[client] Fix stale entries in nftables with no handle (#5272)

* Fix race condition and ensure correct message ordering in
connection establishment

Reorder operations in OpenConn to register the connection before
waiting for peer availability. This ensures:

- Connection is ready to receive messages before peer subscription
completes
- Transport messages and onconnected events maintain proper ordering
- No messages are lost during the connection establishment window
- Concurrent OpenConn calls cannot create duplicate connections

If peer availability check fails, the pre-registered connection is
properly cleaned up.

* Handle service shutdown during relay connection initialization

Ensure relay connections are properly cleaned up when the service is not running by verifying `serviceIsRunning` and removing stale entries from `c.conns` to prevent unintended behaviors.

client/cmd/login.go

@@ -282,13 +282,9 @@ func foregroundLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, config *profileman
 	}
 	defer authClient.Close()
 
-	needsLogin := false
-
-	err, isAuthError := authClient.Login(ctx, "", "")
-	if isAuthError {
-		needsLogin = true
-	} else if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("login check failed: %v", err)
+	needsLogin, err := authClient.IsLoginRequired(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("check login required: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	jwtToken := ""

client/embed/embed.go

@@ -71,6 +71,8 @@ type Options struct {
 	DisableClientRoutes bool
 	// BlockInbound blocks all inbound connections from peers
 	BlockInbound bool
+	// WireguardPort is the port for the WireGuard interface. Use 0 for a random port.
+	WireguardPort *int
 }
 
 // validateCredentials checks that exactly one credential type is provided
@@ -140,6 +142,7 @@ func New(opts Options) (*Client, error) {
 		DisableServerRoutes: &t,
 		DisableClientRoutes: &opts.DisableClientRoutes,
 		BlockInbound:        &opts.BlockInbound,
+		WireguardPort:       opts.WireguardPort,
 	}
 	if opts.ConfigPath != "" {
 		config, err = profilemanager.UpdateOrCreateConfig(input)

client/firewall/nftables/router_linux.go

@@ -483,7 +483,12 @@ func (r *router) DeleteRouteRule(rule firewall.Rule) error {
 	}
 
 	if nftRule.Handle == 0 {
-		return fmt.Errorf("route rule %s has no handle", ruleKey)
+		log.Warnf("route rule %s has no handle, removing stale entry", ruleKey)
+		if err := r.decrementSetCounter(nftRule); err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("decrement set counter for stale rule %s: %v", ruleKey, err)
+		}
+		delete(r.rules, ruleKey)
+		return nil
 	}
 
 	if err := r.deleteNftRule(nftRule, ruleKey); err != nil {
@@ -660,13 +665,32 @@ func (r *router) AddNatRule(pair firewall.RouterPair) error {
 	}
 
 	if err := r.conn.Flush(); err != nil {
-		// TODO: rollback ipset counter
-		return fmt.Errorf("insert rules for %s: %v", pair.Destination, err)
+		r.rollbackRules(pair)
+		return fmt.Errorf("insert rules for %s: %w", pair.Destination, err)
 	}
 
 	return nil
 }
 
+// rollbackRules cleans up unflushed rules and their set counters after a flush failure.
+func (r *router) rollbackRules(pair firewall.RouterPair) {
+	keys := []string{
+		firewall.GenKey(firewall.ForwardingFormat, pair),
+		firewall.GenKey(firewall.PreroutingFormat, pair),
+		firewall.GenKey(firewall.PreroutingFormat, firewall.GetInversePair(pair)),
+	}
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		rule, ok := r.rules[key]
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err := r.decrementSetCounter(rule); err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("rollback set counter for %s: %v", key, err)
+		}
+		delete(r.rules, key)
+	}
+}
+
 // addNatRule inserts a nftables rule to the conn client flush queue
 func (r *router) addNatRule(pair firewall.RouterPair) error {
 	sourceExp, err := r.applyNetwork(pair.Source, nil, true)
@@ -928,18 +952,30 @@ func (r *router) addLegacyRouteRule(pair firewall.RouterPair) error {
 func (r *router) removeLegacyRouteRule(pair firewall.RouterPair) error {
 	ruleKey := firewall.GenKey(firewall.ForwardingFormat, pair)
 
