers, policies, guardrails, limits, routing,
+  and usage/access logs.
+
+## Documentation
+
+Full documentation, architecture, and quickstart:
+**https://docs.netbird.io/agent-network**

client/android/env_list.go

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

client/cmd/debug.go

@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ func debugConfigDump(cmd *cobra.Command, _ []string) error {
 
 	client := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn)
 	resp, err := client.GetConfig(cmd.Context(), &proto.GetConfigRequest{
-		ProfileName: activeProf.Name,
+		ProfileName: string(activeProf.ID),
 		Username:    currUser.Username,
 	})
 	if err != nil {

client/cmd/login.go

@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ func switchProfile(ctx context.Context, handle string, username string) (profile
 		Username:    &username,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("switch profile failed: %v", err)
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("switch profile failed: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	return profilemanager.ID(resp.Id), nil

client/cmd/profile.go

@@ -138,26 +138,23 @@ func addProfileFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	currUser, err := user.Current()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("get current user: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(cmd.Context(), daemonAddr)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("connect to service CLI interface: %w", err)
 	}
 	defer conn.Close()
 
-	currUser, err := user.Current()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("get current user: %w", err)
-	}
-
 	daemonClient := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn)
 	profileName := args[0]
 
-	resp, err := daemonClient.AddProfile(cmd.Context(), &proto.AddProfileRequest{
+	id, err := addProfileOnDaemon(cmd.Context(), daemonClient, profileName, currUser.Username)
-		ProfileName: profileName,
-		Username:    currUser.Username,
-	})
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("add profile request: %w", err)
+		return err
 	}
 
 	dupCount, _ := countProfilesWithName(cmd.Context(), daemonClient, currUser.Username, profileName)
@@ -166,7 +163,6 @@ func addProfileFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		cmd.Println("Use `netbird profile list --show-id` to disambiguate later.")
 	}
 
-	id := profilemanager.ID(resp.Id)
 	cmd.Printf("Profile added: %s  %s\n", id.ShortID(), profilemanager.StripCtrlChars(profileName))
 	return nil
 
@@ -330,3 +326,19 @@ func wrapAmbiguityError(err error, handle string) error {
 	}
 	return err
 }
+
+// addProfileOnDaemon issues the AddProfile RPC on an existing daemon client
+// and returns the new profile's ID. It is the single entry point for profile
+// creation, shared by `netbird profile add` and the `netbird up --profile
+// <name>` auto-create path.
+func addProfileOnDaemon(ctx context.Context, client proto.DaemonServiceClient, profileName, username string) (profilemanager.ID, error) {
+	resp, err := client.AddProfile(ctx, &proto.AddProfileRequest{
+		ProfileName: profileName,
+		Username:    username,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("add profile failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return profilemanager.ID(resp.Id), nil
+}

client/cmd/root.go

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

client/cmd/service_privileged_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,196 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"runtime"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/kardianos/service"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+const (
+	serviceStartTimeout = 10 * time.Second
+	serviceStopTimeout  = 5 * time.Second
+	statusPollInterval  = 500 * time.Millisecond
+)
+
+// waitForServiceStatus waits for service to reach expected status with timeout
+func waitForServiceStatus(expectedStatus service.Status, timeout time.Duration) (bool, error) {
+	cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+
+	ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+
+	s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+
+	ctx, timeoutCancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), timeout)
+	defer timeoutCancel()
+
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(statusPollInterval)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return false, fmt.Errorf("timeout waiting for service status %v", expectedStatus)
+		case <-ticker.C:
+			status, err := s.Status()
+			if err != nil {
+				// Continue polling on transient errors
+				continue
+			}
+			if status == expectedStatus {
+				return true, nil
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// TestServiceLifecycle tests the complete service lifecycle
+func TestServiceLifecycle(t *testing.T) {
+	// TODO: Add support for Windows and macOS
+	if runtime.GOOS != "linux" && runtime.GOOS != "freebsd" {
+		t.Skipf("Skipping service lifecycle test on unsupported OS: %s", runtime.GOOS)
+	}
+
+	if os.Getenv("CONTAINER") == "true" {
+		t.Skip("Skipping service lifecycle test in container environment")
+	}
+
+	originalServiceName := serviceName
+	serviceName = "netbirdtest" + fmt.Sprintf("%d", time.Now().Unix())
+	defer func() {
+		serviceName = originalServiceName
+	}()
+
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	configPath = fmt.Sprintf("%s/netbird-test-config.json", tempDir)
+	logLevel = "info"
+	daemonAddr = fmt.Sprintf("unix://%s/netbird-test.sock", tempDir)
+
+	// Ensure cleanup even if a subtest fails and Stop/Uninstall subtests don't run.
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("cleanup: create service config: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+		ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		defer cancel()
+		s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("cleanup: create service: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+
+		// If the subtests already cleaned up, there's nothing to do.
+		if _, err := s.Status(); err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+
+		if err := s.Stop(); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("cleanup: stop service: %v", err)
+		}
+		if err := s.Uninstall(); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("cleanup: uninstall service: %v", err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	t.Run("Install", func(t *testing.T) {
+		installCmd.SetContext(ctx)
+		err := installCmd.RunE(installCmd, []string{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		defer cancel()
+
+		s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		status, err := s.Status()
+		assert.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.NotEqual(t, service.StatusUnknown, status)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Start", func(t *testing.T) {
+		startCmd.SetContext(ctx)
+		err := startCmd.RunE(startCmd, []string{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		running, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusRunning, serviceStartTimeout)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, running)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Restart", func(t *testing.T) {
+		restartCmd.SetContext(ctx)
+		err := restartCmd.RunE(restartCmd, []string{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		running, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusRunning, serviceStartTimeout)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, running)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Reconfigure", func(t *testing.T) {
+		originalLogLevel := logLevel
+		logLevel = "debug"
+		defer func() {
+			logLevel = originalLogLevel
+		}()
+
+		reconfigureCmd.SetContext(ctx)
+		err := reconfigureCmd.RunE(reconfigureCmd, []string{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		running, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusRunning, serviceStartTimeout)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, running)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Stop", func(t *testing.T) {
+		stopCmd.SetContext(ctx)
+		err := stopCmd.RunE(stopCmd, []string{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		stopped, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusStopped, serviceStopTimeout)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, stopped)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Uninstall", func(t *testing.T) {
+		uninstallCmd.SetContext(ctx)
+		err := uninstallCmd.RunE(uninstallCmd, []string{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		defer cancel()
+
+		s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		_, err = s.Status()
+		assert.Error(t, err)
+	})
+}

client/cmd/service_test.go

@@ -1,16 +1,12 @@
 package cmd
 
 import (
-	"context"
-	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"os/signal"
 	"runtime"
 	"syscall"
 	"testing"
-	"time"
 
-	"github.com/kardianos/service"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -31,186 +27,6 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	os.Exit(m.Run())
 }
 
-const (
-	serviceStartTimeout = 10 * time.Second
-	serviceStopTimeout  = 5 * time.Second
-	statusPollInterval  = 500 * time.Millisecond
-)
-
-// waitForServiceStatus waits for service to reach expected status with timeout
-func waitForServiceStatus(expectedStatus service.Status, timeout time.Duration) (bool, error) {
-	cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
-	if err != nil {
-		return false, err
-	}
-
-	ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-	defer cancel()
-
-	s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
-	if err != nil {
-		return false, err
-	}
-
-	ctx, timeoutCancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), timeout)
-	defer timeoutCancel()
-
-	ticker := time.NewTicker(statusPollInterval)
-	defer ticker.Stop()
-
-	for {
-		select {
-		case <-ctx.Done():
-			return false, fmt.Errorf("timeout waiting for service status %v", expectedStatus)
-		case <-ticker.C:
-			status, err := s.Status()
-			if err != nil {
-				// Continue polling on transient errors
-				continue
-			}
-			if status == expectedStatus {
-				return true, nil
-			}
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-// TestServiceLifecycle tests the complete service lifecycle
-func TestServiceLifecycle(t *testing.T) {
-	// TODO: Add support for Windows and macOS
-	if runtime.GOOS != "linux" && runtime.GOOS != "freebsd" {
-		t.Skipf("Skipping service lifecycle test on unsupported OS: %s", runtime.GOOS)
-	}
-
-	if os.Getenv("CONTAINER") == "true" {
-		t.Skip("Skipping service lifecycle test in container environment")
-	}
-
-	originalServiceName := serviceName
-	serviceName = "netbirdtest" + fmt.Sprintf("%d", time.Now().Unix())
-	defer func() {
-		serviceName = originalServiceName
-	}()
-
-	tempDir := t.TempDir()
-	configPath = fmt.Sprintf("%s/netbird-test-config.json", tempDir)
-	logLevel = "info"
-	daemonAddr = fmt.Sprintf("unix://%s/netbird-test.sock", tempDir)
-
-	// Ensure cleanup even if a subtest fails and Stop/Uninstall subtests don't run.
-	t.Cleanup(func() {
-		cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("cleanup: create service config: %v", err)
-			return
-		}
-		ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-		defer cancel()
-		s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("cleanup: create service: %v", err)
-			return
-		}
-
-		// If the subtests already cleaned up, there's nothing to do.
-		if _, err := s.Status(); err != nil {
-			return
-		}
-
-		if err := s.Stop(); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("cleanup: stop service: %v", err)
-		}
-		if err := s.Uninstall(); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("cleanup: uninstall service: %v", err)
-		}
-	})
-
-	ctx := context.Background()
-
-	t.Run("Install", func(t *testing.T) {
-		installCmd.SetContext(ctx)
-		err := installCmd.RunE(installCmd, []string{})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-		defer cancel()
-
-		s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		status, err := s.Status()
-		assert.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.NotEqual(t, service.StatusUnknown, status)
-	})
-
-	t.Run("Start", func(t *testing.T) {
-		startCmd.SetContext(ctx)
-		err := startCmd.RunE(startCmd, []string{})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		running, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusRunning, serviceStartTimeout)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.True(t, running)
-	})
-
-	t.Run("Restart", func(t *testing.T) {
-		restartCmd.SetContext(ctx)
-		err := restartCmd.RunE(restartCmd, []string{})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		running, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusRunning, serviceStartTimeout)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.True(t, running)
-	})
-
-	t.Run("Reconfigure", func(t *testing.T) {
-		originalLogLevel := logLevel
-		logLevel = "debug"
-		defer func() {
-			logLevel = originalLogLevel
-		}()
-
-		reconfigureCmd.SetContext(ctx)
-		err := reconfigureCmd.RunE(reconfigureCmd, []string{})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		running, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusRunning, serviceStartTimeout)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.True(t, running)
-	})
-
-	t.Run("Stop", func(t *testing.T) {
-		stopCmd.SetContext(ctx)
-		err := stopCmd.RunE(stopCmd, []string{})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		stopped, err := waitForServiceStatus(service.StatusStopped, serviceStopTimeout)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.True(t, stopped)
-	})
-
-	t.Run("Uninstall", func(t *testing.T) {
-		uninstallCmd.SetContext(ctx)
-		err := uninstallCmd.RunE(uninstallCmd, []string{})
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		cfg, err := newSVCConfig()
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		ctxSvc, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-		defer cancel()
-
-		s, err := newSVC(newProgram(ctxSvc, cancel), cfg)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		_, err = s.Status()
-		assert.Error(t, err)
-	})
-}
-
 // TestServiceEnvVars tests environment variable parsing
 func TestServiceEnvVars(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {

client/cmd/status.go

@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ import (
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/status"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
 	nbstatus "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/status"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
@@ -111,11 +110,10 @@ func statusFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	pm := profilemanager.NewProfileManager()
+	// Resolve the active profile's display name via the daemon, which runs
-	var profName string
+	// as root and can read the per-user profile files. The local profile
-	if activeProf, err := pm.GetActiveProfile(); err == nil {
+	// manager only knows the active profile ID, not its display name.
-		profName = activeProf.Name
+	profName := getActiveProfileName(ctx)
-	}
 
 	var outputInformationHolder = nbstatus.ConvertToStatusOutputOverview(resp.GetFullStatus(), nbstatus.ConvertOptions{
 		Anonymize:            anonymizeFlag,
@@ -167,6 +165,25 @@ func getStatus(ctx context.Context, fullPeerStatus bool, shouldRunProbes bool) (
 	return resp, nil
 }
 
+// getActiveProfileName asks the daemon for the active profile's display
+// name. The daemon runs as root and can read the per-user profile files to
+// resolve the ID to its human-readable name. Returns an empty string on any
+// error so status output degrades gracefully.
+func getActiveProfileName(ctx context.Context) string {
+	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(ctx, daemonAddr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+
+	resp, err := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn).GetActiveProfile(ctx, &proto.GetActiveProfileRequest{})
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+
+	return resp.GetProfileName()
+}
+
 func parseFilters() error {
 	switch strings.ToLower(statusFilter) {
 	case "", "idle", "connecting", "connected":

client/cmd/up.go

@@ -128,15 +128,9 @@ func upFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	var profileSwitched bool
 	// switch profile if provided
 	if profileName != "" {
-		resolvedID, err := switchProfile(cmd.Context(), profileName, username.Username)
+		if err := switchOrCreateProfile(cmd.Context(), pm, profileName, username.Username); err != nil {
-		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("switch profile: %v", err)
 		}
-
-		if err := pm.SwitchProfile(resolvedID); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("switch profile: %v", err)
-		}
-
 		profileSwitched = true
 	}
 
@@ -151,6 +145,52 @@ func upFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	return runInDaemonMode(ctx, cmd, pm, activeProf, profileSwitched)
 }
 
+// switchOrCreateProfile switches the active profile to the one identified by
+// handle, creating it first when it does not exist yet. This restores the
+// pre-0.73 behaviour where `netbird up --profile <name>` auto-creates a
+// missing profile instead of failing.
+func switchOrCreateProfile(ctx context.Context, pm *profilemanager.ProfileManager, handle, username string) error {
+	resolvedID, err := switchProfile(ctx, handle, username)
+	if err != nil {
+		st, ok := gstatus.FromError(err)
+		if !ok || st.Code() != codes.NotFound {
+			return err
+		}
+		// Don't fail immediately on a create error: a concurrent run may
+		// have created the profile between the NotFound above and this
+		// call, in which case the retried switch still succeeds. Only
+		// surface the create error if the switch also fails.
+		_, createErr := createProfile(ctx, handle, username)
+		if resolvedID, err = switchProfile(ctx, handle, username); err != nil {
+			if createErr != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("create profile: %w", createErr)
+			}
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
+	if err := pm.SwitchProfile(resolvedID); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// createProfile dials the daemon and creates a new profile with the given
+// display name, returning its generated ID. Use addProfileOnDaemon directly
+// when a daemon client is already available to reuse the connection.
+func createProfile(ctx context.Context, profileName, username string) (profilemanager.ID, error) {
+	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(ctx, daemonAddr)
+	if err != nil {
+		//nolint
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to daemon error: %v\n"+
+			"If the daemon is not running please run: "+
+			"\nnetbird service install \nnetbird service start\n", err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+
+	return addProfileOnDaemon(ctx, proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn), profileName, username)
+}
+
 func runInForegroundMode(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, activeProf *profilemanager.Profile) error {
 	// override the default profile filepath if provided
 	if configPath != "" {
@@ -439,10 +479,6 @@ func setupSetConfigReq(customDNSAddressConverted []byte, cmd *cobra.Command, pro
 		req.DisableIpv6 = &disableIPv6
 	}
 
-	if cmd.Flag(enableLazyConnectionFlag).Changed {
-		req.LazyConnectionEnabled = &lazyConnEnabled
-	}
-
 	return &req
 }
 
@@ -560,9 +596,6 @@ func setupConfig(customDNSAddressConverted []byte, cmd *cobra.Command, configFil
 		ic.DisableIPv6 = &disableIPv6
 	}
 
-	if cmd.Flag(enableLazyConnectionFlag).Changed {
-		ic.LazyConnectionEnabled = &lazyConnEnabled
-	}
 	return &ic, nil
 }
 
@@ -678,9 +711,6 @@ func setupLoginRequest(providedSetupKey string, customDNSAddressConverted []byte
 		loginRequest.DisableIpv6 = &disableIPv6
 	}
 
-	if cmd.Flag(enableLazyConnectionFlag).Changed {
-		loginRequest.LazyConnectionEnabled = &lazyConnEnabled
-	}
 	return &loginRequest, nil
 }
 

client/embed/embed.go

@@ -279,9 +279,11 @@ func (c *Client) Start(startCtx context.Context) error {
 
 	select {
 	case <-startCtx.Done():
-		// Cancel the client context before stopping: Engine.Start blocks on the
+		// ConnectClient.Stop now cancels its own run context and waits for the
-		// signal stream while holding the engine mutex and only unblocks on
+		// run loop to tear the engine down, so this cancel() is no longer
-		// cancellation. Stopping first would deadlock on that mutex.
+		// required to break the deadlock and could be removed. It is kept as a
+		// defensive belt-and-suspenders: cancelling the parent context first
+		// guarantees the run loop is unblocked even if Stop's contract regresses.
 		cancel()
 		if stopErr := client.Stop(); stopErr != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("stop error after context done. Stop error: %w. Context done: %w", stopErr, startCtx.Err())

client/firewall/iptables/manager_linux_test.go

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

client/firewall/iptables/router_linux_test.go

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

client/firewall/nftables/manager_linux_test.go

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

client/firewall/nftables/router_linux_test.go

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

client/iface/configurer/kernel_unix.go

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

client/iface/configurer/stats_cache.go

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

client/iface/configurer/stats_cache_test.go

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

client/iface/configurer/usp.go

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

client/iface/iface_test.go

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

client/iface/wgproxy/bind/proxy.go

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

client/iface/wgproxy/ebpf/wrapper.go

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

client/iface/wgproxy/proxy.go

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

client/iface/wgproxy/proxy_linux_test.go

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

client/iface/wgproxy/proxy_seed_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build !linux
+//go:build !linux || !privileged
 
 package wgproxy
 

client/iface/wgproxy/redirect_test.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build linux && !android
+//go:build linux && !android && privileged
 
 package wgproxy
 
@@ -26,64 +26,6 @@ func compareUDPAddr(addr1, addr2 net.Addr) bool {
 	return udpAddr1.IP.Equal(udpAddr2.IP) && udpAddr1.Port == udpAddr2.Port
 }
 
-// TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv4 tests RedirectAs with eBPF proxy using IPv4 addresses
-func TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv4(t *testing.T) {
-	wgPort := 51850
-	ebpfProxy := ebpf.NewWGEBPFProxy(wgPort, 1280)
-	if err := ebpfProxy.Listen(); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("failed to initialize ebpf proxy: %v", err)
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		if err := ebpfProxy.Free(); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("failed to free ebpf proxy: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	proxy := ebpf.NewProxyWrapper(ebpfProxy)
-
-	// NetBird UDP address of the remote peer
-	nbAddr := &net.UDPAddr{
-		IP:   net.ParseIP("100.108.111.177"),
-		Port: 38746,
-	}
-
-	p2pEndpoint := &net.UDPAddr{
-		IP:   net.ParseIP("192.168.0.56"),
-		Port: 51820,
-	}
-
-	testRedirectAs(t, proxy, wgPort, nbAddr, p2pEndpoint)
-}
-
-// TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv6 tests RedirectAs with eBPF proxy using IPv6 addresses
-func TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv6(t *testing.T) {
-	wgPort := 51851
-	ebpfProxy := ebpf.NewWGEBPFProxy(wgPort, 1280)
-	if err := ebpfProxy.Listen(); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("failed to initialize ebpf proxy: %v", err)
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		if err := ebpfProxy.Free(); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("failed to free ebpf proxy: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	proxy := ebpf.NewProxyWrapper(ebpfProxy)
-
-	// NetBird UDP address of the remote peer
-	nbAddr := &net.UDPAddr{
-		IP:   net.ParseIP("100.108.111.177"),
-		Port: 38746,
-	}
-
-	p2pEndpoint := &net.UDPAddr{
-		IP:   net.ParseIP("fe80::56"),
-		Port: 51820,
-	}
-
-	testRedirectAs(t, proxy, wgPort, nbAddr, p2pEndpoint)
-}
-
 // TestRedirectAs_UDP_IPv4 tests RedirectAs with UDP proxy using IPv4 addresses
 func TestRedirectAs_UDP_IPv4(t *testing.T) {
 	wgPort := 51852
@@ -256,6 +198,64 @@ func testRedirectAs(t *testing.T, proxy Proxy, wgPort int, nbAddr, p2pEndpoint *
 	}
 }
 
+// TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv4 tests RedirectAs with eBPF proxy using IPv4 addresses
+func TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv4(t *testing.T) {
+	wgPort := 51850
+	ebpfProxy := ebpf.NewWGEBPFProxy(wgPort, 1280)
+	if err := ebpfProxy.Listen(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to initialize ebpf proxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := ebpfProxy.Free(); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("failed to free ebpf proxy: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	proxy := ebpf.NewProxyWrapper(ebpfProxy)
+
+	// NetBird UDP address of the remote peer
+	nbAddr := &net.UDPAddr{
+		IP:   net.ParseIP("100.108.111.177"),
+		Port: 38746,
+	}
+
+	p2pEndpoint := &net.UDPAddr{
+		IP:   net.ParseIP("192.168.0.56"),
+		Port: 51820,
+	}
+
+	testRedirectAs(t, proxy, wgPort, nbAddr, p2pEndpoint)
+}
+
+// TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv6 tests RedirectAs with eBPF proxy using IPv6 addresses
+func TestRedirectAs_eBPF_IPv6(t *testing.T) {
+	wgPort := 51851
+	ebpfProxy := ebpf.NewWGEBPFProxy(wgPort, 1280)
+	if err := ebpfProxy.Listen(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to initialize ebpf proxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := ebpfProxy.Free(); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("failed to free ebpf proxy: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	proxy := ebpf.NewProxyWrapper(ebpfProxy)
+
+	// NetBird UDP address of the remote peer
+	nbAddr := &net.UDPAddr{
+		IP:   net.ParseIP("100.108.111.177"),
+		Port: 38746,
+	}
+
+	p2pEndpoint := &net.UDPAddr{
+		IP:   net.ParseIP("fe80::56"),
+		Port: 51820,
+	}
+
+	testRedirectAs(t, proxy, wgPort, nbAddr, p2pEndpoint)
+}
+
 // TestRedirectAs_Multiple_Switches tests switching between multiple endpoints
 func TestRedirectAs_Multiple_Switches(t *testing.T) {
 	wgPort := 51856

client/iface/wgproxy/udp/proxy.go

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

client/internal/acl/manager.go

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

client/internal/acl/manager_test.go

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

client/internal/auth/auth.go

@@ -322,7 +322,6 @@ func (a *Auth) setSystemInfoFlags(info *system.Info) {
 		a.config.BlockLANAccess,
 		a.config.BlockInbound,
 		a.config.DisableIPv6,
-		a.config.LazyConnectionEnabled,
 		a.config.EnableSSHRoot,
 		a.config.EnableSSHSFTP,
 		a.config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding,

client/internal/conn_mgr.go

@@ -16,6 +16,16 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
 )
 
+// lazyForce is the resolved local decision for lazy connections, layered above the
+// management feature flag. lazyForceNone defers to management.
+type lazyForce int
+
+const (
+	lazyForceNone lazyForce = iota
+	lazyForceOn
+	lazyForceOff
+)
+
 // ConnMgr coordinates both lazy connections (established on-demand) and permanent peer connections.
 //
 // The connection manager is responsible for:
@@ -28,7 +38,7 @@ type ConnMgr struct {
 	peerStore        *peerstore.Store
 	statusRecorder   *peer.Status
 	iface            lazyconn.WGIface
-	enabledLocally   bool
+	force            lazyForce
 	rosenpassEnabled bool
 
 	lazyConnMgr *manager.Manager
@@ -43,28 +53,34 @@ func NewConnMgr(engineConfig *EngineConfig, statusRecorder *peer.Status, peerSto
 		peerStore:        peerStore,
 		statusRecorder:   statusRecorder,
 		iface:            iface,
+		force:            resolveLazyForce(engineConfig.LazyConnection),
 		rosenpassEnabled: engineConfig.RosenpassEnabled,
 	}
-	if engineConfig.LazyConnectionEnabled || lazyconn.IsLazyConnEnabledByEnv() {
-		e.enabledLocally = true
-	}
 	return e
 }
 
-// Start initializes the connection manager and starts the lazy connection manager if enabled by env var or cmd line option.
+// Start initializes the connection manager. It starts the lazy connection manager when a
+// local override forces it on; with no local override it waits for the management feature flag.
 func (e *ConnMgr) Start(ctx context.Context) {
 	if e.lazyConnMgr != nil {
 		log.Errorf("lazy connection manager is already started")
 		return
 	}
 
-	if !e.enabledLocally {
+	switch e.force {
-		log.Infof("lazy connection manager is disabled")
+	case lazyForceOff:
+		log.Infof("lazy connection manager is disabled by local override (%s or MDM policy)", lazyconn.EnvLazyConn)
+		e.statusRecorder.UpdateLazyConnection(false)
+		return
+	case lazyForceNone:
+		log.Infof("lazy connection manager is managed by the management feature flag")
+		e.statusRecorder.UpdateLazyConnection(false)
 		return
 	}
 
 	if e.rosenpassEnabled {
 		log.Warnf("rosenpass connection manager is enabled, lazy connection manager will not be started")
+		e.statusRecorder.UpdateLazyConnection(false)
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -76,8 +92,8 @@ func (e *ConnMgr) Start(ctx context.Context) {
 // If enabled, it initializes the lazy connection manager and start it. Do not need to call Start() again.
 // If disabled, then it closes the lazy connection manager and open the connections to all peers.
 func (e *ConnMgr) UpdatedRemoteFeatureFlag(ctx context.Context, enabled bool) error {
-	// do not disable lazy connection manager if it was enabled by env var
+	// a local override (NB_LAZY_CONN or local config) takes precedence over management
-	if e.enabledLocally {
+	if e.force != lazyForceNone {
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -89,6 +105,7 @@ func (e *ConnMgr) UpdatedRemoteFeatureFlag(ctx context.Context, enabled bool) er
 
 		if e.rosenpassEnabled {
 			log.Infof("rosenpass connection manager is enabled, lazy connection manager will not be started")
+			e.statusRecorder.UpdateLazyConnection(false)
 			return nil
 		}
 
@@ -98,6 +115,7 @@ func (e *ConnMgr) UpdatedRemoteFeatureFlag(ctx context.Context, enabled bool) er
 		return e.addPeersToLazyConnManager()
 	} else {
 		if e.lazyConnMgr == nil {
+			e.statusRecorder.UpdateLazyConnection(false)
 			return nil
 		}
 		log.Infof("lazy connection manager is disabled by management feature flag")
@@ -309,6 +327,25 @@ func (e *ConnMgr) isStartedWithLazyMgr() bool {
 	return e.lazyConnMgr != nil && e.lazyCtxCancel != nil
 }
 
+// resolveLazyForce determines the local override. NB_LAZY_CONN takes precedence; when it
+// is unset the MDM policy override (mdmState) applies. Either wins in both directions over
+// the management feature flag; StateUnset for both defers to management.
+func resolveLazyForce(mdmState lazyconn.State) lazyForce {
+	state := lazyconn.EnvState()
+	if state == lazyconn.StateUnset {
+		state = mdmState
+	}
+
+	switch state {
+	case lazyconn.StateOn:
+		return lazyForceOn
+	case lazyconn.StateOff:
+		return lazyForceOff
+	default:
+		return lazyForceNone
+	}
+}
+
 func inactivityThresholdEnv() *time.Duration {
 	envValue := os.Getenv(lazyconn.EnvInactivityThreshold)
 	if envValue == "" {

client/internal/conn_mgr_test.go

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

client/internal/connect.go

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"runtime/debug"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/cenkalti/backoff/v4"
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/netstack"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/lazyconn"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/listener"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/metrics"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
@@ -54,6 +56,10 @@ var androidRunOverride func(c *ConnectClient, runningChan chan struct{}, logPath
 
 type ConnectClient struct {
 	ctx            context.Context
+	runCancel      context.CancelFunc
+	runExited      chan struct{}
+	runOnce        sync.Once
+	runStarted     atomic.Bool
 	config         *profilemanager.Config
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status
 
@@ -70,8 +76,14 @@ func NewConnectClient(
 	config *profilemanager.Config,
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status,
 ) *ConnectClient {
+	// Derive the run context here so Stop owns the cancel that unblocks the run
+	// loop. runCancel is set once at construction, so Stop can call it without
+	// racing the run loop's startup. Callers therefore need not cancel before Stop.
+	runCtx, runCancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
 	return &ConnectClient{
-		ctx:            ctx,
+		ctx:            runCtx,
+		runCancel:      runCancel,
+		runExited:      make(chan struct{}),
 		config:         config,
 		statusRecorder: statusRecorder,
 		engineMutex:    sync.Mutex{},
@@ -135,6 +147,11 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) RunOniOS(
 }
 
 func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan struct{}, logPath string) error {
+	// Mark the loop as started and signal exit on return so Stop can wait for
+	// the loop to finish (and skip the wait if the loop never ran).
+	c.runStarted.Store(true)
+	defer c.runOnce.Do(func() { close(c.runExited) })
+
 	defer func() {
 		if r := recover(); r != nil {
 			rec := c.statusRecorder
@@ -290,7 +307,7 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 			log.Debug(err)
 			if s, ok := gstatus.FromError(err); ok && (s.Code() == codes.PermissionDenied) {
 				state.Set(StatusNeedsLogin)
-				_ = c.Stop()
+				c.runCancel()
 				return backoff.Permanent(wrapErr(err)) // unrecoverable error
 			}
 			return wrapErr(err)
@@ -298,6 +315,10 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 		c.clientMetrics.RecordLoginDuration(engineCtx, time.Since(loginStarted), true)
 		c.statusRecorder.MarkManagementConnected()
 
+		if metricsConfig := loginResp.GetNetbirdConfig().GetMetrics(); metricsConfig != nil {
+			c.clientMetrics.UpdatePushFromMgm(c.ctx, metricsConfig.GetEnabled())
+		}
+
 		localPeerState := peer.LocalPeerState{
 			IP:              loginResp.GetPeerConfig().GetAddress(),
 			PubKey:          myPrivateKey.PublicKey().String(),
@@ -383,6 +404,7 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 			StateManager:   stateManager,
 			UpdateManager:  c.updateManager,
 			ClientMetrics:  c.clientMetrics,
+			MetricsCtx:     c.ctx,
 		}, mobileDependency)
 		engine.SetSyncResponsePersistence(c.persistSyncResponse)
 		c.engine = engine
@@ -410,14 +432,10 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 		c.engine = nil
 		c.engineMutex.Unlock()
 
-		// todo: consider to remove this condition. Is not thread safe.
+		log.Infof("ensuring wg interface is removed, Netbird engine context cancelled")
-		// We should always call Stop(), but we need to verify that it is idempotent
-		if engine.wgInterface != nil {
-			log.Infof("ensuring %s is removed, Netbird engine context cancelled", engine.wgInterface.Name())
 
-			if err := engine.Stop(); err != nil {
+		if err := engine.Stop(); err != nil {
-				log.Errorf("Failed to stop engine: %v", err)
+			log.Errorf("Failed to stop engine: %v", err)
-			}
 		}
 		c.statusRecorder.ClientTeardown()
 
@@ -433,12 +451,12 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 	}
 
 	c.statusRecorder.ClientStart()
-	err = backoff.Retry(operation, backOff)
+	err = backoff.Retry(operation, backoff.WithContext(backOff, c.ctx))
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Debugf("exiting client retry loop due to unrecoverable error: %s", err)
 		if s, ok := gstatus.FromError(err); ok && (s.Code() == codes.PermissionDenied) {
 			state.Set(StatusNeedsLogin)
-			_ = c.Stop()
+			c.runCancel()
 		}
 		return err
 	}
@@ -516,11 +534,9 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) Status() StatusType {
 }
 
 func (c *ConnectClient) Stop() error {
-	engine := c.Engine()
+	c.runCancel()
-	if engine != nil {
+	if c.runStarted.Load() {
-		if err := engine.Stop(); err != nil {
+		<-c.runExited
-			return fmt.Errorf("stop engine: %w", err)
-		}
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -586,7 +602,7 @@ func createEngineConfig(key wgtypes.Key, config *profilemanager.Config, peerConf
 		BlockInbound:        config.BlockInbound,
 		DisableIPv6:         config.DisableIPv6,
 
-		LazyConnectionEnabled: config.LazyConnectionEnabled,
+		LazyConnection: lazyconn.ParseState(config.LazyConnection),
 
 		MTU:     selectMTU(config.MTU, peerConfig.Mtu),
 		LogPath: logPath,
@@ -660,7 +676,6 @@ func loginToManagement(ctx context.Context, client mgm.Client, pubSSHKey []byte,
 		config.BlockLANAccess,
 		config.BlockInbound,
 		config.DisableIPv6,
-		config.LazyConnectionEnabled,
 		config.EnableSSHRoot,
 		config.EnableSSHSFTP,
 		config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding,

client/internal/debug/debug.go

@@ -681,7 +681,7 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) addCommonConfigFields(configContent *strings.Builder)
 		configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("ClientCertKeyPath: %s\n", g.internalConfig.ClientCertKeyPath))
 	}
 
-	configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("LazyConnectionEnabled: %v\n", g.internalConfig.LazyConnectionEnabled))
+	configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("LazyConnection: %q\n", g.internalConfig.LazyConnection))
 	configContent.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("MTU: %d\n", g.internalConfig.MTU))
 }
 

client/internal/debug/debug_test.go

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

client/internal/dns/mgmt/mgmt.go

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

client/internal/dns/mgmt/mgmt_refresh_test.go

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

client/internal/dns/mgmt/mgmt_resolve_test.go

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

client/internal/dns/resutil/resolve.go

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
+	"slices"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
@@ -167,7 +168,10 @@ func getRcodeForNotFound(ctx context.Context, r resolver, domain string, origina
 	case dns.TypeA:
 		alternativeNetwork = "ip6"
 	default:
-		return dns.RcodeNameError
+		// Non-address types reach LookupIP only unexpectedly; without an
+		// address pair to probe we cannot prove the name is absent, so answer
+		// NODATA rather than a poisoning NXDOMAIN.
+		return dns.RcodeSuccess
 	}
 
 	if _, err := r.LookupNetIP(ctx, alternativeNetwork, domain); err != nil {
@@ -184,6 +188,230 @@ func getRcodeForNotFound(ctx context.Context, r resolver, domain string, origina
 	return dns.RcodeSuccess
 }
 
+// RecordResolver is the host resolver surface used to forward non-address
+// record queries. net.DefaultResolver satisfies it.
+type RecordResolver interface {
+	LookupMX(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]*net.MX, error)
+	LookupTXT(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]string, error)
+	LookupNS(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]*net.NS, error)
+	LookupSRV(ctx context.Context, service, proto, name string) (string, []*net.SRV, error)
+	LookupCNAME(ctx context.Context, host string) (string, error)
+	LookupAddr(ctx context.Context, addr string) ([]string, error)
+}
+
+// LookupRecords resolves a non-address DNS record type through the host
+// resolver and returns the resource records and the DNS rcode. Types the host
+// resolver cannot answer (anything not covered by the net.Resolver Lookup*
+// methods) yield NODATA so that a routed name is never poisoned with NXDOMAIN
+// for an unsupported type.
+func LookupRecords(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name string, qtype uint16, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	fqdn := dns.Fqdn(name)
+
+	switch qtype {
+	case dns.TypeMX:
+		return lookupMX(ctx, r, name, fqdn, ttl)
+	case dns.TypeTXT:
+		return lookupTXT(ctx, r, name, fqdn, ttl)
+	case dns.TypeNS:
+		return lookupNS(ctx, r, name, fqdn, ttl)
+	case dns.TypeSRV:
+		return lookupSRV(ctx, r, name, fqdn, ttl)
+	case dns.TypeCNAME:
+		return lookupCNAME(ctx, r, name, fqdn, ttl)
+	case dns.TypePTR:
+		return lookupPTR(ctx, r, name, fqdn, ttl)
+	default:
+		return nil, dns.RcodeSuccess
+	}
+}
+
+func recordHeader(fqdn string, rrtype uint16, ttl uint32) dns.RR_Header {
+	return dns.RR_Header{Name: fqdn, Rrtype: rrtype, Class: dns.ClassINET, Ttl: ttl}
+}
+
+func lookupMX(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name, fqdn string, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	recs, err := r.LookupMX(ctx, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, rcodeForRecordError(err)
+	}
+	rrs := make([]dns.RR, 0, len(recs))
+	for _, mx := range recs {
+		rrs = append(rrs, &dns.MX{
+			Hdr:        recordHeader(fqdn, dns.TypeMX, ttl),
+			Preference: mx.Pref,
+			Mx:         dns.Fqdn(mx.Host),
+		})
+	}
+	return rrs, dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+func lookupTXT(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name, fqdn string, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	recs, err := r.LookupTXT(ctx, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, rcodeForRecordError(err)
+	}
+	rrs := make([]dns.RR, 0, len(recs))
+	for _, txt := range recs {
+		rrs = append(rrs, &dns.TXT{
+			Hdr: recordHeader(fqdn, dns.TypeTXT, ttl),
+			Txt: chunkTXT(txt),
+		})
+	}
+	return rrs, dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+func lookupNS(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name, fqdn string, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	recs, err := r.LookupNS(ctx, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, rcodeForRecordError(err)
+	}
+	rrs := make([]dns.RR, 0, len(recs))
+	for _, ns := range recs {
+		rrs = append(rrs, &dns.NS{
+			Hdr: recordHeader(fqdn, dns.TypeNS, ttl),
+			Ns:  dns.Fqdn(ns.Host),
+		})
+	}
+	return rrs, dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+func lookupSRV(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name, fqdn string, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	_, recs, err := r.LookupSRV(ctx, "", "", name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, rcodeForRecordError(err)
+	}
+	rrs := make([]dns.RR, 0, len(recs))
+	for _, srv := range recs {
+		rrs = append(rrs, &dns.SRV{
+			Hdr:      recordHeader(fqdn, dns.TypeSRV, ttl),
+			Priority: srv.Priority,
+			Weight:   srv.Weight,
+			Port:     srv.Port,
+			Target:   dns.Fqdn(srv.Target),
+		})
+	}
+	return rrs, dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+func lookupCNAME(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name, fqdn string, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	cname, err := r.LookupCNAME(ctx, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, rcodeForRecordError(err)
+	}
+	// LookupCNAME returns the queried name itself when the name resolves but
+	// has no CNAME record; that is a NODATA result, not a CNAME.
+	if strings.EqualFold(dns.Fqdn(cname), fqdn) {
+		return nil, dns.RcodeSuccess
+	}
+	return []dns.RR{&dns.CNAME{
+		Hdr:    recordHeader(fqdn, dns.TypeCNAME, ttl),
+		Target: dns.Fqdn(cname),
+	}}, dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+func lookupPTR(ctx context.Context, r RecordResolver, name, fqdn string, ttl uint32) ([]dns.RR, int) {
+	addr, ok := ptrQueryAddr(name)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, dns.RcodeSuccess
+	}
+	names, err := r.LookupAddr(ctx, addr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, rcodeForRecordError(err)
+	}
+	rrs := make([]dns.RR, 0, len(names))
+	for _, n := range names {
+		rrs = append(rrs, &dns.PTR{
+			Hdr: recordHeader(fqdn, dns.TypePTR, ttl),
+			Ptr: dns.Fqdn(n),
+		})
+	}
+	return rrs, dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+// ptrQueryAddr converts a reverse-DNS query name (in-addr.arpa or ip6.arpa)
+// into the address string expected by net.Resolver.LookupAddr. It reports false
+// when the name is not a well-formed reverse name.
+func ptrQueryAddr(qname string) (string, bool) {
+	name := strings.TrimSuffix(strings.ToLower(dns.Fqdn(qname)), ".")
+
+	switch {
+	case strings.HasSuffix(name, ".in-addr.arpa"):
+		return parseInAddrArpa(strings.TrimSuffix(name, ".in-addr.arpa"))
+	case strings.HasSuffix(name, ".ip6.arpa"):
+		return parseIP6Arpa(strings.TrimSuffix(name, ".ip6.arpa"))
+	default:
+		return "", false
+	}
+}
+
+// parseInAddrArpa turns the label portion of an in-addr.arpa name into an IPv4
+// address string, reporting false when it is not a well-formed reverse name.
+func parseInAddrArpa(labelPart string) (string, bool) {
+	labels := strings.Split(labelPart, ".")
+	if len(labels) != 4 {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	slices.Reverse(labels)
+	addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(strings.Join(labels, "."))
+	if err != nil || !addr.Is4() {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	return addr.String(), true
+}
+
+// parseIP6Arpa turns the nibble portion of an ip6.arpa name into an IPv6
+// address string, reporting false when it is not a well-formed reverse name.
+func parseIP6Arpa(nibblePart string) (string, bool) {
+	nibbles := strings.Split(nibblePart, ".")
+	if len(nibbles) != 32 {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	slices.Reverse(nibbles)
+	var sb strings.Builder
+	for i, n := range nibbles {
+		if i > 0 && i%4 == 0 {
+			sb.WriteByte(':')
+		}
+		sb.WriteString(n)
+	}
+	addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(sb.String())
+	if err != nil || !addr.Is6() {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	return addr.String(), true
+}
+
+// rcodeForRecordError maps a non-address lookup error to a DNS rcode. A
+// not-found result becomes NODATA rather than NXDOMAIN: net.DNSError.IsNotFound
+// does not distinguish a missing name from a name that exists only with records
+// of other types, so the name cannot be proven absent and must not be poisoned.
+func rcodeForRecordError(err error) int {
+	var dnsErr *net.DNSError
+	if errors.As(err, &dnsErr) && dnsErr.IsNotFound {
+		return dns.RcodeSuccess
+	}
+	return dns.RcodeServerFailure
+}
+
+// chunkTXT splits a TXT string into character-strings no longer than 255 bytes
+// so the record can be packed. The chunks form one TXT resource record.
+func chunkTXT(s string) []string {
+	const maxLen = 255
+	if len(s) <= maxLen {
+		return []string{s}
+	}
+
+	var chunks []string
+	for len(s) > maxLen {
+		chunks = append(chunks, s[:maxLen])
+		s = s[maxLen:]
+	}
+	if len(s) > 0 {
+		chunks = append(chunks, s)
+	}
+	return chunks
+}
+
 // FormatAnswers formats DNS resource records for logging.
 func FormatAnswers(answers []dns.RR) string {
 	if len(answers) == 0 {
@@ -207,3 +435,35 @@ func FormatAnswers(answers []dns.RR) string {
 	}
 	return "[" + strings.Join(parts, ", ") + "]"
 }
+
+// StripOPT removes any OPT pseudo-RRs from the message's Extra section. Per
+// RFC 6891 a responder must not include an OPT RR toward a client that did not
+// advertise EDNS0.
+func StripOPT(msg *dns.Msg) {
+	if len(msg.Extra) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	out := msg.Extra[:0]
+	for _, rr := range msg.Extra {
+		if _, ok := rr.(*dns.OPT); ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, rr)
+	}
+	msg.Extra = out
+}
+
+// ExtractEDE returns the first Extended DNS Error (RFC 8914) option carried in
+// the message, if present.
+func ExtractEDE(msg *dns.Msg) (*dns.EDNS0_EDE, bool) {
+	opt := msg.IsEdns0()
+	if opt == nil {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+	for _, o := range opt.Option {
+		if ede, ok := o.(*dns.EDNS0_EDE); ok {
+			return ede, true
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, false
+}