-	if rule, exists := r.rules[ruleKey]; exists {
-		if err := r.conn.DelRule(rule); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("remove legacy forwarding rule %s -> %s: %v", pair.Source, pair.Destination, err)
-		}
-
-		log.Debugf("removed legacy forwarding rule %s -> %s", pair.Source, pair.Destination)
-
-		delete(r.rules, ruleKey)
+	rule, exists := r.rules[ruleKey]
+	if !exists {
+		return nil
+	}
 
+	if rule.Handle == 0 {
+		log.Warnf("legacy forwarding rule %s has no handle, removing stale entry", ruleKey)
 		if err := r.decrementSetCounter(rule); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("decrement set counter: %w", err)
+			log.Warnf("decrement set counter for stale rule %s: %v", ruleKey, err)
 		}
+		delete(r.rules, ruleKey)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if err := r.conn.DelRule(rule); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("remove legacy forwarding rule %s -> %s: %w", pair.Source, pair.Destination, err)
+	}
+
+	log.Debugf("removed legacy forwarding rule %s -> %s", pair.Source, pair.Destination)
+
+	delete(r.rules, ruleKey)
+
+	if err := r.decrementSetCounter(rule); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("decrement set counter: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -1329,65 +1365,89 @@ func (r *router) RemoveNatRule(pair firewall.RouterPair) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf(refreshRulesMapError, err)
 	}
 
+	var merr *multierror.Error
+
 	if pair.Masquerade {
 		if err := r.removeNatRule(pair); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("remove prerouting rule: %w", err)
+			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("remove prerouting rule: %w", err))
 		}
 
 		if err := r.removeNatRule(firewall.GetInversePair(pair)); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("remove inverse prerouting rule: %w", err)
+			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("remove inverse prerouting rule: %w", err))
 		}
 	}
 
 	if err := r.removeLegacyRouteRule(pair); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("remove legacy routing rule: %w", err)
+		merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("remove legacy routing rule: %w", err))
 	}
 
+	// Set counters are decremented in the sub-methods above before flush. If flush fails,
+	// counters will be off until the next successful removal or refresh cycle.
 	if err := r.conn.Flush(); err != nil {
-		// TODO: rollback set counter
-		return fmt.Errorf("remove nat rules rule %s: %v", pair.Destination, err)
+		merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("flush remove nat rules %s: %w", pair.Destination, err))
 	}
 
-	return nil
+	return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(merr)
 }
 
 func (r *router) removeNatRule(pair firewall.RouterPair) error {
 	ruleKey := firewall.GenKey(firewall.PreroutingFormat, pair)
 
-	if rule, exists := r.rules[ruleKey]; exists {
-		if err := r.conn.DelRule(rule); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("remove prerouting rule %s -> %s: %v", pair.Source, pair.Destination, err)
-		}
-
-		log.Debugf("removed prerouting rule %s -> %s", pair.Source, pair.Destination)
-
-		delete(r.rules, ruleKey)
-
-		if err := r.decrementSetCounter(rule); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("decrement set counter: %w", err)
-		}
-	} else {
+	rule, exists := r.rules[ruleKey]
+	if !exists {
 		log.Debugf("prerouting rule %s not found", ruleKey)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if rule.Handle == 0 {
+		log.Warnf("prerouting rule %s has no handle, removing stale entry", ruleKey)
+		if err := r.decrementSetCounter(rule); err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("decrement set counter for stale rule %s: %v", ruleKey, err)
+		}
+		delete(r.rules, ruleKey)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if err := r.conn.DelRule(rule); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("remove prerouting rule %s -> %s: %w", pair.Source, pair.Destination, err)
+	}
+
+	log.Debugf("removed prerouting rule %s -> %s", pair.Source, pair.Destination)
+
+	delete(r.rules, ruleKey)
+
+	if err := r.decrementSetCounter(rule); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("decrement set counter: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	return nil
 }
 