client/internal/dns/resutil/resolve_test.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
@@ -120,3 +121,200 @@ func TestLookupIP_DNSErrorNotIsNotFound(t *testing.T) {
 
 	assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeServerFailure, result.Rcode, "upstream failure should map to SERVFAIL")
 }
+
+func TestPtrQueryAddr(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		qname  string
+		want   string
+		wantOK bool
+	}{
+		{name: "ipv4", qname: "4.3.2.1.in-addr.arpa.", want: "1.2.3.4", wantOK: true},
+		{name: "ipv4 no trailing dot", qname: "1.0.0.127.in-addr.arpa", want: "127.0.0.1", wantOK: true},
+		{
+			name:   "ipv6",
+			qname:  "1.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.8.b.d.0.1.0.0.2.ip6.arpa.",
+			want:   "2001:db8::1",
+			wantOK: true,
+		},
+		{name: "ipv4 wrong label count", qname: "2.1.in-addr.arpa.", wantOK: false},
+		{name: "ipv6 wrong nibble count", qname: "1.0.ip6.arpa.", wantOK: false},
+		{name: "not a reverse name", qname: "example.com.", wantOK: false},
+		{name: "ipv4 bad octet", qname: "4.3.2.999.in-addr.arpa.", wantOK: false},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got, ok := ptrQueryAddr(tt.qname)
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.wantOK, ok, "parse success mismatch")
+			if tt.wantOK {
+				assert.Equal(t, tt.want, got, "parsed address mismatch")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+type mockRecordResolver struct {
+	mx    []*net.MX
+	txt   []string
+	ns    []*net.NS
+	srv   []*net.SRV
+	cname string
+	ptr   []string
+	err   error
+}
+
+func (m *mockRecordResolver) LookupMX(context.Context, string) ([]*net.MX, error) {
+	return m.mx, m.err
+}
+func (m *mockRecordResolver) LookupTXT(context.Context, string) ([]string, error) {
+	return m.txt, m.err
+}
+func (m *mockRecordResolver) LookupNS(context.Context, string) ([]*net.NS, error) {
+	return m.ns, m.err
+}
+func (m *mockRecordResolver) LookupSRV(context.Context, string, string, string) (string, []*net.SRV, error) {
+	return "", m.srv, m.err
+}
+func (m *mockRecordResolver) LookupCNAME(context.Context, string) (string, error) {
+	return m.cname, m.err
+}
+func (m *mockRecordResolver) LookupAddr(context.Context, string) ([]string, error) {
+	return m.ptr, m.err
+}
+
+func TestLookupRecords(t *testing.T) {
+	notFound := &net.DNSError{IsNotFound: true, Name: "example.com."}
+
+	t.Run("MX success", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{mx: []*net.MX{{Host: "mail.example.com.", Pref: 10}}}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeMX, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		assert.Equal(t, "mail.example.com.", rrs[0].(*dns.MX).Mx)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("TXT short string is one character-string", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{txt: []string{"v=spf1 -all"}}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeTXT, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		assert.Equal(t, []string{"v=spf1 -all"}, rrs[0].(*dns.TXT).Txt)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("TXT chunks long strings", func(t *testing.T) {
+		long := strings.Repeat("a", 300)
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{txt: []string{long}}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeTXT, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		txt := rrs[0].(*dns.TXT).Txt
+		require.Len(t, txt, 2, "300-byte string should split into two character-strings")
+		assert.Equal(t, 255, len(txt[0]))
+		assert.Equal(t, 45, len(txt[1]))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("NS success", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{ns: []*net.NS{{Host: "ns1.example.com."}}}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeNS, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		assert.Equal(t, "ns1.example.com.", rrs[0].(*dns.NS).Ns)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("SRV success", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{srv: []*net.SRV{{Target: "sip.example.com.", Port: 5060}}}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "_sip._tcp.example.com.", dns.TypeSRV, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		assert.Equal(t, uint16(5060), rrs[0].(*dns.SRV).Port)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CNAME success", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{cname: "target.example.com."}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "www.example.com.", dns.TypeCNAME, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		assert.Equal(t, "target.example.com.", rrs[0].(*dns.CNAME).Target)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CNAME equal to name is NODATA", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{cname: "example.com."}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeCNAME, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		assert.Empty(t, rrs, "self-referential CNAME is NODATA")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("PTR success", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{ptr: []string{"host.example.com."}}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "4.3.2.1.in-addr.arpa.", dns.TypePTR, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		require.Len(t, rrs, 1)
+		assert.Equal(t, "host.example.com.", rrs[0].(*dns.PTR).Ptr)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("PTR malformed name is NODATA", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypePTR, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		assert.Empty(t, rrs)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("not found is NODATA never NXDOMAIN", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{err: notFound}
+		_, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeMX, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode, "missing record must not poison the name")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("server failure maps to SERVFAIL", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{err: &net.DNSError{Err: "server misbehaving", IsTemporary: true}}
+		_, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeMX, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeServerFailure, rcode)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("unsupported type is NODATA", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := &mockRecordResolver{}
+		rrs, rcode := LookupRecords(context.Background(), r, "example.com.", dns.TypeCAA, 300)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, rcode)
+		assert.Empty(t, rrs)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestStripOPT(t *testing.T) {
+	rm := &dns.Msg{
+		Extra: []dns.RR{
+			&dns.OPT{Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: ".", Rrtype: dns.TypeOPT}},
+			&dns.A{Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: "x.", Rrtype: dns.TypeA}, A: net.IPv4(1, 2, 3, 4)},
+		},
+	}
+	StripOPT(rm)
+	assert.Len(t, rm.Extra, 1, "OPT should be removed, A kept")
+	_, isOPT := rm.Extra[0].(*dns.OPT)
+	assert.False(t, isOPT, "remaining record must not be OPT")
+}
+
+func TestExtractEDE(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("no edns", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, ok := ExtractEDE(&dns.Msg{})
+		assert.False(t, ok, "message without OPT has no EDE")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("edns without ede", func(t *testing.T) {
+		rm := &dns.Msg{}
+		rm.SetEdns0(4096, false)
+		_, ok := ExtractEDE(rm)
+		assert.False(t, ok, "OPT without EDE option returns false")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("with ede", func(t *testing.T) {
+		rm := &dns.Msg{}
+		opt := &dns.OPT{Hdr: dns.RR_Header{Name: ".", Rrtype: dns.TypeOPT}}
+		opt.Option = append(opt.Option, &dns.EDNS0_EDE{InfoCode: 49152, ExtraText: "upstream timeout"})
+		rm.Extra = append(rm.Extra, opt)
+
+		ede, ok := ExtractEDE(rm)
+		assert.True(t, ok, "EDE option should be found")
+		assert.Equal(t, uint16(49152), ede.InfoCode)
+		assert.Equal(t, "upstream timeout", ede.ExtraText)
+	})
+}

client/internal/dns/server.go

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

client/internal/dns/server_privileged_test.go

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

client/internal/dns/server_test.go

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

client/internal/dns/upstream.go

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

client/internal/dns/upstream_test.go

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

client/internal/dnsfwd/forwarder.go

@@ -26,8 +26,23 @@ import (
 const errResolveFailed = "failed to resolve query for domain=%s: %v"
 const upstreamTimeout = 15 * time.Second
 
+// EDE info codes the forwarder emits on upstream failures so the querying
+// client can see the reason without inspecting this peer's logs. They live in
+// the RFC 8914 Private Use range (49152-65535); the Go resolver never exposes a
+// real upstream EDE here, so these cannot collide with a genuine code.
+const (
+	edeNetbirdUpstreamTimeout uint16 = 49152
+	edeNetbirdUpstreamFailure uint16 = 49153
+)
+
 type resolver interface {
 	LookupNetIP(ctx context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error)
+	LookupMX(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]*net.MX, error)
+	LookupTXT(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]string, error)
+	LookupNS(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]*net.NS, error)
+	LookupSRV(ctx context.Context, service, proto, name string) (string, []*net.SRV, error)
+	LookupCNAME(ctx context.Context, host string) (string, error)
+	LookupAddr(ctx context.Context, addr string) ([]string, error)
 }
 
 type firewaller interface {
@@ -201,12 +216,6 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQuery(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, q
 		qname, dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype], dns.ClassToString[question.Qclass])
 
 	resp := query.SetReply(query)
-	network := resutil.NetworkForQtype(question.Qtype)
-	if network == "" {
-		resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeNotImplemented
-		f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, qname, startTime)
-		return
-	}
 
 	mostSpecificResId, matchingEntries := f.getMatchingEntries(strings.TrimSuffix(qname, "."))
 	if mostSpecificResId == "" {
@@ -218,9 +227,46 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQuery(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, q
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), upstreamTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
+	reqHasEdns := query.IsEdns0() != nil
+
+	switch question.Qtype {
+	case dns.TypeA, dns.TypeAAAA:
+		f.handleAddressQuery(ctx, logger, w, resp, mostSpecificResId, matchingEntries, reqHasEdns, startTime)
+	case dns.TypeMX, dns.TypeTXT, dns.TypeNS, dns.TypeSRV, dns.TypeCNAME, dns.TypePTR:
+		f.handleRecordQuery(ctx, logger, w, resp, startTime)
+	default:
+		// The domain is routed here, so any other type is answered NODATA
+		// (NOERROR, empty answer) rather than falling back to a resolver that
+		// would poison the name with NXDOMAIN. The Extended DNS Error lets a
+		// client tell this capability-driven NODATA apart from an
+		// authoritative one. The OPT pseudo-record must not appear unless the
+		// query advertised EDNS0.
+		if reqHasEdns {
+			attachEDE(resp, dns.ExtendedErrorCodeNotSupported, "netbird forwarder: unsupported query type")
+		}
+		f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, qname, startTime)
+	}
+}
+
+// handleAddressQuery resolves A/AAAA queries, programs the firewall sets and
+// resolved-IP state, and caches the answer for resilience on upstream failure.
+func (f *DNSForwarder) handleAddressQuery(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	logger *log.Entry,
+	w dns.ResponseWriter,
+	resp *dns.Msg,
+	mostSpecificResId route.ResID,
+	matchingEntries []*ForwarderEntry,
+	reqHasEdns bool,
+	startTime time.Time,
+) {
+	question := resp.Question[0]
+	qname := strings.ToLower(question.Name)
+
+	network := resutil.NetworkForQtype(question.Qtype)
 	result := resutil.LookupIP(ctx, f.resolver, network, qname, question.Qtype)
 	if result.Err != nil {
-		f.handleDNSError(ctx, logger, w, question, resp, qname, result, startTime)
+		f.handleDNSError(ctx, logger, w, question, resp, qname, result, reqHasEdns, startTime)
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -231,6 +277,25 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQuery(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, q
 	f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, qname, startTime)
 }
 
+// handleRecordQuery resolves non-address record types (MX, TXT, NS, SRV,
+// CNAME, PTR) through the host resolver. Missing records are answered NODATA so
+// the routed name is never poisoned with NXDOMAIN.
+func (f *DNSForwarder) handleRecordQuery(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	logger *log.Entry,
+	w dns.ResponseWriter,
+	resp *dns.Msg,
+	startTime time.Time,
+) {
+	question := resp.Question[0]
+	qname := strings.ToLower(question.Name)
+
+	records, rcode := resutil.LookupRecords(ctx, f.resolver, qname, question.Qtype, f.ttl)
+	resp.Rcode = rcode
+	resp.Answer = append(resp.Answer, records...)
+	f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, qname, startTime)
+}
+
 func (f *DNSForwarder) writeResponse(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, resp *dns.Msg, qname string, startTime time.Time) {
 	if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
 		logger.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
@@ -333,6 +398,7 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSError(
 	resp *dns.Msg,
 	domain string,
 	result resutil.LookupResult,
+	reqHasEdns bool,
 	startTime time.Time,
 ) {
 	qType := question.Qtype
@@ -374,6 +440,10 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSError(
 		logger.Warnf(errResolveFailed, domain, result.Err)
 	}
 
+	if reqHasEdns {
+		attachEDE(resp, edeCodeFor(dnsErr), edeText(dnsErr))
+	}
+
 	f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, domain, startTime)
 }
 
@@ -414,3 +484,33 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) getMatchingEntries(domain string) (route.ResID, []*Forwar
 
 	return selectedResId, matches
 }
+
+// edeCodeFor maps an upstream lookup error to the NetBird EDE info code.
+func edeCodeFor(dnsErr *net.DNSError) uint16 {
+	if dnsErr != nil && dnsErr.IsTimeout {
+		return edeNetbirdUpstreamTimeout
+	}
+	return edeNetbirdUpstreamFailure
+}
+
+// edeText builds the EDE extra-text describing the class of upstream failure.
+// It deliberately omits the upstream server address, which may be an internal
+// resolver and is exposed to any client permitted to use the route; the full
+// detail stays in the forwarder's local log.
+func edeText(dnsErr *net.DNSError) string {
+	if dnsErr != nil && dnsErr.IsTimeout {
+		return "netbird forwarder: upstream timeout"
+	}
+	return "netbird forwarder: upstream failure"
+}
+
+// attachEDE adds an Extended DNS Error (RFC 8914) option to the response,
+// creating the OPT pseudo-record if the response does not already carry one.
+func attachEDE(resp *dns.Msg, code uint16, text string) {
+	opt := resp.IsEdns0()
+	if opt == nil {
+		resp.SetEdns0(dns.DefaultMsgSize, false)
+		opt = resp.IsEdns0()
+	}
+	opt.Option = append(opt.Option, &dns.EDNS0_EDE{InfoCode: code, ExtraText: text})
+}

client/internal/dnsfwd/forwarder_test.go

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
 	firewall "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/resutil"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/test"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
@@ -132,6 +133,41 @@ func (m *MockResolver) LookupNetIP(ctx context.Context, network, host string) ([
 	return args.Get(0).([]netip.Addr), args.Error(1)
 }
 
+func (m *MockResolver) LookupMX(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]*net.MX, error) {
+	args := m.Called(ctx, name)
+	recs, _ := args.Get(0).([]*net.MX)
+	return recs, args.Error(1)
+}
+
+func (m *MockResolver) LookupTXT(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]string, error) {
+	args := m.Called(ctx, name)
+	recs, _ := args.Get(0).([]string)
+	return recs, args.Error(1)
+}
+
+func (m *MockResolver) LookupNS(ctx context.Context, name string) ([]*net.NS, error) {
+	args := m.Called(ctx, name)
+	recs, _ := args.Get(0).([]*net.NS)
+	return recs, args.Error(1)
+}
+
+func (m *MockResolver) LookupSRV(ctx context.Context, service, proto, name string) (string, []*net.SRV, error) {
+	args := m.Called(ctx, service, proto, name)
+	recs, _ := args.Get(1).([]*net.SRV)
+	return args.String(0), recs, args.Error(2)
+}
+
+func (m *MockResolver) LookupCNAME(ctx context.Context, host string) (string, error) {
+	args := m.Called(ctx, host)
+	return args.String(0), args.Error(1)
+}
+
+func (m *MockResolver) LookupAddr(ctx context.Context, addr string) ([]string, error) {
+	args := m.Called(ctx, addr)
+	recs, _ := args.Get(0).([]string)
+	return recs, args.Error(1)
+}
+
 func TestDNSForwarder_SubdomainAccessLogic(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name             string
@@ -544,12 +580,15 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_MultipleIPsInSingleUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestDNSForwarder_ResponseCodes(t *testing.T) {
+	// A type with no net.Resolver Lookup method (CAA) must answer NODATA
+	// (NOERROR, empty) rather than NXDOMAIN/NOTIMP to avoid poisoning the name.
 	tests := []struct {
 		name         string
 		queryType    uint16
 		queryDomain  string
 		configured   string
 		expectedCode int
+		expectEDE    bool
 		description  string
 	}{
 		{
@@ -561,28 +600,13 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ResponseCodes(t *testing.T) {
 			description:  "RFC compliant REFUSED for unauthorized queries",
 		},
 		{
-			name:         "unsupported query type returns NOTIMP",
+			name:         "unsupported query type returns NODATA",
-			queryType:    dns.TypeMX,
+			queryType:    dns.TypeCAA,
 			queryDomain:  "example.com",
 			configured:   "example.com",
-			expectedCode: dns.RcodeNotImplemented,
+			expectedCode: dns.RcodeSuccess,
-			description:  "RFC compliant NOTIMP for unsupported types",
+			expectEDE:    true,
-		},
+			description:  "Unsupported types answer NODATA, not NXDOMAIN/NOTIMP",
-		{
-			name:         "CNAME query returns NOTIMP",
-			queryType:    dns.TypeCNAME,
-			queryDomain:  "example.com",
-			configured:   "example.com",
-			expectedCode: dns.RcodeNotImplemented,
-			description:  "CNAME queries not supported",
-		},
-		{
-			name:         "TXT query returns NOTIMP",
-			queryType:    dns.TypeTXT,
-			queryDomain:  "example.com",
-			configured:   "example.com",
-			expectedCode: dns.RcodeNotImplemented,
-			description:  "TXT queries not supported",
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -598,6 +622,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ResponseCodes(t *testing.T) {
 
 			query := &dns.Msg{}
 			query.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn(tt.queryDomain), tt.queryType)
+			query.SetEdns0(dns.DefaultMsgSize, false)
 
 			// Capture the written response
 			var writtenResp *dns.Msg
@@ -613,6 +638,288 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ResponseCodes(t *testing.T) {
 			// Check the response written to the writer
 			require.NotNil(t, writtenResp, "Expected response to be written")
 			assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedCode, writtenResp.Rcode, tt.description)
+			assert.Empty(t, writtenResp.Answer, "Non-address response should carry no answers")
+
+			if tt.expectEDE {
+				require.NotNil(t, writtenResp.IsEdns0(), "EDNS0 client should get an OPT in the reply")
+				assert.True(t, hasEDE(writtenResp, dns.ExtendedErrorCodeNotSupported),
+					"unsupported type NODATA should carry EDE Not Supported")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func hasEDE(m *dns.Msg, code uint16) bool {
+	opt := m.IsEdns0()
+	if opt == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	for _, o := range opt.Option {
+		if ede, ok := o.(*dns.EDNS0_EDE); ok && ede.InfoCode == code {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func TestDNSForwarder_RecordQueries(t *testing.T) {
+	notFound := &net.DNSError{IsNotFound: true, Name: "example.com"}
+
+	t.Run("MX records are forwarded", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupMX", mock.Anything, "example.com.").
+			Return([]*net.MX{{Host: "mail.example.com.", Pref: 10}}, nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "example.com", dns.TypeMX)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		mx, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.MX)
+		require.True(t, ok, "answer should be an MX record")
+		assert.Equal(t, uint16(10), mx.Preference)
+		assert.Equal(t, "mail.example.com.", mx.Mx)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("missing MX is NODATA not NXDOMAIN", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "example.com")
+
+		// A not-found cannot prove the name is absent (it may exist with only
+		// other record types), so it must answer NODATA, never NXDOMAIN.
+		mockResolver.On("LookupMX", mock.Anything, "example.com.").
+			Return(nil, notFound).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "example.com", dns.TypeMX)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode, "missing record must be NODATA")
+		assert.Empty(t, resp.Answer)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("NS records are forwarded", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupNS", mock.Anything, "example.com.").
+			Return([]*net.NS{{Host: "ns1.example.com."}}, nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "example.com", dns.TypeNS)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		ns, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.NS)
+		require.True(t, ok, "answer should be an NS record")
+		assert.Equal(t, "ns1.example.com.", ns.Ns)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("missing NS is NODATA", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupNS", mock.Anything, "example.com.").
+			Return(nil, notFound).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "example.com", dns.TypeNS)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		assert.Empty(t, resp.Answer)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("SRV records are forwarded", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "_sip._tcp.example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupSRV", mock.Anything, "", "", "_sip._tcp.example.com.").
+			Return("", []*net.SRV{{Target: "sip.example.com.", Port: 5060, Priority: 10, Weight: 5}}, nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "_sip._tcp.example.com", dns.TypeSRV)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		srv, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.SRV)
+		require.True(t, ok, "answer should be an SRV record")
+		assert.Equal(t, "sip.example.com.", srv.Target)
+		assert.Equal(t, uint16(5060), srv.Port)
+		assert.Equal(t, uint16(10), srv.Priority)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("missing SRV is NODATA", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "_sip._tcp.example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupSRV", mock.Anything, "", "", "_sip._tcp.example.com.").
+			Return("", nil, notFound).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "_sip._tcp.example.com", dns.TypeSRV)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		assert.Empty(t, resp.Answer)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("TXT records are forwarded", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupTXT", mock.Anything, "example.com.").
+			Return([]string{"v=spf1 -all"}, nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "example.com", dns.TypeTXT)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		txt, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.TXT)
+		require.True(t, ok, "answer should be a TXT record")
+		assert.Equal(t, []string{"v=spf1 -all"}, txt.Txt)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CNAME record is forwarded", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "www.example.com")
+
+		mockResolver.On("LookupCNAME", mock.Anything, "www.example.com.").
+			Return("target.example.com.", nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "www.example.com", dns.TypeCNAME)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		cname, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.CNAME)
+		require.True(t, ok, "answer should be a CNAME record")
+		assert.Equal(t, "target.example.com.", cname.Target)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CNAME equal to the name is NODATA", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "example.com")
+
+		// No CNAME exists: LookupCNAME echoes the queried name back.
+		mockResolver.On("LookupCNAME", mock.Anything, "example.com.").
+			Return("example.com.", nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "example.com", dns.TypeCNAME)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		assert.Empty(t, resp.Answer, "self-referential CNAME means no CNAME record")
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("PTR record is forwarded", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+		forwarder := newRecordTestForwarder(t, mockResolver, "*.in-addr.arpa")
+
+		// The reverse name is parsed back to the address LookupAddr expects.
+		mockResolver.On("LookupAddr", mock.Anything, "1.2.3.4").
+			Return([]string{"host.example.com."}, nil).Once()
+
+		resp := runRecordQuery(t, forwarder, "4.3.2.1.in-addr.arpa", dns.TypePTR)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		ptr, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.PTR)
+		require.True(t, ok, "answer should be a PTR record")
+		assert.Equal(t, "host.example.com.", ptr.Ptr)
+		mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+	})
+}
+
+func newRecordTestForwarder(t *testing.T, r resolver, configured string) *DNSForwarder {
+	t.Helper()
+	forwarder := NewDNSForwarder(netip.MustParseAddrPort("127.0.0.1:0"), 300, nil, &peer.Status{}, nil)
+	forwarder.resolver = r
+
+	d, err := domain.FromString(configured)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	forwarder.UpdateDomains([]*ForwarderEntry{{Domain: d, ResID: "test-res"}})
+	return forwarder
+}
+
+func runRecordQuery(t *testing.T, forwarder *DNSForwarder, qname string, qtype uint16) *dns.Msg {
+	t.Helper()
+	query := &dns.Msg{}
+	query.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn(qname), qtype)
+
+	mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
+	forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query, time.Now())
+
+	resp := mockWriter.GetLastResponse()
+	require.NotNil(t, resp, "expected response to be written")
+	return resp
+}
+
+func TestDNSForwarder_UpstreamFailureEDE(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name        string
+		lookupErr   error
+		reqEdns     bool
+		wantEDE     bool
+		wantCode    uint16
+		wantTextHas string
+	}{
+		{
+			name:        "timeout with edns0",
+			lookupErr:   &net.DNSError{Err: "i/o timeout", Server: "10.0.0.53:53", IsTimeout: true},
+			reqEdns:     true,
+			wantEDE:     true,
+			wantCode:    edeNetbirdUpstreamTimeout,
+			wantTextHas: "netbird forwarder: upstream timeout",
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "server failure with edns0",
+			lookupErr:   &net.DNSError{Err: "server misbehaving", Server: "10.0.0.53:53"},
+			reqEdns:     true,
+			wantEDE:     true,
+			wantCode:    edeNetbirdUpstreamFailure,
+			wantTextHas: "netbird forwarder: upstream failure",
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "no edns0 in request omits ede",
+			lookupErr: &net.DNSError{Err: "server misbehaving", Server: "10.0.0.53:53"},
+			reqEdns:   false,
+			wantEDE:   false,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			mockResolver := &MockResolver{}
+			forwarder := NewDNSForwarder(netip.MustParseAddrPort("127.0.0.1:0"), 300, nil, &peer.Status{}, nil)
+			forwarder.resolver = mockResolver
+
+			d, err := domain.FromString("example.com")
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			forwarder.UpdateDomains([]*ForwarderEntry{{Domain: d, ResID: "test-res"}})
+
+			mockResolver.On("LookupNetIP", mock.Anything, "ip4", "example.com.").
+				Return([]netip.Addr(nil), tt.lookupErr).Once()
+
+			query := &dns.Msg{}
+			query.SetQuestion("example.com.", dns.TypeA)
+			if tt.reqEdns {
+				query.SetEdns0(dns.DefaultMsgSize, false)
+			}
+
+			var writtenResp *dns.Msg
+			mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{
+				WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error {
+					writtenResp = m
+					return nil
+				},
+			}
+
+			forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query, time.Now())
+			mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
+
+			require.NotNil(t, writtenResp, "expected a response")
+			assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeServerFailure, writtenResp.Rcode, "upstream failure must be SERVFAIL")
+
+			ede, ok := resutil.ExtractEDE(writtenResp)
+			if !tt.wantEDE {
+				assert.False(t, ok, "response must not carry EDE")
+				return
+			}
+			require.True(t, ok, "response must carry EDE")
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.wantCode, ede.InfoCode, "EDE info code")
+			assert.Contains(t, ede.ExtraText, tt.wantTextHas, "EDE extra-text")
+			assert.NotContains(t, ede.ExtraText, "10.0.0.53", "must not leak upstream server address")
 		})
 	}
 }

client/internal/engine.go

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dnsfwd"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/expose"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/ingressgw"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/lazyconn"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/metrics"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow"
 	nftypes "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/types"
@@ -82,10 +83,18 @@ const (
 	PeerConnectionTimeoutMax = 45000 // ms
 	PeerConnectionTimeoutMin = 30000 // ms
 	disableAutoUpdate        = "disabled"
+
+	// systemInfoTimeout bounds how long the sync loop waits for system info / posture
+	// check gathering. The gathering runs uncancellable system calls (process scan,
+	// exec, os.Stat); without this bound a single stuck call freezes handleSync, and
+	// thus syncMsgMux, for as long as the call hangs (observed multi-minute freezes).
+	systemInfoTimeout = 15 * time.Second
 )
 
 var ErrResetConnection = fmt.Errorf("reset connection")
 
+var ErrEngineAlreadyStarted = errors.New("engine already started")
+
 type EngineConfig struct {
 	WgPort      int
 	WgIfaceName string
@@ -139,7 +148,9 @@ type EngineConfig struct {
 	BlockInbound        bool
 	DisableIPv6         bool
 
-	LazyConnectionEnabled bool
+	// LazyConnection is the MDM-sourced lazy-connection override; StateUnset defers to
+	// the env var and management feature flag.
+	LazyConnection lazyconn.State
 
 	MTU uint16
 
@@ -164,6 +175,7 @@ type EngineServices struct {
 	StateManager   *statemanager.Manager
 	UpdateManager  *updater.Manager
 	ClientMetrics  *metrics.ClientMetrics
+	MetricsCtx     context.Context
 }
 
 // Engine is a mechanism responsible for reacting on Signal and Management stream events and managing connections to the remote peers.
@@ -199,6 +211,8 @@ type Engine struct {
 	ctx    context.Context
 	cancel context.CancelFunc
 
+	started bool
+
 	wgInterface WGIface
 
 	udpMux *udpmux.UniversalUDPMuxDefault
@@ -206,6 +220,12 @@ type Engine struct {
 	// networkSerial is the latest CurrentSerial (state ID) of the network sent by the Management service
 	networkSerial uint64
 
+	// forwardingRules holds the ingress forward rules applied for the current target.
+	// Wholesale sections (incl. forward rules) run only on the first pass of a target;
+	// it is stashed here so the final, peer-converged pass can build the lazy-connection
+	// exclude list without recomputing them on every bounded peer pass.
+	forwardingRules []firewallManager.ForwardRule
+
 	networkMonitor *networkmonitor.NetworkMonitor
 
 	sshServer sshServer
@@ -254,6 +274,7 @@ type Engine struct {
 
 	// clientMetrics collects and pushes metrics
 	clientMetrics *metrics.ClientMetrics
+	metricsCtx    context.Context
 
 	jobExecutor   *jobexec.Executor
 	jobExecutorWG sync.WaitGroup
@@ -279,9 +300,15 @@ func NewEngine(
 	services EngineServices,
 	mobileDep MobileDependency,
 ) *Engine {
+	// The engine is single-use: a fresh instance is built per connection
+	// cycle (see Client.run), so the run context is created once here rather
+	// than in Start.
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(clientCtx)
 	engine := &Engine{
 		clientCtx:          clientCtx,
 		clientCancel:       clientCancel,
+		ctx:                ctx,
+		cancel:             cancel,
 		signal:             services.SignalClient,
 		signaler:           peer.NewSignaler(services.SignalClient, config.WgPrivateKey),
 		mgmClient:          services.MgmClient,
@@ -300,6 +327,7 @@ func NewEngine(
 		probeStunTurn:      relay.NewStunTurnProbe(relay.DefaultCacheTTL),
 		jobExecutor:        jobexec.NewExecutor(),
 		clientMetrics:      services.ClientMetrics,
+		metricsCtx:         services.MetricsCtx,
 		updateManager:      services.UpdateManager,
 		syncStoreDir:       config.StateDir,
 	}
@@ -314,8 +342,34 @@ func (e *Engine) Stop() error {
 		log.Debugf("tried stopping engine that is nil")
 		return nil
 	}
+	e.cancel()
 	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
 
+	e.stopLocked()
+
+	e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
+
+	timeout := e.calculateShutdownTimeout()
+	log.Debugf("waiting for goroutines to finish with timeout: %v", timeout)
+	shutdownCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), timeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	if err := waitWithContext(shutdownCtx, &e.shutdownWg); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("shutdown timeout exceeded after %v, some goroutines may still be running", timeout)
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("stopped Netbird Engine")
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// stopLocked tears down everything Start may have brought up, in the order
+// teardown requires (DNS before the interface goes down, flow manager after).
+// The caller must hold syncMsgMux. It is shared by Stop and by Start's failure
+// path, so a partially-initialized engine is cleaned up the same way; every
+// step is nil-guarded. It does not wait on shutdownWg — the caller does that
+// after releasing the lock, since the goroutines also take syncMsgMux.
+func (e *Engine) stopLocked() {
 	if e.connMgr != nil {
 		e.connMgr.Close()
 	}
@@ -366,10 +420,6 @@ func (e *Engine) Stop() error {
 	// so dbus and friends don't complain because of a missing interface
 	e.stopDNSServer()
 
-	if e.cancel != nil {
-		e.cancel()
-	}
-
 	e.jobExecutorWG.Wait() // block until job goroutines finish
 
 	e.close()
@@ -388,21 +438,6 @@ func (e *Engine) Stop() error {
 	if err := e.stateManager.PersistState(context.Background()); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to persist state: %v", err)
 	}
-
-	e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
-
-	timeout := e.calculateShutdownTimeout()
-	log.Debugf("waiting for goroutines to finish with timeout: %v", timeout)
-	shutdownCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), timeout)
-	defer cancel()
-
-	if err := waitWithContext(shutdownCtx, &e.shutdownWg); err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("shutdown timeout exceeded after %v, some goroutines may still be running", timeout)
-	}
-
-	log.Infof("stopped Netbird Engine")
-
-	return nil
 }
 
 // calculateShutdownTimeout returns shutdown timeout: 10s base + 100ms per peer, capped at 30s.
@@ -440,18 +475,38 @@ func waitWithContext(ctx context.Context, wg *sync.WaitGroup) error {
 // Start creates a new WireGuard tunnel interface and listens to events from Signal and Management services
 // Connections to remote peers are not established here.
 // However, they will be established once an event with a list of peers to connect to will be received from Management Service
-func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL) error {
+func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL) (err error) {
 	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
 	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
 
-	if err := iface.ValidateMTU(e.config.MTU); err != nil {
+	// The engine is single-use. Reject a duplicate start and a start on an
+	// already-stopped engine (run context cancelled).
+	if e.started {
+		return ErrEngineAlreadyStarted
+	}
+
+	if ctxErr := e.ctx.Err(); ctxErr != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("engine already stopped: %w", ctxErr)
+	}
+
+	e.started = true
+
+	// Tear down any partially-initialized state on a failed start. Cancel the
+	// run context first so goroutines started before the failure (connMgr,
+	// srWatcher, monitors) unwind, then stopLocked mirrors Stop's teardown (we
+	// already hold syncMsgMux), cleaning up route/DNS/flow/state managers too,
+	// not just what close() covers.
+	defer func() {
+		if err != nil {
+			e.cancel()
+			e.stopLocked()
+		}
+	}()
+
+	if err = iface.ValidateMTU(e.config.MTU); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("invalid MTU configuration: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	if e.cancel != nil {
-		e.cancel()
-	}
-	e.ctx, e.cancel = context.WithCancel(e.clientCtx)
 	e.exposeManager = expose.NewManager(e.ctx, e.mgmClient)
 
 	wgIface, err := e.newWgIface()
@@ -485,13 +540,11 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 
 	initialRoutes, dnsConfig, dnsFeatureFlag, err := e.readInitialSettings()
 	if err != nil {
-		e.close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("read initial settings: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	dnsServer, err := e.newDnsServer(dnsConfig)
 	if err != nil {
-		e.close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("create dns server: %w", err)
 	}
 	e.dnsServer = dnsServer
@@ -526,7 +579,6 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 
 	if err = e.wgInterfaceCreate(); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed creating tunnel interface %s: [%s]", e.config.WgIfaceName, err.Error())
-		e.close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("create wg interface: %w", err)
 	}
 
@@ -535,7 +587,6 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 	}
 
 	if err := e.createFirewall(); err != nil {
-		e.close()
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -547,7 +598,6 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 	e.udpMux, err = e.wgInterface.Up()
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to pull up wgInterface [%s]: %s", e.wgInterface.Name(), err.Error())
-		e.close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("up wg interface: %w", err)
 	}
 
@@ -572,9 +622,7 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 		e.acl = acl.NewDefaultManager(e.firewall)
 	}
 
-	err = e.dnsServer.Initialize()
+	if err := e.dnsServer.Initialize(); err != nil {
-	if err != nil {
-		e.close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("initialize dns server: %w", err)
 	}
 
@@ -586,7 +634,9 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 	e.srWatcher = guard.NewSRWatcher(e.signal, e.relayManager, e.mobileDep.IFaceDiscover, iceCfg)
 	e.srWatcher.Start(peer.IsForceRelayed())
 
-	e.receiveSignalEvents()
+	if err = e.receiveSignalEvents(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	e.receiveManagementEvents()
 	e.receiveJobEvents()
 
@@ -638,7 +688,6 @@ func (e *Engine) createFirewall() error {
 
 func (e *Engine) initFirewall() error {
 	if err := e.routeManager.SetFirewall(e.firewall); err != nil {
-		e.close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("set firewall: %w", err)
 	}
 
@@ -731,7 +780,15 @@ func (e *Engine) blockLanAccess() {
 
 // modifyPeers updates peers that have been modified (e.g. IP address has been changed).
 // It closes the existing connection, removes it from the peerConns map, and creates a new one.
-func (e *Engine) modifyPeers(peersUpdate []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig) error {
+// maxPeersPerSyncPass is the default per-pass cap on how many peers each of
+// removePeers/modifyPeers/addNewPeers applies, so syncMsgMux is held only for a
+// batch at a time and other subsystems can interleave between passes. It is
+// passed in (not read globally) so tests can exercise the multi-pass path.
+const maxPeersPerSyncPass = 300
+
+// modifyPeers re-applies up to maxBatch changed peers per call. It returns true
+// when more changed peers remained than the cap, so the caller re-runs.
+func (e *Engine) modifyPeers(peersUpdate []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig, maxBatch int) (bool, error) {
 
 	// first, check if peers have been modified
 	var modified []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig
@@ -761,26 +818,32 @@ func (e *Engine) modifyPeers(peersUpdate []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig) error {
 		}
 	}
 
+	more := false
+	if len(modified) > maxBatch {
+		modified = modified[:maxBatch]
+		more = true
+	}
+
 	// second, close all modified connections and remove them from the state map
 	for _, p := range modified {
-		err := e.removePeer(p.GetWgPubKey())
+		if err := e.removePeer(p.GetWgPubKey()); err != nil {
-		if err != nil {
+			return false, err
-			return err
 		}
 	}
 	// third, add the peer connections again
 	for _, p := range modified {
-		err := e.addNewPeer(p)
+		if err := e.addNewPeer(p); err != nil {
-		if err != nil {
+			return false, err
-			return err
 		}
 	}
-	return nil
+	return more, nil
 }
 
 // removePeers finds and removes peers that do not exist anymore in the network map received from the Management Service.
 // It also removes peers that have been modified (e.g. change of IP address). They will be added again in addPeers method.
-func (e *Engine) removePeers(peersUpdate []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig) error {
+// removePeers removes up to maxBatch peers per call. It returns true when more
+// peers remained to remove than the cap, so the caller re-runs.
+func (e *Engine) removePeers(peersUpdate []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig, maxBatch int) (bool, error) {
 	newPeers := make([]string, 0, len(peersUpdate))
 	for _, p := range peersUpdate {
 		newPeers = append(newPeers, p.GetWgPubKey())
@@ -788,14 +851,19 @@ func (e *Engine) removePeers(peersUpdate []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig) error {
 
 	toRemove := util.SliceDiff(e.peerStore.PeersPubKey(), newPeers)
 
+	more := false
+	if len(toRemove) > maxBatch {
+		toRemove = toRemove[:maxBatch]
+		more = true
+	}
+
 	for _, p := range toRemove {
-		err := e.removePeer(p)
+		if err := e.removePeer(p); err != nil {
-		if err != nil {
+			return false, err
-			return err
 		}
 		log.Infof("removed peer %s", p)
 	}
-	return nil
+	return more, nil
 }
 
 func (e *Engine) removeAllPeers() error {
@@ -864,27 +932,38 @@ func (e *Engine) handleAutoUpdateVersion(autoUpdateSettings *mgmProto.AutoUpdate
 	e.updateManager.SetVersion(autoUpdateSettings.Version, autoUpdateSettings.AlwaysUpdate)
 }
 
-func (e *Engine) handleSync(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) error {
+// phase times a sync sub-phase: it returns a function that records the elapsed
-	started := time.Now()
+// duration when called. Starting the timer at the call site keeps inter-phase
-	defer func() {
+// glue code out of the measurement.
-		duration := time.Since(started)
+func (e *Engine) phase(name string) func() {
-		log.Infof("sync finished in %s", duration)
+	start := time.Now()
-		e.clientMetrics.RecordSyncDuration(e.ctx, duration)
+	return func() {
-	}()
+		e.clientMetrics.RecordSyncPhase(e.ctx, name, time.Since(start))
+	}
+}
+
+// applySyncPass applies one bounded pass of the sync update under syncMsgMux and
+// returns true if more peers remained than the per-pass cap. It is driven by the
+// mapStateManager, which re-invokes it (releasing the lock between passes) until
+// the update is fully applied.
+func (e *Engine) applySyncPass(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse, firstPass bool) (bool, error) {
 	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
 	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
 