-// refreshRulesMap refreshes the rule map with the latest rules. this is useful to avoid
-// duplicates and to get missing attributes that we don't have when adding new rules
+// refreshRulesMap rebuilds the rule map from the kernel. This removes stale entries
+// (e.g. from failed flushes) and updates handles for all existing rules.
 func (r *router) refreshRulesMap() error {
+	var merr *multierror.Error
+	newRules := make(map[string]*nftables.Rule)
 	for _, chain := range r.chains {
 		rules, err := r.conn.GetRules(chain.Table, chain)
 		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("list rules: %w", err)
+			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("list rules for chain %s: %w", chain.Name, err))
+			// preserve existing entries for this chain since we can't verify their state
+			for k, v := range r.rules {
+				if v.Chain != nil && v.Chain.Name == chain.Name {
+					newRules[k] = v
+				}
+			}
+			continue
 		}
 		for _, rule := range rules {
 			if len(rule.UserData) > 0 {
-				r.rules[string(rule.UserData)] = rule
+				newRules[string(rule.UserData)] = rule
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	return nil
+	r.rules = newRules
+	return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(merr)
 }
 
 func (r *router) AddDNATRule(rule firewall.ForwardRule) (firewall.Rule, error) {
@@ -1629,20 +1689,34 @@ func (r *router) DeleteDNATRule(rule firewall.Rule) error {
 	}
 
 	var merr *multierror.Error
+	var needsFlush bool
+
 	if dnatRule, exists := r.rules[ruleKey+dnatSuffix]; exists {
-		if err := r.conn.DelRule(dnatRule); err != nil {
+		if dnatRule.Handle == 0 {
+			log.Warnf("dnat rule %s has no handle, removing stale entry", ruleKey+dnatSuffix)
+			delete(r.rules, ruleKey+dnatSuffix)
+		} else if err := r.conn.DelRule(dnatRule); err != nil {
 			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("delete dnat rule: %w", err))
+		} else {
+			needsFlush = true
 		}
 	}
 
 	if masqRule, exists := r.rules[ruleKey+snatSuffix]; exists {
-		if err := r.conn.DelRule(masqRule); err != nil {
+		if masqRule.Handle == 0 {
+			log.Warnf("snat rule %s has no handle, removing stale entry", ruleKey+snatSuffix)
+			delete(r.rules, ruleKey+snatSuffix)
+		} else if err := r.conn.DelRule(masqRule); err != nil {
 			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("delete snat rule: %w", err))
+		} else {
+			needsFlush = true
 		}
 	}
 
-	if err := r.conn.Flush(); err != nil {
-		merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf(flushError, err))
+	if needsFlush {
+		if err := r.conn.Flush(); err != nil {
+			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf(flushError, err))
+		}
 	}
 
 	if merr == nil {
@@ -1757,16 +1831,25 @@ func (r *router) RemoveInboundDNAT(localAddr netip.Addr, protocol firewall.Proto
 
 	ruleID := fmt.Sprintf("inbound-dnat-%s-%s-%d-%d", localAddr.String(), protocol, sourcePort, targetPort)
 
-	if rule, exists := r.rules[ruleID]; exists {
-		if err := r.conn.DelRule(rule); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("delete inbound DNAT rule %s: %w", ruleID, err)
-		}
-		if err := r.conn.Flush(); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("flush delete inbound DNAT rule: %w", err)
-		}
-		delete(r.rules, ruleID)
+	rule, exists := r.rules[ruleID]
+	if !exists {
+		return nil
 	}
 