 	// Check context INSIDE lock to ensure atomicity with shutdown
 	if e.ctx.Err() != nil {
-		return e.ctx.Err()
+		return false, e.ctx.Err()
 	}
 
 	if update.NetworkMap != nil && update.NetworkMap.PeerConfig != nil {
 		e.handleAutoUpdateVersion(update.NetworkMap.PeerConfig.AutoUpdate)
 	}
 
-	if err := e.updateNetbirdConfig(update.GetNetbirdConfig()); err != nil {
+	done := e.phase("netbird_config")
-		return err
+	err := e.updateNetbirdConfig(update.GetNetbirdConfig())
+	done()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
 	}
 
 	// Posture checks are bound to the network map presence:
@@ -894,23 +973,25 @@ func (e *Engine) handleSync(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) error {
 	//                                        leave the previously applied checks untouched
 	nm := update.GetNetworkMap()
 	if nm == nil {
-		return nil
+		return false, nil
 	}
 
-	if err := e.updateChecksIfNew(update.Checks); err != nil {
+	done = e.phase("checks")
-		return err
+	err = e.updateChecksIfNew(update.Checks)
+	done()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
 	}
 
-	e.persistSyncResponse(update)
-
 	// only apply new changes and ignore old ones
-	if err := e.updateNetworkMap(nm); err != nil {
+	more, err := e.updateNetworkMap(nm, maxPeersPerSyncPass, firstPass)
-		return err
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
 	}
 
 	e.statusRecorder.PublishEvent(cProto.SystemEvent_INFO, cProto.SystemEvent_SYSTEM, "Network map updated", "", nil)
 
-	return nil
+	return more, nil
 }
 
 // updateNetbirdConfig applies the management-provided NetBird configuration:
@@ -942,6 +1023,8 @@ func (e *Engine) updateNetbirdConfig(wCfg *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("handle the flow configuration: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	e.handleMetricsUpdate(wCfg.GetMetrics())
+
 	if err := e.PopulateNetbirdConfig(wCfg, nil); err != nil {
 		log.Warnf("Failed to update DNS server config: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -956,6 +1039,13 @@ func (e *Engine) updateNetbirdConfig(wCfg *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig) error {
 // (not syncMsgMux) is held for the whole Set so the store cannot be cleared (disabled /
 // engine close) mid-call and have this write resurrect a file that was just removed.
 func (e *Engine) persistSyncResponse(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) {
+	// Only persist updates that carry a network map. Config-only updates (e.g. relay
+	// token rotation, STUN/TURN) have a nil NetworkMap; persisting them would overwrite
+	// the last full map on disk and break restore-on-restart.
+	if update.GetNetworkMap() == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
 	e.syncRespMux.RLock()
 	defer e.syncRespMux.RUnlock()
 
@@ -1011,6 +1101,14 @@ func (e *Engine) handleFlowUpdate(config *mgmProto.FlowConfig) error {
 	return e.flowManager.Update(flowConfig)
 }
 
+func (e *Engine) handleMetricsUpdate(config *mgmProto.MetricsConfig) {
+	if config == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	log.Infof("received metrics configuration from management: enabled=%v", config.GetEnabled())
+	e.clientMetrics.UpdatePushFromMgm(e.metricsCtx, config.GetEnabled())
+}
+
 func toFlowLoggerConfig(config *mgmProto.FlowConfig) (*nftypes.FlowConfig, error) {
 	if config.GetInterval() == nil {
 		return nil, errors.New("flow interval is nil")
@@ -1035,11 +1133,22 @@ func (e *Engine) updateChecksIfNew(checks []*mgmProto.Checks) error {
 	}
 	e.checks = checks
 
-	info, err := system.GetInfoWithChecks(e.ctx, checks)
+	info, ok := system.GetInfoWithChecksTimeout(e.ctx, systemInfoTimeout, checks, e.overlayAddresses()...)
-	if err != nil {
+	if !ok {
-		log.Warnf("failed to get system info with checks: %v", err)
+		// Gathering timed out; skip the meta sync this cycle rather than blocking the
-		info = system.GetInfo(e.ctx)
+		// sync loop (and syncMsgMux) on a stuck system call. A later sync will retry.
+		return nil
 	}
+	e.applyInfoFlags(info)
+
+	if err := e.mgmClient.SyncMeta(info); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("could not sync meta: error %s", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// applyInfoFlags sets the engine's config-derived feature flags on the gathered system info.
+func (e *Engine) applyInfoFlags(info *system.Info) {
 	info.SetFlags(
 		e.config.RosenpassEnabled,
 		e.config.RosenpassPermissive,
@@ -1051,19 +1160,26 @@ func (e *Engine) updateChecksIfNew(checks []*mgmProto.Checks) error {
 		e.config.BlockLANAccess,
 		e.config.BlockInbound,
 		e.config.DisableIPv6,
-		e.config.LazyConnectionEnabled,
 		e.config.EnableSSHRoot,
 		e.config.EnableSSHSFTP,
 		e.config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding,
 		e.config.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding,
 		e.config.DisableSSHAuth,
 	)
+}
 
-	if err := e.mgmClient.SyncMeta(info); err != nil {
+// overlayAddresses returns our own WireGuard overlay address (v4 and v6) so it
-		log.Errorf("could not sync meta: error %s", err)
+// can be excluded from the reported network addresses; the interface coming and
-		return err
+// going otherwise churns the peer meta on the management server.
+func (e *Engine) overlayAddresses() []netip.Addr {
+	var ips []netip.Addr
+	if e.config.WgAddr.IP.IsValid() {
+		ips = append(ips, e.config.WgAddr.IP)
 	}
-	return nil
+	if e.config.WgAddr.HasIPv6() {
+		ips = append(ips, e.config.WgAddr.IPv6)
+	}
+	return ips
 }
 
 func (e *Engine) updateConfig(conf *mgmProto.PeerConfig) error {
@@ -1209,31 +1325,32 @@ func (e *Engine) receiveManagementEvents() {
 	e.shutdownWg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		defer e.shutdownWg.Done()
-		info, err := system.GetInfoWithChecks(e.ctx, e.checks)
+		info, ok := system.GetInfoWithChecksTimeout(e.ctx, systemInfoTimeout, e.checks, e.overlayAddresses()...)
-		if err != nil {
+		if !ok {
-			log.Warnf("failed to get system info with checks: %v", err)
+			// Gathering timed out; connect the stream with base info so management
+			// connectivity still comes up rather than blocking here.
 			info = system.GetInfo(e.ctx)
 		}
-		info.SetFlags(
+		e.applyInfoFlags(info)
-			e.config.RosenpassEnabled,
-			e.config.RosenpassPermissive,
-			&e.config.ServerSSHAllowed,
-			e.config.DisableClientRoutes,
-			e.config.DisableServerRoutes,
-			e.config.DisableDNS,
-			e.config.DisableFirewall,
-			e.config.BlockLANAccess,
-			e.config.BlockInbound,
-			e.config.DisableIPv6,
-			e.config.LazyConnectionEnabled,
-			e.config.EnableSSHRoot,
-			e.config.EnableSSHSFTP,
-			e.config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding,
-			e.config.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding,
-			e.config.DisableSSHAuth,
-		)
 
-		err = e.mgmClient.Sync(e.ctx, info, e.handleSync)
+		// The map-state manager converges the latest update in the background in
+		// bounded passes; the stream callback only hands it the newest target.
+		persist := func(u *mgmProto.SyncResponse) {
+			done := e.phase("persist")
+			e.persistSyncResponse(u)
+			done()
+		}
+		manager := newMapStateManager(e.applySyncPass, persist, func(d time.Duration) {
+			log.Infof("sync finished in %s", d)
+			e.clientMetrics.RecordSyncDuration(e.ctx, d)
+		})
+		e.shutdownWg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer e.shutdownWg.Done()
+			manager.run(e.ctx)
+		}()
+
+		err := e.mgmClient.Sync(e.ctx, info, manager.SetTarget)
 		if err != nil {
 			// happens if management is unavailable for a long time.
 			// We want to cancel the operation of the whole client
@@ -1284,21 +1401,107 @@ func (e *Engine) updateTURNs(turns []*mgmProto.ProtectedHostConfig) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (e *Engine) updateNetworkMap(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) error {
+// updateNetworkMap applies the wholesale parts (config, routes, ACL, DNS) in full
+// and up to maxBatch peers per phase. It returns true when more peers remained
+// than the cap, so the caller re-runs until convergence.
+func (e *Engine) updateNetworkMap(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap, maxBatch int, firstPass bool) (bool, error) {
 	// intentionally leave it before checking serial because for now it can happen that peer IP changed but serial didn't
 	if networkMap.GetPeerConfig() != nil {
 		err := e.updateConfig(networkMap.GetPeerConfig())
 		if err != nil {
-			return err
+			return false, err
 		}
 	}
 
 	serial := networkMap.GetSerial()
 	if e.networkSerial > serial {
 		log.Debugf("received outdated NetworkMap with serial %d, ignoring", serial)
-		return nil
+		return false, nil
 	}
 
+	// Wholesale sections (firewall/ACL, DNS, routes, forward rules) are applied
+	// up-front and only once per target: they are cheap, local, idempotent and must
+	// be in place before peers come up (fail-closed). On the bounded re-runs that only
+	// drain the remaining peer batches they are skipped — the applied forward rules are
+	// reused from e.forwardingRules for the lazy-exclude finalize.
+	if firstPass {
+		e.applyWholesale(networkMap, serial)
+	}
+
+	log.Debugf("got peers update from Management Service, total peers to connect to = %d", len(networkMap.GetRemotePeers()))
+
+	doneOffline := e.phase("offline_peers")
+	e.updateOfflinePeers(networkMap.GetOfflinePeers())
+	doneOffline()
+
+	// Filter out own peer from the remote peers list
+	localPubKey := e.config.WgPrivateKey.PublicKey().String()
+	remotePeers := make([]*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig, 0, len(networkMap.GetRemotePeers()))
+	for _, p := range networkMap.GetRemotePeers() {
+		if p.GetWgPubKey() != localPubKey {
+			remotePeers = append(remotePeers, p)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// No special case for cleanup: when management signals RemotePeersIsEmpty (e.g. our
+	// peer was deleted), remotePeers is already empty, so the bounded diff below removes
+	// every peer in batches — same path as a normal update, no unbounded removeAllPeers
+	// held under syncMsgMux in one shot.
+	doneRemoved := e.phase("removed_peers")
+	removeMore, err := e.removePeers(remotePeers, maxBatch)
+	doneRemoved()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+
+	doneModified := e.phase("modified_peers")
+	modifyMore, err := e.modifyPeers(remotePeers, maxBatch)
+	doneModified()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+
+	doneAdded := e.phase("added_peers")
+	addMore, err := e.addNewPeers(remotePeers, maxBatch)
+	doneAdded()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+
+	// needMore signals the caller to re-run when a peer phase hit its per-pass cap.
+	needMore := removeMore || modifyMore || addMore
+
+	e.statusRecorder.FinishPeerListModifications()
+
+	e.updatePeerSSHHostKeys(remotePeers)
+
+	if err := e.updateSSHClientConfig(remotePeers); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to update SSH client config: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	e.updateSSHServerAuth(networkMap.GetSshAuth())
+
+	// Set the exclude list only once peers have fully converged (this pass added
+	// the last batch). It needs all target peers present in the store, and
+	// ExcludePeer has replace-semantics — a partial set mid-convergence would be wrong.
+	if !needMore {
+		doneLazy := e.phase("lazy_exclude")
+		excludedLazyPeers := e.toExcludedLazyPeers(e.forwardingRules, remotePeers)
+		e.connMgr.SetExcludeList(e.ctx, excludedLazyPeers)
+		doneLazy()
+	}
+
+	e.networkSerial = serial
+
+	return needMore, nil
+}
+
+// applyWholesale applies the cheap, local, idempotent map sections — lazy feature
+// flag, firewall/legacy management, DNS, routes, ACL filtering, DNS forwarder and
+// ingress forward rules — that must be in place before peers come up. It runs once
+// per target (first pass only); the resulting forward rules are stashed in
+// e.forwardingRules for the lazy-exclude finalize on the peer-converged pass.
+func (e *Engine) applyWholesale(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap, serial uint64) {
 	if err := e.connMgr.UpdatedRemoteFeatureFlag(e.ctx, networkMap.GetPeerConfig().GetLazyConnectionEnabled()); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to update lazy connection feature flag: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -1326,13 +1529,16 @@ func (e *Engine) updateNetworkMap(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) error {
 
 	dnsConfig := toDNSConfig(protoDNSConfig, e.wgInterface.Address())
 
+	done := e.phase("dns_server")
 	if err := e.dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(serial, dnsConfig); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to update dns server, err: %v", err)
 	}
+	done()
 
 	e.routeManager.SetDNSForwarderPort(dnsConfig.ForwarderPort)
 
 	// apply routes first, route related actions might depend on routing being enabled
+	done = e.phase("routes_classify")
 	routes := toRoutes(networkMap.GetRoutes())
 	serverRoutes, clientRoutes := e.routeManager.ClassifyRoutes(routes)
 
@@ -1341,79 +1547,34 @@ func (e *Engine) updateNetworkMap(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) error {
 		e.connMgr.UpdateRouteHAMap(clientRoutes)
 		log.Debugf("updated lazy connection manager with %d HA groups", len(clientRoutes))
 	}
+	done()
 
+	done = e.phase("routes_apply")
 	dnsRouteFeatureFlag := toDNSFeatureFlag(networkMap)
 	if err := e.routeManager.UpdateRoutes(serial, serverRoutes, clientRoutes, dnsRouteFeatureFlag); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to update routes: %v", err)
 	}
+	done()
 
+	done = e.phase("filtering")
 	if e.acl != nil {
 		e.acl.ApplyFiltering(networkMap, dnsRouteFeatureFlag)
 	}
+	done()
 
+	done = e.phase("dns_forwarder")
 	fwdEntries := toRouteDomains(e.config.WgPrivateKey.PublicKey().String(), routes)
 	e.updateDNSForwarder(dnsRouteFeatureFlag, fwdEntries)
+	done()
 
 	// Ingress forward rules
+	done = e.phase("forward_rules")
 	forwardingRules, err := e.updateForwardRules(networkMap.GetForwardingRules())
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to update forward rules, err: %v", err)
 	}
-
+	done()
-	log.Debugf("got peers update from Management Service, total peers to connect to = %d", len(networkMap.GetRemotePeers()))
+	e.forwardingRules = forwardingRules
-
-	e.updateOfflinePeers(networkMap.GetOfflinePeers())
-
-	// Filter out own peer from the remote peers list
-	localPubKey := e.config.WgPrivateKey.PublicKey().String()
-	remotePeers := make([]*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig, 0, len(networkMap.GetRemotePeers()))
-	for _, p := range networkMap.GetRemotePeers() {
-		if p.GetWgPubKey() != localPubKey {
-			remotePeers = append(remotePeers, p)
-		}
-	}
-
-	// cleanup request, most likely our peer has been deleted
-	if networkMap.GetRemotePeersIsEmpty() {
-		err := e.removeAllPeers()
-		e.statusRecorder.FinishPeerListModifications()
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	} else {
-		err := e.removePeers(remotePeers)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		err = e.modifyPeers(remotePeers)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		err = e.addNewPeers(remotePeers)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		e.statusRecorder.FinishPeerListModifications()
-
-		e.updatePeerSSHHostKeys(remotePeers)
-
-		if err := e.updateSSHClientConfig(remotePeers); err != nil {
-			log.Warnf("failed to update SSH client config: %v", err)
-		}
-
-		e.updateSSHServerAuth(networkMap.GetSshAuth())
-	}
-
-	// must set the exclude list after the peers are added. Without it the manager can not figure out the peers parameters from the store
-	excludedLazyPeers := e.toExcludedLazyPeers(forwardingRules, remotePeers)
-	e.connMgr.SetExcludeList(e.ctx, excludedLazyPeers)
-
-	e.networkSerial = serial
-
-	return nil
 }
 
 func toDNSFeatureFlag(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) bool {
@@ -1593,14 +1754,23 @@ func addrToString(addr netip.Addr) string {
 }
 
 // addNewPeers adds peers that were not know before but arrived from the Management service with the update
-func (e *Engine) addNewPeers(peersUpdate []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig) error {
+// addNewPeers adds up to maxBatch not-yet-present peers per call. It returns true
+// when more new peers remained than the cap, so the caller re-runs.
+func (e *Engine) addNewPeers(peersUpdate []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig, maxBatch int) (bool, error) {
+	added := 0
 	for _, p := range peersUpdate {
-		err := e.addNewPeer(p)
+		if _, ok := e.peerStore.PeerConn(p.GetWgPubKey()); ok {
-		if err != nil {
+			continue // already present (cheap skip), does not count toward the cap
-			return err
 		}
+		if added >= maxBatch {
+			return true, nil // at least one more new peer remains
+		}
+		if err := e.addNewPeer(p); err != nil {
+			return false, err
+		}
+		added++
 	}
-	return nil
+	return false, nil
 }
 
 // addNewPeer add peer if connection doesn't exist
@@ -1698,7 +1868,7 @@ func (e *Engine) createPeerConn(pubKey string, allowedIPs []netip.Prefix, agentV
 }
 
 // receiveSignalEvents connects to the Signal Service event stream to negotiate connection with remote peers
-func (e *Engine) receiveSignalEvents() {
+func (e *Engine) receiveSignalEvents() error {
 	e.shutdownWg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		defer e.shutdownWg.Done()
@@ -1769,7 +1939,12 @@ func (e *Engine) receiveSignalEvents() {
 		}
 	}()
 
-	e.signal.WaitStreamConnected()
+	// todo: consider to remove this blocker. I do not see benefit to block the Start operations
+	e.signal.WaitStreamConnected(e.ctx)
+	if err := e.ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("wait for signal stream: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (e *Engine) parseNATExternalIPMappings() []string {
@@ -1888,7 +2063,6 @@ func (e *Engine) readInitialSettings() ([]*route.Route, *nbdns.Config, bool, err
 		e.config.BlockLANAccess,
 		e.config.BlockInbound,
 		e.config.DisableIPv6,
-		e.config.LazyConnectionEnabled,
 		e.config.EnableSSHRoot,
 		e.config.EnableSSHSFTP,
 		e.config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding,

client/internal/engine_privileged_test.go

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

client/internal/engine_test.go

@@ -6,37 +6,18 @@ import (
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
 	"os"
-	"runtime"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
-	"github.com/google/uuid"
-	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel"
 	wgdevice "golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/device"
 	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/tun/netstack"
 	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/wgctrl/wgtypes"
-	"google.golang.org/grpc"
-	"google.golang.org/grpc/keepalive"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/stdnet"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/job"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/integrated_validator/validator"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/controller"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map/update_channel"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/peers/ephemeral/manager"
-	nbgrpc "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/shared/grpc"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/server/config"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/groups"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/configurer"
@@ -50,18 +31,7 @@ import (
 	icemaker "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer/ice"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager"
-	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
 	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/dns"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/activity"
-	nbcache "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/cache"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/integrations/port_forwarding"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/permissions"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/settings"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/store"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/telemetry"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/types"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/monotime"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
 	mgmt "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/client"
@@ -69,25 +39,9 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/netiputil"
 	relayClient "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/relay/client"
 	signal "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/signal/client"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/signal/proto"
-	signalServer "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/signal/server"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
 )
 
-var (
-	kaep = keepalive.EnforcementPolicy{
-		MinTime:             15 * time.Second,
-		PermitWithoutStream: true,
-	}
-
-	kasp = keepalive.ServerParameters{
-		MaxConnectionIdle:     15 * time.Second,
-		MaxConnectionAgeGrace: 5 * time.Second,
-		Time:                  5 * time.Second,
-		Timeout:               2 * time.Second,
-	}
-)
-
 type MockWGIface struct {
 	CreateFunc                 func() error
 	CreateOnAndroidFunc        func(routeRange []string, ip string, domains []string) error
@@ -224,6 +178,10 @@ func (m *MockWGIface) LastActivities() map[string]monotime.Time {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (m *MockWGIface) MTU() uint16 {
+	return 1280
+}
+
 func (m *MockWGIface) SetPresharedKey(peerKey string, psk wgtypes.Key, updateOnly bool) error {
 	return nil
 }
@@ -234,129 +192,6 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	os.Exit(code)
 }
 
-func TestEngine_SSH(t *testing.T) {
-	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	sshKey, err := nbssh.GeneratePrivateKey(nbssh.ED25519)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-	defer cancel()
-
-	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	engine := NewEngine(
-		ctx, cancel,
-		&EngineConfig{
-			WgIfaceName:      "utun101",
-			WgAddr:           wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.64.0.1/24"),
-			WgPrivateKey:     key,
-			WgPort:           33100,
-			ServerSSHAllowed: true,
-			MTU:              iface.DefaultMTU,
-			SSHKey:           sshKey,
-		},
-		EngineServices{
-			SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
-			MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{},
-			RelayManager:   relayMgr,
-			StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
-		},
-		MobileDependency{},
-	)
-
-	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
-		UpdateDNSServerFunc: func(serial uint64, update nbdns.Config) error { return nil },
-	}
-
-	err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	defer func() {
-		err := engine.Stop()
-		if err != nil {
-			return
-		}
-	}()
-
-	peerWithSSH := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
-		WgPubKey:   "MNHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU=",
-		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.21/24"},
-		SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{
-			SshPubKey: []byte("ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAIFATYCqaQw/9id1Qkq3n16JYhDhXraI6Pc1fgB8ynEfQ"),
-		},
-	}
-
-	// SSH server is not enabled so SSH config of a remote peer should be ignored
-	networkMap := &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-		Serial:             6,
-		PeerConfig:         nil,
-		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
-		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-	}
-
-	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	assert.Nil(t, engine.sshServer)
-
-	// SSH server is enabled, therefore SSH config should be applied
-	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-		Serial: 7,
-		PeerConfig: &mgmtProto.PeerConfig{Address: "100.64.0.1/24",
-			SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{
-				SshEnabled: true,
-				JwtConfig: &mgmtProto.JWTConfig{
-					Issuer:       "test-issuer",
-					Audience:     "test-audience",
-					KeysLocation: "test-keys",
-					MaxTokenAge:  3600,
-				},
-			}},
-		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
-		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-	}
-
-	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
-	assert.NotNil(t, engine.sshServer)
-
-	// now remove peer
-	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-		Serial:             8,
-		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{},
-		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-	}
-
-	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	// time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
-	assert.NotNil(t, engine.sshServer)
-
-	// now disable SSH server
-	networkMap = &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-		Serial: 9,
-		PeerConfig: &mgmtProto.PeerConfig{Address: "100.64.0.1/24",
-			SshConfig: &mgmtProto.SSHConfig{SshEnabled: false}},
-		RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peerWithSSH},
-		RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-	}
-
-	err = engine.updateNetworkMap(networkMap)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	assert.Nil(t, engine.sshServer)
-}
-
 func TestEngine_SSHUpdateLogic(t *testing.T) {
 	// Test that SSH server start/stop logic works based on config
 	engine := &Engine{
@@ -426,7 +261,7 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMap(t *testing.T) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
 	defer cancel()
 
 	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
@@ -602,7 +437,7 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMap(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for _, c := range []testCase{case1, case2, case3, case4, case5, case6} {
 		t.Run(c.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			err = engine.updateNetworkMap(c.networkMap)
+			_, err = engine.updateNetworkMap(c.networkMap, maxPeersPerSyncPass, true)
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 				return
@@ -629,97 +464,47 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMap(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 		})
 	}
-}
 
-func TestEngine_Sync(t *testing.T) {
+	// chunked apply: with a per-pass cap smaller than the number of peers, a
-	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
+	// single updateNetworkMap applies one batch and reports more==true; the
-	if err != nil {
+	// caller re-runs until convergence. (engine currently holds 0 peers.)
-		t.Fatal(err)
+	t.Run("chunked add converges over multiple passes", func(t *testing.T) {
-		return
+		nm := &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-	}
+			Serial:      6,
-
+			RemotePeers: []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peer1, peer2, peer3},
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-	defer cancel()
-
-	// feed updates to Engine via mocked Management client
-	updates := make(chan *mgmtProto.SyncResponse)
-	defer close(updates)
-	syncFunc := func(ctx context.Context, info *system.Info, msgHandler func(msg *mgmtProto.SyncResponse) error) error {
-		for msg := range updates {
-			err := msgHandler(msg)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-		}
-		return nil
-	}
-	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &EngineConfig{
-		WgIfaceName:  "utun103",
-		WgAddr:       wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress("100.64.0.1/24"),
-		WgPrivateKey: key,
-		WgPort:       33100,
-		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-	}, EngineServices{
-		SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
-		MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{SyncFunc: syncFunc},
-		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
-		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
-	}, MobileDependency{})
-	engine.ctx = ctx
-
-	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
-		UpdateDNSServerFunc: func(serial uint64, update nbdns.Config) error { return nil },
-	}
-
-	defer func() {
-		err := engine.Stop()
-		if err != nil {
-			return
-		}
-	}()
-
-	err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	peer1 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
-		WgPubKey:   "RRHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX7+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LfhU=",
-		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.10/24"},
-	}
-	peer2 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
-		WgPubKey:   "LLHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX9+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LlhU=",
-		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.11/24"},
-	}
-	peer3 := &mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{
-		WgPubKey:   "GGHf3Ma6z6mdLbriAJbqhX9+nM/B71lgw2+91q3LlhU=",
-		AllowedIps: []string{"100.64.0.12/24"},
-	}
-	// 1st update with just 1 peer and serial larger than the current serial of the engine => apply update
-	updates <- &mgmtProto.SyncResponse{
-		NetworkMap: &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
-			Serial:             10,
-			PeerConfig:         nil,
-			RemotePeers:        []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peer1, peer2, peer3},
-			RemotePeersIsEmpty: false,
-		},
-	}
-
-	timeout := time.After(time.Second * 2)
-	for {
-		select {
-		case <-timeout:
-			t.Fatalf("timeout while waiting for test to finish")
-			return
-		default:
 		}
 
-		if getPeers(engine) == 3 && engine.networkSerial == 10 {
+		more, err := engine.updateNetworkMap(nm, 1, true)
-			break
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.True(t, more, "pass 1 should signal more")
+		require.Len(t, engine.peerStore.PeersPubKey(), 1)
+
+		more, err = engine.updateNetworkMap(nm, 1, false)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.True(t, more, "pass 2 should signal more")
+		require.Len(t, engine.peerStore.PeersPubKey(), 2)
+
+		more, err = engine.updateNetworkMap(nm, 1, false)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.False(t, more, "pass 3 should converge")
+		require.Len(t, engine.peerStore.PeersPubKey(), 3)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("chunked remove converges over multiple passes", func(t *testing.T) {
+		nm := &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{
+			Serial:      7,
+			RemotePeers: []*mgmtProto.RemotePeerConfig{peer1}, // remove peer2, peer3
 		}
-	}
+
+		more, err := engine.updateNetworkMap(nm, 1, true)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.True(t, more, "pass 1 should signal more (2 to remove, cap 1)")
+
+		more, err = engine.updateNetworkMap(nm, 1, false)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.False(t, more, "pass 2 should converge")
+		require.Len(t, engine.peerStore.PeersPubKey(), 1)
+	})
 }
 
 func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithRoutes(t *testing.T) {
@@ -817,7 +602,7 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithRoutes(t *testing.T) {
 				return
 			}
 
-			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
 			defer cancel()
 
 			wgIfaceName := fmt.Sprintf("utun%d", 104+n)
@@ -890,7 +675,7 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithRoutes(t *testing.T) {
 				}
 			}()
 
-			err = engine.updateNetworkMap(testCase.networkMap)
+			_, err = engine.updateNetworkMap(testCase.networkMap, maxPeersPerSyncPass, true)
 			assert.NoError(t, err, "shouldn't return error")
 			assert.Equal(t, testCase.expectedSerial, input.inputSerial, "serial should match")
 			assert.Len(t, input.clientRoutes, testCase.expectedLen, "clientRoutes len should match")
@@ -1024,7 +809,7 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithDNSUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				return
 			}
 
-			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
 			defer cancel()
 
 			wgIfaceName := fmt.Sprintf("utun%d", 104+n)
@@ -1094,7 +879,7 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithDNSUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				}
 			}()
 
-			err = engine.updateNetworkMap(testCase.networkMap)
+			_, err = engine.updateNetworkMap(testCase.networkMap, maxPeersPerSyncPass, true)
 			assert.NoError(t, err, "shouldn't return error")
 			assert.Equal(t, testCase.expectedSerial, input.inputSerial, "serial should match")
 			assert.Len(t, input.inputNSGroups, testCase.expectedZonesLen, "zones len should match")
@@ -1105,104 +890,6 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithDNSUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestEngine_MultiplePeers(t *testing.T) {
-	// log.SetLevel(log.DebugLevel)
-
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(CtxInitState(context.Background()))
-	defer cancel()
-
-	sigServer, signalAddr, err := startSignal(t)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-	defer sigServer.Stop()
-	mgmtServer, mgmtAddr, err := startManagement(t, t.TempDir(), "../testdata/store.sql")
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-		return
-	}
-	defer mgmtServer.GracefulStop()
-
-	setupKey := "A2C8E62B-38F5-4553-B31E-DD66C696CEBB"
-
-	mu := sync.Mutex{}
-	engines := []*Engine{}
-	numPeers := 10
-	wg := sync.WaitGroup{}
-	wg.Add(numPeers)
-	// create and start peers
-	for i := 0; i < numPeers; i++ {
-		j := i
-		go func() {
-			engine, err := createEngine(ctx, cancel, setupKey, j, mgmtAddr, signalAddr)
-			if err != nil {
-				wg.Done()
-				t.Errorf("unable to create the engine for peer %d with error %v", j, err)
-				return
-			}
-			engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{}
-			mu.Lock()
-			defer mu.Unlock()
-			guid := fmt.Sprintf("{%s}", uuid.New().String())
-			device.CustomWindowsGUIDString = strings.ToLower(guid)
-			err = engine.Start(nil, nil)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Errorf("unable to start engine for peer %d with error %v", j, err)
-				wg.Done()
-				return
-			}
-			engines = append(engines, engine)
-			wg.Done()
-		}()
-	}
-
-	// wait until all have been created and started
-	wg.Wait()
-	if len(engines) != numPeers {
-		t.Fatal("not all peers was started")
-	}
-	// check whether all the peer have expected peers connected
-
-	expectedConnected := numPeers * (numPeers - 1)
-
-	// adjust according to timeouts
-	timeout := 50 * time.Second
-	timeoutChan := time.After(timeout)
-	ticker := time.NewTicker(time.Second)
-	defer ticker.Stop()
-loop:
-	for {
-		select {
-		case <-timeoutChan:
-			t.Fatalf("waiting for expected connections timeout after %s", timeout.String())
-			break loop
-		case <-ticker.C:
-			totalConnected := 0
-			for _, engine := range engines {
-				totalConnected += getConnectedPeers(engine)
-			}
-			if totalConnected == expectedConnected {
-				log.Infof("total connected=%d", totalConnected)
-				break loop
-			}
-			log.Infof("total connected=%d", totalConnected)
-		}
-	}
-	// cleanup test
-	for n, peerEngine := range engines {
-		t.Logf("stopping peer with interface %s from multipeer test, loopIndex %d", peerEngine.wgInterface.Name(), n)
-		errStop := peerEngine.mgmClient.Close()
-		if errStop != nil {
-			log.Infoln("got error trying to close management clients from engine: ", errStop)
-		}
-		errStop = peerEngine.Stop()
-		if errStop != nil {
-			log.Infoln("got error trying to close testing peers engine: ", errStop)
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 func Test_ParseNATExternalIPMappings(t *testing.T) {
 	ifaceList, err := net.Interfaces()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1526,187 +1213,6 @@ func TestCompareNetIPLists(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func createEngine(ctx context.Context, cancel context.CancelFunc, setupKey string, i int, mgmtAddr string, signalAddr string) (*Engine, error) {
-	key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	mgmtClient, err := mgmt.NewClient(ctx, mgmtAddr, key, false)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	signalClient, err := signal.NewClient(ctx, signalAddr, key, false)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	info := system.GetInfo(ctx)
-	resp, err := mgmtClient.Register(setupKey, "", info, nil, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	var ifaceName string
-	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
-		ifaceName = fmt.Sprintf("utun1%d", i)
-	} else {
-		ifaceName = fmt.Sprintf("wt%d", i)
-	}
-
-	wgPort := 33100 + i
-	conf := &EngineConfig{
-		WgIfaceName:  ifaceName,
-		WgAddr:       wgaddr.MustParseWGAddress(resp.PeerConfig.Address),
-		WgPrivateKey: key,
-		WgPort:       wgPort,
-		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-	}
-
-	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	e, err := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, conf, EngineServices{
-		SignalClient:   signalClient,
-		MgmClient:      mgmtClient,
-		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
-		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
-	}, MobileDependency{}), nil
-	e.ctx = ctx
-	return e, err
-}
-
-func startSignal(t *testing.T) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
-
-	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Fatalf("failed to listen: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	srv, err := signalServer.NewServer(context.Background(), otel.Meter(""))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	proto.RegisterSignalExchangeServer(s, srv)
-
-	go func() {
-		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
-			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
-}
-
-func startManagement(t *testing.T, dataDir, testFile string) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
-	t.Helper()
-
-	config := &config.Config{
-		Stuns:      []*config.Host{},
-		TURNConfig: &config.TURNConfig{},
-		Relay: &config.Relay{
-			Addresses:      []string{"127.0.0.1:1234"},
-			CredentialsTTL: util.Duration{Duration: time.Hour},
-			Secret:         "222222222222222222",
-		},
-		Signal: &config.Host{
-			Proto: "http",
-			URI:   "localhost:10000",
-		},
-		Datadir:    dataDir,
-		HttpConfig: nil,
-	}
-
-	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	s := grpc.NewServer(grpc.KeepaliveEnforcementPolicy(kaep), grpc.KeepaliveParams(kasp))
-
-	store, cleanUp, err := store.NewTestStoreFromSQL(context.Background(), testFile, config.Datadir)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	t.Cleanup(cleanUp)
-
-	eventStore := &activity.InMemoryEventStore{}
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-
-	permissionsManager := permissions.NewManager(store)
-	peersManager := peers.NewManager(store, permissionsManager)
-	jobManager := job.NewJobManager(nil, store, peersManager)
-
-	cacheStore, err := nbcache.NewStore(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond, 300*time.Millisecond, 100)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-
-	ia, _ := validator.NewIntegratedValidator(context.Background(), peersManager, nil, eventStore, cacheStore)
-
-	metrics, err := telemetry.NewDefaultAppMetrics(context.Background())
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
-	t.Cleanup(ctrl.Finish)
-	settingsMockManager := settings.NewMockManager(ctrl)
-	settingsMockManager.EXPECT().
-		GetSettings(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
-		Return(&types.Settings{}, nil).
-		AnyTimes()
-	settingsMockManager.EXPECT().
-		GetExtraSettings(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
-		Return(&types.ExtraSettings{}, nil).
-		AnyTimes()
-
-	groupsManager := groups.NewManagerMock()
-
-	updateManager := update_channel.NewPeersUpdateManager(metrics)
-	requestBuffer := server.NewAccountRequestBuffer(context.Background(), store)
-	networkMapController := controller.NewController(context.Background(), store, metrics, updateManager, requestBuffer, server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, settingsMockManager, "netbird.selfhosted", port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), manager.NewEphemeralManager(store, peersManager), config)
-	accountManager, err := server.BuildManager(context.Background(), config, store, networkMapController, jobManager, nil, "", eventStore, nil, false, ia, metrics, port_forwarding.NewControllerMock(), settingsMockManager, permissionsManager, false, cacheStore)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-
-	secretsManager, err := nbgrpc.NewTimeBasedAuthSecretsManager(updateManager, config.TURNConfig, config.Relay, settingsMockManager, groupsManager)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	mgmtServer, err := nbgrpc.NewServer(config, accountManager, settingsMockManager, jobManager, secretsManager, nil, nil, &server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, networkMapController, nil, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, "", err
-	}
-	mgmtProto.RegisterManagementServiceServer(s, mgmtServer)
-	go func() {
-		if err = s.Serve(lis); err != nil {
-			log.Fatalf("failed to serve: %v", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	return s, lis.Addr().String(), nil
-}
-
-// getConnectedPeers returns a connection Status or nil if peer connection wasn't found
-func getConnectedPeers(e *Engine) int {
-	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
-	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
-	i := 0
-	for _, id := range e.peerStore.PeersPubKey() {
-		conn, _ := e.peerStore.PeerConn(id)
-		if conn.IsConnected() {
-			i++
-		}
-	}
-	return i
-}
-
-func getPeers(e *Engine) int {
-	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
-	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
-
-	return len(e.peerStore.PeersPubKey())
-}
-
 func mustEncodePrefix(t *testing.T, p netip.Prefix) []byte {
 	t.Helper()
 	b, err := netiputil.EncodePrefix(p)

client/internal/iface_common.go

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

client/internal/lazyconn/activity/listener_bind.go

@@ -119,15 +119,16 @@ func (d *BindListener) ReadPackets() {
 	}
 
 	d.peerCfg.Log.Debugf("removing lazy endpoint for peer %s", d.peerCfg.PublicKey)
-	if err := d.wgIface.RemovePeer(d.peerCfg.PublicKey); err != nil {
-		d.peerCfg.Log.Errorf("failed to remove endpoint: %s", err)
-	}
-
 	_ = d.lazyConn.Close()
 	d.bind.RemoveEndpoint(d.fakeIP)
 	d.done.Done()
 }
 
+// CapturedPacket is unused in userspace bind mode: first-packet reinjection is kernel-only.
+func (d *BindListener) CapturedPacket() []byte {
+	return nil
+}
+
 // Close stops the listener and cleans up resources.
 func (d *BindListener) Close() {
 	d.peerCfg.Log.Infof("closing activity listener (LazyConn)")