+	if rule.Handle == 0 {
+		log.Warnf("inbound DNAT rule %s has no handle, removing stale entry", ruleID)
+		delete(r.rules, ruleID)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if err := r.conn.DelRule(rule); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("delete inbound DNAT rule %s: %w", ruleID, err)
+	}
+	if err := r.conn.Flush(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("flush delete inbound DNAT rule: %w", err)
+	}
+	delete(r.rules, ruleID)
+
 	return nil
 }
 

client/firewall/nftables/router_linux_test.go

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import (
 	firewall "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/test"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/acl/id"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -719,3 +720,137 @@ func deleteWorkTable() {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+func TestRouter_RefreshRulesMap_RemovesStaleEntries(t *testing.T) {
+	if check() != NFTABLES {
+		t.Skip("nftables not supported on this system")
+	}
+
+	workTable, err := createWorkTable()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer deleteWorkTable()
+
+	r, err := newRouter(workTable, ifaceMock, iface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, r.init(workTable))
+	defer func() { require.NoError(t, r.Reset()) }()
+
+	// Add a real rule to the kernel
+	ruleKey, err := r.AddRouteFiltering(
+		nil,
+		[]netip.Prefix{netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24")},
+		firewall.Network{Prefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("10.0.0.0/24")},
+		firewall.ProtocolTCP,
+		nil,
+		&firewall.Port{Values: []uint16{80}},
+		firewall.ActionAccept,
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		require.NoError(t, r.DeleteRouteRule(ruleKey))
+	})
+
+	// Inject a stale entry with Handle=0 (simulates store-before-flush failure)
+	staleKey := "stale-rule-that-does-not-exist"
+	r.rules[staleKey] = &nftables.Rule{
+		Table:    r.workTable,
+		Chain:    r.chains[chainNameRoutingFw],
+		Handle:   0,
+		UserData: []byte(staleKey),
+	}
+
+	require.Contains(t, r.rules, staleKey, "stale entry should be in map before refresh")
+
+	err = r.refreshRulesMap()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.NotContains(t, r.rules, staleKey, "stale entry should be removed after refresh")
+
+	realRule, ok := r.rules[ruleKey.ID()]
+	assert.True(t, ok, "real rule should still exist after refresh")
+	assert.NotZero(t, realRule.Handle, "real rule should have a valid handle")
+}
+
+func TestRouter_DeleteRouteRule_StaleHandle(t *testing.T) {
+	if check() != NFTABLES {
+		t.Skip("nftables not supported on this system")
+	}
+
+	workTable, err := createWorkTable()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer deleteWorkTable()
+
+	r, err := newRouter(workTable, ifaceMock, iface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, r.init(workTable))
+	defer func() { require.NoError(t, r.Reset()) }()
+
+	// Inject a stale entry with Handle=0
+	staleKey := "stale-route-rule"
+	r.rules[staleKey] = &nftables.Rule{
+		Table:    r.workTable,
+		Chain:    r.chains[chainNameRoutingFw],
+		Handle:   0,
+		UserData: []byte(staleKey),
+	}
+
+	// DeleteRouteRule should not return an error for stale handles
+	err = r.DeleteRouteRule(id.RuleID(staleKey))
+	assert.NoError(t, err, "deleting a stale rule should not error")
+	assert.NotContains(t, r.rules, staleKey, "stale entry should be cleaned up")
+}
+
+func TestRouter_AddNatRule_WithStaleEntry(t *testing.T) {
+	if check() != NFTABLES {
+		t.Skip("nftables not supported on this system")
+	}
+
+	manager, err := Create(ifaceMock, iface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, manager.Init(nil))
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		require.NoError(t, manager.Close(nil))
+	})
+
+	pair := firewall.RouterPair{
+		ID:          "staletest",
+		Source:      firewall.Network{Prefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("100.100.100.1/32")},
+		Destination: firewall.Network{Prefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("100.100.200.0/24")},
+		Masquerade:  true,
+	}
+
+	rtr := manager.router
+
+	// First add succeeds
+	err = rtr.AddNatRule(pair)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		require.NoError(t, rtr.RemoveNatRule(pair))
+	})
+
+	// Corrupt the handle to simulate stale state
+	natRuleKey := firewall.GenKey(firewall.PreroutingFormat, pair)
+	if rule, exists := rtr.rules[natRuleKey]; exists {
+		rule.Handle = 0
+	}
+	inverseKey := firewall.GenKey(firewall.PreroutingFormat, firewall.GetInversePair(pair))
+	if rule, exists := rtr.rules[inverseKey]; exists {
+		rule.Handle = 0
+	}
+
+	// Adding the same rule again should succeed despite stale handles
+	err = rtr.AddNatRule(pair)
+	assert.NoError(t, err, "AddNatRule should succeed even with stale entries")
+
+	// Verify rules exist in kernel
+	rules, err := rtr.conn.GetRules(rtr.workTable, rtr.chains[chainNameManglePrerouting])
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	found := 0
+	for _, rule := range rules {
+		if len(rule.UserData) > 0 && string(rule.UserData) == natRuleKey {
+			found++
+		}
+	}
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, found, "NAT rule should exist in kernel")
+}