client/internal/lazyconn/activity/listener_bind_test.go

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

client/internal/lazyconn/activity/listener_udp.go

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

client/internal/lazyconn/activity/manager.go

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

client/internal/lazyconn/activity/manager_test.go

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

client/internal/lazyconn/env.go

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

client/internal/lazyconn/env_test.go

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

client/internal/lazyconn/manager/manager.go

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

client/internal/lazyconn/wgiface.go

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

client/internal/mapsync.go

@@ -0,0 +1,214 @@
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
+)
+
+// mapStateManager is the single read/write point between the management stream
+// (writes) and the convergence loop (reads/applies).
+//
+// The stream calls SetTarget with the latest full SyncResponse — the complete
+// desired state. A single background goroutine (run) applies it to the engine in
+// bounded passes via apply() until converged, releasing syncMsgMux between passes
+// so other subsystems interleave. If a newer update arrives mid-flight, the loop
+// coalesces: it keeps converging toward the latest target and the intermediate one
+// is SKIPPED — never applied on its own (logged, no onConverged).
+//
+// Convergence is a single comparison: appliedGen == targetGen. targetGen
+// increments on every SetTarget (an internal generation counter, so it also covers
+// config-only updates that carry no network-map serial).
+//
+// onConverged fires once for each — and only each — map that is actually processed
+// (i.e. converged as the target). Skipped/superseded maps and dropped-on-error maps
+// do NOT fire it. So "sync finished in X" / RecordSyncDuration always corresponds
+// to a real, completed alignment.
+type mapStateManager struct {
+	// apply performs one bounded apply pass and reports whether more passes are needed.
+	// firstPass is true on the first pass of a given target, so the caller can run
+	// wholesale (firewall/routes/DNS/forward-rules) once per target and skip it on the
+	// re-runs that only drain the bounded peer batches. The manager owns this signal
+	// because it owns the convergence boundary; the engine need not track serials for it.
+	apply func(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse, firstPass bool) (bool, error)
+	// onConverged is called once per processed map, with the elapsed time since that
+	// map was received (for the sync-duration metric / "sync finished" log).
+	onConverged func(time.Duration)
+	// persist snapshots an update to disk for restore-on-restart. Called once per
+	// update received from management (in SetTarget), including ones later coalesced
+	// or skipped from apply, so the on-disk state mirrors what management last sent.
+	// The impl skips config-only updates (nil NetworkMap). May be nil.
+	persist func(*mgmProto.SyncResponse)
+
+	mu          sync.Mutex
+	target      *mgmProto.SyncResponse
+	targetGen   uint64
+	appliedGen  uint64
+	targetSetAt time.Time
+
+	wake chan struct{}
+}
+
+func newMapStateManager(apply func(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse, firstPass bool) (bool, error), persist func(*mgmProto.SyncResponse), onConverged func(time.Duration)) *mapStateManager {
+	return &mapStateManager{
+		apply:       apply,
+		persist:     persist,
+		onConverged: onConverged,
+		wake:        make(chan struct{}, 1),
+	}
+}
+
+// SetTarget records the latest update as the desired state and wakes the loop.
+// It returns immediately; convergence happens in the background. Serial-based
+// staleness of the network map is still enforced inside apply (updateNetworkMap).
+func (m *mapStateManager) SetTarget(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) error {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	// A target that has not settled yet (targetGen > appliedGen) is being superseded
+	// before it converged: we coalesce to the latest map and never apply this one on
+	// its own. It is SKIPPED — logged here, and it will not fire onConverged.
+	if m.target != nil && m.targetGen > m.appliedGen {
+		log.Debugf("sync map (gen %d) superseded before convergence, skipping", m.targetGen)
+	}
+	m.target = m.mergeTarget(m.target, update)
+	// Bump an internal generation counter, NOT the map serial: config-only updates
+	// (relay token rotation, STUN/TURN) arrive with NetworkMap == nil and carry no
+	// serial, yet must still be applied. Every SetTarget is therefore a distinct
+	// target regardless of payload. Map-serial staleness is enforced separately
+	// inside apply (updateNetworkMap).
+	m.targetGen++
+	m.targetSetAt = time.Now()
+	m.mu.Unlock()
+
+	select {
+	case m.wake <- struct{}{}:
+	default:
+	}
+
+	// Persist every update received from management — once per update (not per apply
+	// pass), and including ones that get coalesced/skipped from apply, so the on-disk
+	// state always reflects the latest map management sent. Done after waking the loop
+	// so convergence can start in parallel with the disk write. The persist impl skips
+	// config-only updates (nil NetworkMap).
+	if m.persist != nil {
+		m.persist(update)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// mergeTarget combines the currently pending target with a freshly received update
+// and returns the new desired state. It is called under m.mu from SetTarget and is
+// the single seam where the replace-vs-squash decision lives.
+//
+// Today management always sends a FULL map (the complete desired state), so the
+// update simply replaces whatever was pending — prev is ignored. When management
+// starts sending incremental/delta updates, squash `update` onto `prev` here; the
+// rest of the manager (generation tracking, convergence, signaling) is unaffected
+// because it already treats target as "the complete desired state, whatever it is".
+func (m *mapStateManager) mergeTarget(prev, update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) *mgmProto.SyncResponse {
+	// Nothing pending to preserve (no prev, or prev already fully applied): plain replace.
+	if prev == nil || update == nil || m.targetGen == m.appliedGen {
+		return update
+	}
+
+	// prev still has unapplied state (targetGen > appliedGen). In the sync protocol a
+	// nil component means "no change", so if `update` omits a component that prev
+	// carried, carry prev's forward — otherwise coalescing an update that superseded a
+	// not-yet-applied one would silently drop the map or config it uniquely brought.
+	// A present component in `update` is newer and wins. Management may send map-only
+	// updates (nil config) and config-only updates (nil map); both are handled here.
+	// A nil component in `update` means "no change", so fill it in from prev — otherwise
+	// coalescing an update that superseded a not-yet-applied one would drop the map or
+	// config it uniquely carried. A present component in `update` is newer and wins.
+	// We mutate `update` in place: it is a fresh per-message allocation from the sync
+	// stream (see receiveUpdatesEvents — not reused), and persisting this squashed target
+	// is correct, since it is the current full (superset) desired state.
+	if update.GetNetworkMap() == nil && prev.GetNetworkMap() != nil {
+		update.NetworkMap = prev.GetNetworkMap()
+		update.Checks = prev.Checks // checks travel with the map
+	}
+	if update.GetNetbirdConfig() == nil && prev.GetNetbirdConfig() != nil {
+		update.NetbirdConfig = prev.GetNetbirdConfig()
+	}
+	return update
+}
+
+// run drives convergence until ctx is done. It is meant to run in its own goroutine.
+func (m *mapStateManager) run(ctx context.Context) {
+	// passGen is the generation of the most recent apply() call (0 = none). A pass is
+	// the first for its target when its generation differs from the previous one —
+	// true on a fresh target and on a coalesced switch to a newer target mid-flight.
+	var passGen uint64
+	for {
+		m.mu.Lock()
+		target, tg, ag := m.target, m.targetGen, m.appliedGen
+		m.mu.Unlock()
+
+		// Fully converged (or nothing yet): block until a new target arrives.
+		if target == nil || ag == tg {
+			select {
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				return
+			case <-m.wake:
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+
+		firstPass := tg != passGen
+		passGen = tg
+		more, err := m.apply(target, firstPass)
+		if err != nil {
+			if ctx.Err() != nil {
+				return
+			}
+			// Log and DROP this target — do not retry it. A deterministic failure
+			// (e.g. a malformed peer in the map) would otherwise spin every pass
+			// making no progress. Management is the source of truth and re-delivers
+			// the full map on the next sync, so dropping is safe; peers already
+			// applied this convergence stay (idempotent diffs) and the remainder is
+			// reconciled by the next target. Mirrors the legacy handleSync path,
+			// where the apply error was logged by the gRPC client and the update
+			// dropped. No onConverged: this target did not converge.
+			log.Errorf("apply sync pass, dropping update: %v", err)
+			m.settle(tg, false)
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if more {
+			// keep converging the current target; syncMsgMux was released by apply
+			// between passes so other subsystems interleave.
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// This pass converged. Mark applied and signal this one map.
+		m.settle(tg, true)
+		// if a newer target arrived mid-pass, settle is a no-op (targetGen != tg) and
+		// ag<tg next iteration -> apply it; this generation was skipped (logged in
+		// SetTarget) and is not signaled.
+	}
+}
+
+// settle marks generation tg as processed so the loop goes idle instead of
+// re-applying the same target. It is a no-op when a newer target arrived during the
+// pass (targetGen != tg), leaving appliedGen behind so that target re-applies — the
+// just-finished generation was already counted as skipped.
+//
+// When signal is true (the pass converged) it fires onConverged once for this map;
+// when false (the target was dropped on error) it does not — the map did not converge.
+func (m *mapStateManager) settle(tg uint64, signal bool) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	if m.targetGen != tg {
+		m.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	m.appliedGen = tg
+	setAt := m.targetSetAt
+	m.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if signal && m.onConverged != nil {
+		m.onConverged(time.Since(setAt))
+	}
+}

client/internal/mapsync_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,281 @@
+package internal
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
+)
+
+// mergeTarget fills components missing from the incoming update with the pending
+// (not-yet-applied) prev's, in place, so a coalesced/superseded update does not drop
+// the map or config it uniquely carried.
+func TestMapStateManager_MergeTargetPreservesPendingState(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newMapStateManager(nil, nil, nil)
+
+	// config-only update while a full map is still converging (targetGen > appliedGen):
+	// the pending map (+ checks) is filled into the update in place
+	m.targetGen, m.appliedGen = 5, 4
+	prev := &mgmProto.SyncResponse{NetworkMap: &mgmProto.NetworkMap{Serial: 5}}
+	update := &mgmProto.SyncResponse{NetbirdConfig: &mgmProto.NetbirdConfig{}}
+	merged := m.mergeTarget(prev, update)
+	require.Same(t, update, merged, "merges in place, returns the update")
+	require.EqualValues(t, 5, merged.GetNetworkMap().GetSerial(), "pending map preserved")
+	require.NotNil(t, merged.GetNetbirdConfig(), "new config kept")
+
+	// symmetric: map-only update while a config-only update is pending -> keep the config
+	m.targetGen, m.appliedGen = 5, 4
+	prev = &mgmProto.SyncResponse{NetbirdConfig: &mgmProto.NetbirdConfig{}}
+	update = &mgmProto.SyncResponse{NetworkMap: &mgmProto.NetworkMap{Serial: 7}}
+	merged = m.mergeTarget(prev, update)
+	require.EqualValues(t, 7, merged.GetNetworkMap().GetSerial(), "new map kept")
+	require.NotNil(t, merged.GetNetbirdConfig(), "pending config preserved")
+
+	// prev already applied (targetGen == appliedGen): plain replace, no fill-in
+	m.targetGen, m.appliedGen = 5, 5
+	prev = &mgmProto.SyncResponse{NetworkMap: &mgmProto.NetworkMap{Serial: 5}}
+	update = &mgmProto.SyncResponse{NetbirdConfig: &mgmProto.NetbirdConfig{}}
+	merged = m.mergeTarget(prev, update)
+	require.Same(t, update, merged)
+	require.Nil(t, merged.GetNetworkMap(), "no map grafted when prev already applied")
+
+	// nothing to carry (update has a map, prev has no config): plain replace
+	m.targetGen, m.appliedGen = 5, 4
+	prev = &mgmProto.SyncResponse{NetworkMap: &mgmProto.NetworkMap{Serial: 5}}
+	update = &mgmProto.SyncResponse{NetworkMap: &mgmProto.NetworkMap{Serial: 6}}
+	require.Same(t, update, m.mergeTarget(prev, update))
+}
+
+// converges over the bounded passes (apply returns more until the 3rd pass),
+// fires onConverged exactly once, then blocks (no further apply) until a new target.
+func TestMapStateManager_ConvergesThenStops(t *testing.T) {
+	var passes int32
+	var firstPasses int32
+	converged := make(chan struct{}, 1)
+
+	apply := func(_ *mgmProto.SyncResponse, firstPass bool) (bool, error) {
+		n := atomic.AddInt32(&passes, 1)
+		if firstPass {
+			atomic.AddInt32(&firstPasses, 1)
+		}
+		return n < 3, nil // more on pass 1 and 2, converge on pass 3
+	}
+	m := newMapStateManager(apply, nil, func(time.Duration) { converged <- struct{}{} })
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	go m.run(ctx)
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.SetTarget(&mgmProto.SyncResponse{}))
+
+	select {
+	case <-converged:
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("manager did not converge")
+	}
+	require.EqualValues(t, 3, atomic.LoadInt32(&passes))
+	require.EqualValues(t, 1, atomic.LoadInt32(&firstPasses), "firstPass true only on pass 1, false on re-runs of the same target")
+
+	// once converged the loop blocks: no further apply calls
+	time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	require.EqualValues(t, 3, atomic.LoadInt32(&passes), "apply must not run after convergence")
+}
+
+// persist runs once per received update (not per apply pass), regardless of how many
+// bounded passes that target takes to converge.
+func TestMapStateManager_PersistsOncePerUpdate(t *testing.T) {
+	var passes, persists int32
+	converged := make(chan struct{}, 1)
+	apply := func(_ *mgmProto.SyncResponse, _ bool) (bool, error) {
+		n := atomic.AddInt32(&passes, 1)
+		return n < 3, nil // 3 passes for one target
+	}
+	persist := func(*mgmProto.SyncResponse) { atomic.AddInt32(&persists, 1) }
+	m := newMapStateManager(apply, persist, func(time.Duration) { converged <- struct{}{} })
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	go m.run(ctx)
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.SetTarget(&mgmProto.SyncResponse{}))
+	select {
+	case <-converged:
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("did not converge")
+	}
+	require.EqualValues(t, 3, atomic.LoadInt32(&passes))
+	require.EqualValues(t, 1, atomic.LoadInt32(&persists), "persist once per update, not per pass")
+}
+
+// every update received from management is persisted — even one that is coalesced /
+// skipped from apply before it ever converges.
+func TestMapStateManager_PersistsEveryUpdateIncludingSkipped(t *testing.T) {
+	release := make(chan struct{})
+	var persists int32
+	apply := func(_ *mgmProto.SyncResponse, _ bool) (bool, error) {
+		<-release // hold the first apply so the second update coalesces/skips
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	persist := func(*mgmProto.SyncResponse) { atomic.AddInt32(&persists, 1) }
+	m := newMapStateManager(apply, persist, nil)
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	go m.run(ctx)
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.SetTarget(&mgmProto.SyncResponse{})) // map1 -> apply blocks
+	require.NoError(t, m.SetTarget(&mgmProto.SyncResponse{})) // map2 supersedes map1 (skipped from apply)
+	close(release)
+
+	// both updates persisted even though map1 is skipped from apply
+	require.Eventually(t, func() bool { return atomic.LoadInt32(&persists) == 2 }, 2*time.Second, 10*time.Millisecond)
+}
+
+// each map that is actually processed (converged before the next arrives) fires
+// onConverged exactly once — mirroring the legacy per-message handleSync timing.
+func TestMapStateManager_SignalsEachProcessedMap(t *testing.T) {
+	converged := make(chan struct{}, 8)
+	apply := func(_ *mgmProto.SyncResponse, _ bool) (bool, error) {
+		return false, nil // converge in one pass
+	}
+	m := newMapStateManager(apply, nil, func(time.Duration) { converged <- struct{}{} })
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	go m.run(ctx)
+
+	const maps = 3
+	for i := 0; i < maps; i++ {
+		require.NoError(t, m.SetTarget(&mgmProto.SyncResponse{}))
+		select { // wait for this map to converge before sending the next (no coalescing)
+		case <-converged:
+		case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+			t.Fatalf("map %d not signaled", i)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// no extra signals once the stream goes quiet
+	select {
+	case <-converged:
+		t.Fatal("unexpected extra onConverged")
+	case <-time.After(100 * time.Millisecond):
+	}
+}
+
+// a map superseded before it converges is skipped: only the latest (processed) map
+// fires onConverged, not the skipped one.
+func TestMapStateManager_SkippedMapNotSignaled(t *testing.T) {
+	release := make(chan struct{})
+	var applies, converged atomic.Int32
+	apply := func(_ *mgmProto.SyncResponse, _ bool) (bool, error) {
+		applies.Add(1)
+		<-release // hold the first apply in-flight so we can queue a newer target
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	m := newMapStateManager(apply, nil, func(time.Duration) { converged.Add(1) })
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	go m.run(ctx)
+
+	// map1 is picked up; its apply blocks on release
+	require.NoError(t, m.SetTarget(&mgmProto.SyncResponse{}))
+	require.Eventually(t, func() bool { return applies.Load() >= 1 }, 2*time.Second, 5*time.Millisecond)
+
+	// map2 supersedes map1 before it settled -> map1 is skipped
+	require.NoError(t, m.SetTarget(&mgmProto.SyncResponse{}))
+	close(release) // let both applies proceed
+
+	// only the processed (latest) map signals; the skipped one does not
+	require.Eventually(t, func() bool { return converged.Load() == 1 }, 2*time.Second, 10*time.Millisecond)
+	time.Sleep(150 * time.Millisecond)
+	require.EqualValues(t, 1, converged.Load(), "skipped map must not fire onConverged")
+	require.EqualValues(t, 2, applies.Load(), "both targets entered apply (map1 once, map2 once)")
+}
+
+// an apply error drops the target: no retry of the same target, no onConverged,
+// the loop goes idle — and a fresh target is still applied afterwards.
+func TestMapStateManager_DropsTargetOnError(t *testing.T) {
+	applied := make(chan struct{}, 8)
+	var failNext atomic.Bool
+	failNext.Store(true)
+
+	apply := func(_ *mgmProto.SyncResponse, _ bool) (bool, error) {
+		applied <- struct{}{}
+		if failNext.Load() {
+			return false, errors.New("boom")
+		}
+		return false, nil // converge in one pass
+	}
+	var converged atomic.Int32
+	m := newMapStateManager(apply, nil, func(time.Duration) { converged.Add(1) })
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	go m.run(ctx)
+
+	// first target errors -> applied once, then dropped (no retry, no onConverged)
+	require.NoError(t, m.SetTarget(&mgmProto.SyncResponse{}))
+	select {
+	case <-applied:
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("errored target not applied")
+	}
+	select {
+	case <-applied:
+		t.Fatal("errored target must not be retried")
+	case <-time.After(150 * time.Millisecond):
+	}
+	require.EqualValues(t, 0, converged.Load(), "onConverged must not fire on error")
+
+	// a new target is still processed normally and converges
+	failNext.Store(false)
+	require.NoError(t, m.SetTarget(&mgmProto.SyncResponse{}))
+	select {
+	case <-applied:
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("new target after error not applied")
+	}
+	require.Eventually(t, func() bool { return converged.Load() == 1 }, 2*time.Second, 10*time.Millisecond)
+}
+
+// a new target after convergence triggers a fresh apply; an idle (converged)
+// manager does not apply on its own.
+func TestMapStateManager_ReappliesOnNewTarget(t *testing.T) {
+	applied := make(chan struct{}, 8)
+	apply := func(_ *mgmProto.SyncResponse, _ bool) (bool, error) {
+		applied <- struct{}{}
+		return false, nil // converge in one pass
+	}
+	m := newMapStateManager(apply, nil, nil)
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	go m.run(ctx)
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.SetTarget(&mgmProto.SyncResponse{}))
+	select {
+	case <-applied:
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("first target not applied")
+	}
+
+	// converged → must stay idle (no spurious apply)
+	select {
+	case <-applied:
+		t.Fatal("unexpected apply while idle/converged")
+	case <-time.After(150 * time.Millisecond):
+	}
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.SetTarget(&mgmProto.SyncResponse{}))
+	select {
+	case <-applied:
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("new target not applied")
+	}
+}

client/internal/metrics/env.go

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

client/internal/metrics/influxdb.go

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

client/internal/metrics/infra/README.md

@@ -78,6 +78,25 @@ Tags:
 - `os`: Operating system (linux, darwin, windows, android, ios, etc.)
 - `arch`: CPU architecture (amd64, arm64, etc.)
 
+### Sync Phase Timing
+
+Measurement: `netbird_sync_phase`
+
+Breaks down where time goes inside a single sync, so the total `netbird_sync` duration can be attributed to the sub-step that dominates.
+
+| Field | Description |
+|-------|-------------|
+| `duration_seconds` | Time spent in one sub-phase of sync processing |
+
+Tags:
+- `phase`: the sub-phase — `netbird_config`, `checks`, `persist`, `dns_server`, `routes_classify`, `routes_apply`, `filtering`, `dns_forwarder`, `forward_rules`, `offline_peers`, `removed_peers`, `modified_peers`, `added_peers`, `lazy_exclude`
+- `deployment_type`: "cloud" | "selfhosted" | "unknown"
+- `version`: NetBird version string
+- `os`: Operating system (linux, darwin, windows, android, ios, etc.)
+- `arch`: CPU architecture (amd64, arm64, etc.)
+
+**Note:** this is wall-time per phase — it includes both CPU work and time spent waiting on locks. A slow phase points to *where* the time goes, not *why*; pair it with lock-wait metrics to tell contention apart from real work.
+
 ### Login Duration
 