client/firewall/uspfilter/allow_netbird.go

@@ -3,12 +3,6 @@
 package uspfilter
 
 import (
-	"context"
-	"net/netip"
-	"time"
-
-	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
-
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
 )
 
@@ -17,33 +11,7 @@ func (m *Manager) Close(stateManager *statemanager.Manager) error {
 	m.mutex.Lock()
 	defer m.mutex.Unlock()
 
-	m.outgoingRules = make(map[netip.Addr]RuleSet)
-	m.incomingDenyRules = make(map[netip.Addr]RuleSet)
-	m.incomingRules = make(map[netip.Addr]RuleSet)
-
-	if m.udpTracker != nil {
-		m.udpTracker.Close()
-	}
-
-	if m.icmpTracker != nil {
-		m.icmpTracker.Close()
-	}
-
-	if m.tcpTracker != nil {
-		m.tcpTracker.Close()
-	}
-
-	if fwder := m.forwarder.Load(); fwder != nil {
-		fwder.Stop()
-	}
-
-	if m.logger != nil {
-		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 2*time.Second)
-		defer cancel()
-		if err := m.logger.Stop(ctx); err != nil {
-			log.Errorf("failed to shutdown logger: %v", err)
-		}
-	}
+	m.resetState()
 
 	if m.nativeFirewall != nil {
 		return m.nativeFirewall.Close(stateManager)

client/firewall/uspfilter/allow_netbird_windows.go

@@ -1,12 +1,9 @@
 package uspfilter
 
 import (
-	"context"
 	"fmt"
-	"net/netip"
 	"os/exec"
 	"syscall"
-	"time"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
@@ -26,33 +23,7 @@ func (m *Manager) Close(*statemanager.Manager) error {
 	m.mutex.Lock()
 	defer m.mutex.Unlock()
 
-	m.outgoingRules = make(map[netip.Addr]RuleSet)
-	m.incomingDenyRules = make(map[netip.Addr]RuleSet)
-	m.incomingRules = make(map[netip.Addr]RuleSet)
-
-	if m.udpTracker != nil {
-		m.udpTracker.Close()
-	}
-
-	if m.icmpTracker != nil {
-		m.icmpTracker.Close()
-	}
-
-	if m.tcpTracker != nil {
-		m.tcpTracker.Close()
-	}
-
-	if fwder := m.forwarder.Load(); fwder != nil {
-		fwder.Stop()
-	}
-
-	if m.logger != nil {
-		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 2*time.Second)
-		defer cancel()
-		if err := m.logger.Stop(ctx); err != nil {
-			log.Errorf("failed to shutdown logger: %v", err)
-		}
-	}
+	m.resetState()
 
 	if !isWindowsFirewallReachable() {
 		return nil

client/firewall/uspfilter/filter.go

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package uspfilter
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"encoding/binary"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
@@ -12,11 +13,13 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/google/gopacket"
 	"github.com/google/gopacket/layers"
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"golang.org/x/exp/maps"
 
 	firewall "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/uspfilter/common"
@@ -24,6 +27,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/uspfilter/forwarder"
 	nblog "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/uspfilter/log"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/netstack"
+	nbid "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/acl/id"
 	nftypes "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/types"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
 )
@@ -89,6 +93,7 @@ type Manager struct {
 	incomingDenyRules map[netip.Addr]RuleSet
 	incomingRules     map[netip.Addr]RuleSet
 	routeRules        RouteRules
+	routeRulesMap     map[nbid.RuleID]*RouteRule
 	decoders          sync.Pool
 	wgIface           common.IFaceMapper
 	nativeFirewall    firewall.Manager
@@ -229,6 +234,7 @@ func create(iface common.IFaceMapper, nativeFirewall firewall.Manager, disableSe
 		flowLogger:          flowLogger,
 		netstack:            netstack.IsEnabled(),
 		localForwarding:     enableLocalForwarding,
+		routeRulesMap:       make(map[nbid.RuleID]*RouteRule),
 		dnatMappings:        make(map[netip.Addr]netip.Addr),
 		portDNATRules:       []portDNATRule{},
 		netstackServices:    make(map[serviceKey]struct{}),
@@ -480,11 +486,15 @@ func (m *Manager) addRouteFiltering(
 		return m.nativeFirewall.AddRouteFiltering(id, sources, destination, proto, sPort, dPort, action)
 	}
 
-	ruleID := uuid.New().String()
+	ruleKey := nbid.GenerateRouteRuleKey(sources, destination, proto, sPort, dPort, action)
+
+	if existingRule, ok := m.routeRulesMap[ruleKey]; ok {
+		return existingRule, nil
+	}
 
 	rule := RouteRule{
 		// TODO: consolidate these IDs
-		id:         ruleID,
+		id:         string(ruleKey),
 		mgmtId:     id,
 		sources:    sources,
 		dstSet:     destination.Set,
@@ -499,6 +509,7 @@ func (m *Manager) addRouteFiltering(
 
 	m.routeRules = append(m.routeRules, &rule)
 	m.routeRules.Sort()
+	m.routeRulesMap[ruleKey] = &rule
 
 	return &rule, nil
 }
@@ -515,15 +526,20 @@ func (m *Manager) deleteRouteRule(rule firewall.Rule) error {
 		return m.nativeFirewall.DeleteRouteRule(rule)
 	}
 
-	ruleID := rule.ID()
+	ruleKey := nbid.RuleID(rule.ID())
+	if _, ok := m.routeRulesMap[ruleKey]; !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("route rule not found: %s", ruleKey)
+	}
+
 	idx := slices.IndexFunc(m.routeRules, func(r *RouteRule) bool {
-		return r.id == ruleID
+		return r.id == string(ruleKey)
 	})
 	if idx < 0 {
-		return fmt.Errorf("route rule not found: %s", ruleID)
+		return fmt.Errorf("route rule not found in slice: %s", ruleKey)
 	}
 
 	m.routeRules = slices.Delete(m.routeRules, idx, idx+1)
+	delete(m.routeRulesMap, ruleKey)
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -570,6 +586,40 @@ func (m *Manager) SetLegacyManagement(isLegacy bool) error {
 // Flush doesn't need to be implemented for this manager
 func (m *Manager) Flush() error { return nil }
 
+// resetState clears all firewall rules and closes connection trackers.
+// Must be called with m.mutex held.
+func (m *Manager) resetState() {
+	maps.Clear(m.outgoingRules)
+	maps.Clear(m.incomingDenyRules)
+	maps.Clear(m.incomingRules)
+	maps.Clear(m.routeRulesMap)
+	m.routeRules = m.routeRules[:0]
+
+	if m.udpTracker != nil {
+		m.udpTracker.Close()
+	}
+
+	if m.icmpTracker != nil {
+		m.icmpTracker.Close()
+	}
+
+	if m.tcpTracker != nil {
+		m.tcpTracker.Close()
+	}
+
+	if fwder := m.forwarder.Load(); fwder != nil {
+		fwder.Stop()
+	}
+
+	if m.logger != nil {
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 2*time.Second)
+		defer cancel()
+		if err := m.logger.Stop(ctx); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to shutdown logger: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 // SetupEBPFProxyNoTrack creates notrack rules for eBPF proxy loopback traffic.
 func (m *Manager) SetupEBPFProxyNoTrack(proxyPort, wgPort uint16) error {
 	if m.nativeFirewall == nil {