 Measurement: `netbird_login`
@@ -192,3 +211,51 @@ docker compose exec influxdb influx query \
 # Check ingest server health
 curl http://localhost:8087/health
 ```
+
+## Analyzing a Debug Bundle
+
+Metrics collection is always on, so every debug bundle ships a `metrics.txt` in InfluxDB line protocol — a timestamped time series of all recorded events (sync durations, sync phases, connection stages, login). You can replay it into the local stack and graph it, without a running client.
+
+The bundle's `metrics.txt` is a rolling window (capped at 5 days / ~20k samples, see [Buffer Limits](#buffer-limits)). For a connection incident the relevant window is short (connection setup is seconds), so a bundle captured during the issue is enough.
+
+### 1. Start the stack
+
+```bash
+# From this directory (client/internal/metrics/infra)
+INFLUXDB_ADMIN_TOKEN=admin123 INFLUXDB_ADMIN_PASSWORD=admin123 GRAFANA_ADMIN_PASSWORD=admin123 \
+  docker compose up -d
+```
+
+(`admin123` are throwaway local credentials — fine for offline analysis.)
+
+### 2. Clear any previous data
+
+So you only see this bundle:
+
+```bash
+docker exec influxdb influx delete --org netbird --bucket metrics --token admin123 \
+  --start 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z --stop 2100-01-01T00:00:00Z
+```
+
+### 3. Import the bundle's metrics.txt
+
+InfluxDB is not exposed on the host, so import inside the container:
+
+```bash
+docker cp /path/to/bundle/metrics.txt influxdb:/tmp/m.txt
+docker exec influxdb influx write --org netbird --bucket metrics --precision ns \
+  --token admin123 --file /tmp/m.txt
+```
+
+Re-importing the same file is idempotent (same measurement+tags+timestamp overwrites).
+
+### 4. View the dashboards
+
+Grafana on http://localhost:3001 (login `admin` / `admin123`), datasource pre-provisioned:
+
+- **Where sync time goes:** http://localhost:3001/d/netbird-sync-phases/netbird-sync-phases-where-time-goes
+- **General client metrics:** http://localhost:3001/d/netbird-influxdb-metrics
+
+**Set the time range** to cover the bundle's timestamps (e.g. "Last 7 days" or an absolute range matching when the bundle was taken) — with the default short range the panels look empty.
+
+Bundles are distinguishable by the `version` tag; add a tag at import time (e.g. `sed 's/^netbird_\([a-z_]*\),/netbird_\1,bundle=mycase,/' metrics.txt`) if you want to compare several side by side.

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

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

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

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

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

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

client/internal/metrics/metrics.go

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

client/internal/metrics/push_test.go

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

client/internal/peer/conn.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
 	"runtime"
+	"slices"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
@@ -136,6 +137,39 @@ type Conn struct {
 	// Connection stage timestamps for metrics
 	metricsRecorder MetricsRecorder
 	metricsStages   *MetricsStages
+
+	// pendingFirstPacket is the lazyconn-captured handshake init, replayed once the real
+	// transport is up.
+	pendingFirstPacket []byte
+}
+
+// injectPendingFirstPacket replays the captured handshake through the proxy if present, else
+// directly through the ICE conn. The packet is cleared only after a successful write, so a failed
+// or transport-less attempt leaves it available for a later reinjection. Caller must hold conn.mu.
+func (conn *Conn) injectPendingFirstPacket(proxy wgproxy.Proxy, directConn net.Conn) {
+	pkt := conn.pendingFirstPacket
+	if len(pkt) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	switch {
+	case proxy != nil:
+		if err := proxy.InjectPacket(pkt); err != nil {
+			conn.Log.Debugf("failed to reinject captured first packet via proxy: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+	case directConn != nil:
+		if _, err := directConn.Write(pkt); err != nil {
+			conn.Log.Debugf("failed to reinject captured first packet via direct conn: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+	default:
+		conn.Log.Debugf("no transport available to reinject captured first packet")
+		return
+	}
+
+	conn.pendingFirstPacket = nil
+	conn.Log.Debugf("reinjected captured first packet (%d bytes)", len(pkt))
 }
 
 // NewConn creates a new not opened Conn to the remote peer.
@@ -172,6 +206,16 @@ func NewConn(config ConnConfig, services ServiceDependencies) (*Conn, error) {
 // It will try to establish a connection using ICE and in parallel with relay. The higher priority connection type will
 // be used.
 func (conn *Conn) Open(engineCtx context.Context) error {
+	return conn.open(engineCtx, nil)
+}
+
+// OpenWithFirstPacket opens the connection like Open and stashes firstPacket to be replayed once
+// the real transport is established. The packet is retained only on a successful open.
+func (conn *Conn) OpenWithFirstPacket(engineCtx context.Context, firstPacket []byte) error {
+	return conn.open(engineCtx, firstPacket)
+}
+
+func (conn *Conn) open(engineCtx context.Context, firstPacket []byte) error {
 	conn.mu.Lock()
 	defer conn.mu.Unlock()
 
@@ -227,6 +271,9 @@ func (conn *Conn) Open(engineCtx context.Context) error {
 		defer conn.wg.Done()
 		conn.guard.Start(conn.ctx, conn.onGuardEvent)
 	}()
+	if len(firstPacket) > 0 {
+		conn.pendingFirstPacket = slices.Clone(firstPacket)
+	}
 	conn.opened = true
 	return nil
 }
@@ -423,6 +470,8 @@ func (conn *Conn) onICEConnectionIsReady(priority conntype.ConnPriority, iceConn
 		conn.wgProxyRelay.RedirectAs(ep)
 	}
 
+	conn.injectPendingFirstPacket(wgProxy, iceConnInfo.RemoteConn)
+
 	conn.currentConnPriority = priority
 	conn.statusICE.SetConnected()
 	conn.updateIceState(iceConnInfo, updateTime)
@@ -546,6 +595,8 @@ func (conn *Conn) onRelayConnectionIsReady(rci RelayConnInfo) {
 
 	wgConfigWorkaround()
 
+	conn.injectPendingFirstPacket(wgProxy, nil)
+
 	conn.rosenpassRemoteKey = rci.rosenpassPubKey
 	conn.currentConnPriority = conntype.Relay
 	conn.statusRelay.SetConnected()
@@ -752,15 +803,17 @@ func (conn *Conn) isConnectedOnAllWay() (status guard.ConnStatus) {
 }
 
 func (conn *Conn) enableWgWatcherIfNeeded(enabledTime time.Time) {
-	if !conn.wgWatcher.IsEnabled() {
+	if !conn.wgWatcher.PrepareInitialHandshake() {
-		wgWatcherCtx, wgWatcherCancel := context.WithCancel(conn.ctx)
+		return
-		conn.wgWatcherCancel = wgWatcherCancel
-		conn.wgWatcherWg.Add(1)
-		go func() {
-			defer conn.wgWatcherWg.Done()
-			conn.wgWatcher.EnableWgWatcher(wgWatcherCtx, enabledTime, conn.onWGDisconnected, conn.onWGHandshakeSuccess)
-		}()
 	}
+
+	wgWatcherCtx, wgWatcherCancel := context.WithCancel(conn.ctx)
+	conn.wgWatcherCancel = wgWatcherCancel
+	conn.wgWatcherWg.Add(1)
+	go func() {
+		defer conn.wgWatcherWg.Done()
+		conn.wgWatcher.EnableWgWatcher(wgWatcherCtx, enabledTime, conn.onWGDisconnected, conn.onWGHandshakeSuccess)
+	}()
 }
 
 func (conn *Conn) disableWgWatcherIfNeeded() {

client/internal/peer/handshaker.go

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

client/internal/peer/status.go

@@ -192,6 +192,7 @@ func (s *StatusChangeSubscription) Events() chan map[string]RouterState {
 // Pure read methods take RLock; anything that mutates state takes Lock.
 type Status struct {
 	mux                   sync.RWMutex
+	muxRelays             sync.RWMutex
 	peers                 map[string]State
 	ipToKey               map[string]string
 	changeNotify          map[string]map[string]*StatusChangeSubscription // map[peerID]map[subscriptionID]*StatusChangeSubscription
@@ -244,8 +245,8 @@ func NewRecorder(mgmAddress string) *Status {
 }
 
 func (d *Status) SetRelayMgr(manager *relayClient.Manager) {
-	d.mux.Lock()
+	d.muxRelays.Lock()
-	defer d.mux.Unlock()
+	defer d.muxRelays.Unlock()
 	d.relayMgr = manager
 }
 
@@ -906,8 +907,8 @@ func (d *Status) MarkSignalConnected() {
 }
 
 func (d *Status) UpdateRelayStates(relayResults []relay.ProbeResult) {
-	d.mux.Lock()
+	d.muxRelays.Lock()
-	defer d.mux.Unlock()
+	defer d.muxRelays.Unlock()
 	d.relayStates = relayResults
 }
 
@@ -1018,24 +1019,26 @@ func (d *Status) GetSignalState() SignalState {
 
 // GetRelayStates returns the stun/turn/permanent relay states
 func (d *Status) GetRelayStates() []relay.ProbeResult {
-	d.mux.RLock()
+	d.muxRelays.RLock()
-	defer d.mux.RUnlock()
 	if d.relayMgr == nil {
-		return d.relayStates
+		defer d.muxRelays.RUnlock()
+		return slices.Clone(d.relayStates)
 	}
 
+	relayMgr := d.relayMgr
 	// extend the list of stun, turn servers with the relay server connections
 	relayStates := slices.Clone(d.relayStates)
+	d.muxRelays.RUnlock()
 
-	states := d.relayMgr.RelayStates()
+	states := relayMgr.RelayStates()
 	if len(states) == 0 {
 		// no relay connection tracked yet; surface configured servers as
 		// unavailable with the real reconnect error when known
 		err := relayClient.ErrRelayClientNotConnected
-		if connErr := d.relayMgr.RelayConnectError(); connErr != nil {
+		if connErr := relayMgr.RelayConnectError(); connErr != nil {
 			err = connErr
 		}
-		for _, r := range d.relayMgr.ServerURLs() {
+		for _, r := range relayMgr.ServerURLs() {
 			relayStates = append(relayStates, relay.ProbeResult{
 				URI: r,
 				Err: err,

client/internal/peer/wg_watcher.go

@@ -31,7 +31,9 @@ type WGWatcher struct {
 	stateDump     *stateDump
 
 	enabled   bool
-	muEnabled sync.RWMutex
+	muEnabled sync.Mutex
+	// initialHandshake is not thread-safe; never call PrepareInitialHandshake and EnableWgWatcher concurrently.
+	initialHandshake time.Time
 
 	resetCh chan struct{}
 }
@@ -46,38 +48,38 @@ func NewWGWatcher(log *log.Entry, wgIfaceStater WGInterfaceStater, peerKey strin
 	}
 }
 
-// EnableWgWatcher starts the WireGuard watcher. If it is already enabled, it will return immediately and do nothing.
+// PrepareInitialHandshake reserves the watcher and reads the peer's current WireGuard
-// The watcher runs until ctx is cancelled. Caller is responsible for context lifecycle management.
+// handshake time. It must be called before the peer is (re)configured on the WireGuard
-func (w *WGWatcher) EnableWgWatcher(ctx context.Context, enabledTime time.Time, onDisconnectedFn func(), onHandshakeSuccessFn func(when time.Time)) {
+// interface, so the captured baseline reflects the state prior to this connection attempt
+// instead of racing with that configuration. Returns ok=false if the watcher is already
+// running, in which case EnableWgWatcher must not be called.
+func (w *WGWatcher) PrepareInitialHandshake() (ok bool) {
 	w.muEnabled.Lock()
 	if w.enabled {
 		w.muEnabled.Unlock()
-		return
+		return false
 	}
 
 	w.log.Debugf("enable WireGuard watcher")
 	w.enabled = true
 	w.muEnabled.Unlock()
 
-	initialHandshake, err := w.wgState()
+	handshake, _ := w.wgState()
-	if err != nil {
+	w.initialHandshake = handshake
-		w.log.Warnf("failed to read initial wg stats: %v", err)
+	return true
-	}
+}
 
-	w.periodicHandshakeCheck(ctx, onDisconnectedFn, onHandshakeSuccessFn, enabledTime, initialHandshake)
+// EnableWgWatcher runs the WireGuard watcher loop using the handshake baseline captured by
+// PrepareInitialHandshake. The watcher runs until ctx is cancelled. Caller is responsible
+// for context lifecycle management.
+func (w *WGWatcher) EnableWgWatcher(ctx context.Context, enabledTime time.Time, onDisconnectedFn func(), onHandshakeSuccessFn func(when time.Time)) {
+	w.periodicHandshakeCheck(ctx, onDisconnectedFn, onHandshakeSuccessFn, enabledTime, w.initialHandshake)
 
 	w.muEnabled.Lock()
 	w.enabled = false
 	w.muEnabled.Unlock()
 }
 
-// IsEnabled returns true if the WireGuard watcher is currently enabled
-func (w *WGWatcher) IsEnabled() bool {
-	w.muEnabled.RLock()
-	defer w.muEnabled.RUnlock()
-	return w.enabled
-}
-
 // Reset signals the watcher that the WireGuard peer has been reset and a new
 // handshake is expected. This restarts the handshake timeout from scratch.
 func (w *WGWatcher) Reset() {
@@ -101,13 +103,16 @@ func (w *WGWatcher) periodicHandshakeCheck(ctx context.Context, onDisconnectedFn
 		case <-timer.C:
 			handshake, ok := w.handshakeCheck(lastHandshake)
 			if !ok {
+				if ctx.Err() != nil {
+					return
+				}
 				onDisconnectedFn()
 				return
 			}
 			if lastHandshake.IsZero() {
 				elapsed := calcElapsed(enabledTime, *handshake)
 				w.log.Infof("first wg handshake detected within: %.2fsec, (%s)", elapsed, handshake)
-				if onHandshakeSuccessFn != nil {
+				if onHandshakeSuccessFn != nil && ctx.Err() == nil {
 					onHandshakeSuccessFn(*handshake)
 				}
 			}

client/internal/peer/wg_watcher_test.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/configurer"
 )
@@ -34,6 +35,9 @@ func TestWGWatcher_EnableWgWatcher(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	defer cancel()
 
+	ok := watcher.PrepareInitialHandshake()
+	require.True(t, ok, "watcher should not be enabled yet")
+
 	onDisconnected := make(chan struct{}, 1)
 	go watcher.EnableWgWatcher(ctx, time.Now(), func() {
 		mlog.Infof("onDisconnectedFn")
@@ -62,6 +66,9 @@ func TestWGWatcher_ReEnable(t *testing.T) {
 	watcher := NewWGWatcher(mlog, mocWgIface, "", newStateDump("peer", mlog, &Status{}))
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	ok := watcher.PrepareInitialHandshake()
+	require.True(t, ok, "watcher should not be enabled yet")
+
 	wg := &sync.WaitGroup{}
 	wg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
@@ -76,6 +83,9 @@ func TestWGWatcher_ReEnable(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx, cancel = context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	defer cancel()
 
+	ok = watcher.PrepareInitialHandshake()
+	require.True(t, ok, "watcher should be re-enabled after the previous run stopped")
+
 	onDisconnected := make(chan struct{}, 1)
 	go watcher.EnableWgWatcher(ctx, time.Now(), func() {
 		onDisconnected <- struct{}{}

client/internal/peerstore/store.go

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

client/internal/profilemanager/config.go

@@ -101,8 +101,6 @@ type ConfigInput struct {
 
 	DNSLabels domain.List
 
-	LazyConnectionEnabled *bool
-
 	MTU *uint16
 }
 
@@ -180,7 +178,9 @@ type Config struct {
 
 	ClientCertKeyPair *tls.Certificate `json:"-"`
 
-	LazyConnectionEnabled bool
+	// LazyConnection is the MDM-managed lazy-connection override ("on"/"off"/"").
+	// Runtime-only: re-derived from MDM policy on each load, never persisted.
+	LazyConnection string `json:"-"`
 
 	MTU uint16
 
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.NetworkMonitor != nil && input.NetworkMonitor != config.NetworkMonitor {
+	if input.NetworkMonitor != nil && (config.NetworkMonitor == nil || *input.NetworkMonitor != *config.NetworkMonitor) {
 		log.Infof("switching Network Monitor to %t", *input.NetworkMonitor)
 		config.NetworkMonitor = input.NetworkMonitor
 		updated = true
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.ServerSSHAllowed != nil && *input.ServerSSHAllowed != *config.ServerSSHAllowed {
+	if input.ServerSSHAllowed != nil && (config.ServerSSHAllowed == nil || *input.ServerSSHAllowed != *config.ServerSSHAllowed) {
 		if *input.ServerSSHAllowed {
 			log.Infof("enabling SSH server")
 		} else {
@@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.EnableSSHRoot != nil && input.EnableSSHRoot != config.EnableSSHRoot {
+	if input.EnableSSHRoot != nil && (config.EnableSSHRoot == nil || *input.EnableSSHRoot != *config.EnableSSHRoot) {
 		if *input.EnableSSHRoot {
 			log.Infof("enabling SSH root login")
 		} else {
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.EnableSSHSFTP != nil && input.EnableSSHSFTP != config.EnableSSHSFTP {
+	if input.EnableSSHSFTP != nil && (config.EnableSSHSFTP == nil || *input.EnableSSHSFTP != *config.EnableSSHSFTP) {
 		if *input.EnableSSHSFTP {
 			log.Infof("enabling SSH SFTP subsystem")
 		} else {
@@ -474,7 +474,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding != nil && input.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding != config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding {
+	if input.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding != nil && (config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding == nil || *input.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding != *config.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding) {
 		if *input.EnableSSHLocalPortForwarding {
 			log.Infof("enabling SSH local port forwarding")
 		} else {
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding != nil && input.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding != config.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding {
+	if input.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding != nil && (config.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding == nil || *input.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding != *config.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding) {
 		if *input.EnableSSHRemotePortForwarding {
 			log.Infof("enabling SSH remote port forwarding")
 		} else {
@@ -494,7 +494,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.DisableSSHAuth != nil && input.DisableSSHAuth != config.DisableSSHAuth {
+	if input.DisableSSHAuth != nil && (config.DisableSSHAuth == nil || *input.DisableSSHAuth != *config.DisableSSHAuth) {
 		if *input.DisableSSHAuth {
 			log.Infof("disabling SSH authentication")
 		} else {
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.SSHJWTCacheTTL != nil && input.SSHJWTCacheTTL != config.SSHJWTCacheTTL {
+	if input.SSHJWTCacheTTL != nil && (config.SSHJWTCacheTTL == nil || *input.SSHJWTCacheTTL != *config.SSHJWTCacheTTL) {
 		log.Infof("updating SSH JWT cache TTL to %d seconds", *input.SSHJWTCacheTTL)
 		config.SSHJWTCacheTTL = input.SSHJWTCacheTTL
 		updated = true
@@ -587,7 +587,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.DisableNotifications != nil && input.DisableNotifications != config.DisableNotifications {
+	if input.DisableNotifications != nil && (config.DisableNotifications == nil || *input.DisableNotifications != *config.DisableNotifications) {
 		if *input.DisableNotifications {
 			log.Infof("disabling notifications")
 		} else {
@@ -632,12 +632,6 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 		updated = true
 	}
 
-	if input.LazyConnectionEnabled != nil && *input.LazyConnectionEnabled != config.LazyConnectionEnabled {
-		log.Infof("switching lazy connection to %t", *input.LazyConnectionEnabled)
-		config.LazyConnectionEnabled = *input.LazyConnectionEnabled
-		updated = true
-	}
-
 	if input.MTU != nil && *input.MTU != config.MTU {
 		log.Infof("updating MTU to %d (old value %d)", *input.MTU, config.MTU)
 		config.MTU = *input.MTU
@@ -728,6 +722,15 @@ func (config *Config) applyMDMPolicy(policy *mdm.Policy) {
 			log.Warnf("MDM wireguard port %d out of range [1,65535]; keeping previous value", v)
 		}
 	}
+
+	if v, ok := policy.GetBool(mdm.KeyLazyConnection); ok {
+		state := "off"
+		if v {
+			state = "on"
+		}
+		config.LazyConnection = state
+		logApplied(mdm.KeyLazyConnection, state)
+	}
 }
 
 // parseURL parses and validates the URL for the named service. The URL

client/internal/profilemanager/config_mdm_test.go

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

client/internal/profilemanager/config_test.go

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

client/internal/routemanager/dnsinterceptor/handler.go

@@ -226,12 +226,11 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	// pass if non A/AAAA query
+	// All query types for an intercepted domain are forwarded to the peer's
-	if r.Question[0].Qtype != dns.TypeA && r.Question[0].Qtype != dns.TypeAAAA {
+	// DNS forwarder, which owns the name. Falling through to the system
-		d.continueToNextHandler(w, r, logger, "non A/AAAA query")
+	// resolver would let it answer NXDOMAIN for a name it isn't authoritative
-		return
+	// for, poisoning the whole name (including the A/AAAA records the route
-	}
+	// does serve). The forwarder answers NODATA for types it cannot resolve.
-
 	d.mu.RLock()
 	peerKey := d.currentPeerKey
 	d.mu.RUnlock()
@@ -251,6 +250,14 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 		r.MsgHdr.AuthenticatedData = true
 	}
 
+	// Advertise EDNS0 to the forwarder so it may return an Extended DNS Error
+	// describing why a lookup failed. The OPT is stripped from the reply when
+	// the original client did not request EDNS0.
+	hadEdns := r.IsEdns0() != nil
+	if !hadEdns {
+		r.SetEdns0(dns.DefaultMsgSize, false)
+	}
+
 	upstream := net.JoinHostPort(upstreamIP.String(), strconv.FormatUint(uint64(d.forwarderPort.Load()), 10))
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), dnsTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
@@ -260,6 +267,13 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 		return
 	}
 
+	if ede, ok := resutil.ExtractEDE(reply); ok {
+		resutil.SetMeta(w, "ede", fmt.Sprintf("%d %s", ede.InfoCode, ede.ExtraText))
+	}
+	if !hadEdns {
+		resutil.StripOPT(reply)
+	}
+
 	resutil.SetMeta(w, "peer", peerKey)
 
 	reply.Id = r.Id
@@ -278,19 +292,6 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) writeDNSError(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg, logger
 	}
 }
 
-// continueToNextHandler signals the handler chain to try the next handler
-func (d *DnsInterceptor) continueToNextHandler(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg, logger *log.Entry, reason string) {
-	logger.Tracef("continuing to next handler for domain=%s reason=%s", r.Question[0].Name, reason)
-
-	resp := new(dns.Msg)
-	resp.SetRcode(r, dns.RcodeNameError)
-	// Set Zero bit to signal handler chain to continue
-	resp.MsgHdr.Zero = true
-	if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
-		logger.Errorf("failed writing DNS continue response: %v", err)
-	}
-}
-
 func (d *DnsInterceptor) getUpstreamIP(peerKey string) (netip.Addr, error) {
 	peerAllowedIP, exists := d.peerStore.AllowedIP(peerKey)
 	if !exists {

client/internal/routemanager/manager_test.go

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

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/rt_tables_linux_test.go

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

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_bsd_privileged_test.go

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