client/firewall/uspfilter/filter_routeacl_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,376 @@
+package uspfilter
+
+import (
+	"net/netip"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
+	"github.com/google/gopacket/layers"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	wgdevice "golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/device"
+
+	fw "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/mocks"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
+)
+
+// TestAddRouteFilteringReturnsExistingRule verifies that adding the same route
+// filtering rule twice returns the same rule ID (idempotent behavior).
+func TestAddRouteFilteringReturnsExistingRule(t *testing.T) {
+	manager := setupTestManager(t)
+
+	sources := []netip.Prefix{
+		netip.MustParsePrefix("100.64.1.0/24"),
+		netip.MustParsePrefix("100.64.2.0/24"),
+	}
+	destination := fw.Network{Prefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24")}
+
+	// Add rule first time
+	rule1, err := manager.AddRouteFiltering(
+		[]byte("policy-1"),
+		sources,
+		destination,
+		fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{443}},
+		fw.ActionAccept,
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, rule1)
+
+	// Add the same rule again
+	rule2, err := manager.AddRouteFiltering(
+		[]byte("policy-1"),
+		sources,
+		destination,
+		fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{443}},
+		fw.ActionAccept,
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, rule2)
+
+	// These should be the same (idempotent) like nftables/iptables implementations
+	assert.Equal(t, rule1.ID(), rule2.ID(),
+		"Adding the same rule twice should return the same rule ID (idempotent)")
+
+	manager.mutex.RLock()
+	ruleCount := len(manager.routeRules)
+	manager.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	assert.Equal(t, 2, ruleCount,
+		"Should have exactly 2 rules (1 user rule + 1 block rule)")
+}
+
+// TestAddRouteFilteringDifferentRulesGetDifferentIDs verifies that rules with
+// different parameters get distinct IDs.
+func TestAddRouteFilteringDifferentRulesGetDifferentIDs(t *testing.T) {
+	manager := setupTestManager(t)
+
+	sources := []netip.Prefix{netip.MustParsePrefix("100.64.1.0/24")}
+
+	// Add first rule
+	rule1, err := manager.AddRouteFiltering(
+		[]byte("policy-1"),
+		sources,
+		fw.Network{Prefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24")},
+		fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{443}},
+		fw.ActionAccept,
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Add different rule (different destination)
+	rule2, err := manager.AddRouteFiltering(
+		[]byte("policy-2"),
+		sources,
+		fw.Network{Prefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.2.0/24")}, // Different!
+		fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{443}},
+		fw.ActionAccept,
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.NotEqual(t, rule1.ID(), rule2.ID(),
+		"Different rules should have different IDs")
+
+	manager.mutex.RLock()
+	ruleCount := len(manager.routeRules)
+	manager.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	assert.Equal(t, 3, ruleCount, "Should have 3 rules (2 user rules + 1 block rule)")
+}
+
+// TestRouteRuleUpdateDoesNotCauseGap verifies that re-adding the same route
+// rule during a network map update does not disrupt existing traffic.
+func TestRouteRuleUpdateDoesNotCauseGap(t *testing.T) {
+	manager := setupTestManager(t)
+
+	sources := []netip.Prefix{netip.MustParsePrefix("100.64.1.0/24")}
+	destination := fw.Network{Prefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24")}
+
+	rule1, err := manager.AddRouteFiltering(
+		[]byte("policy-1"),
+		sources,
+		destination,
+		fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		nil,
+		nil,
+		fw.ActionAccept,
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	srcIP := netip.MustParseAddr("100.64.1.5")
+	dstIP := netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.10")
+	_, pass := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, layers.LayerTypeTCP, 12345, 443)
+	require.True(t, pass, "Traffic should pass with rule in place")
+
+	// Re-add same rule (simulates network map update)
+	rule2, err := manager.AddRouteFiltering(
+		[]byte("policy-1"),
+		sources,
+		destination,
+		fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		nil,
+		nil,
+		fw.ActionAccept,
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Idempotent IDs mean rule1.ID() == rule2.ID(), so the ACL manager
+	// won't delete rule1 during cleanup. If IDs differed, deleting rule1
+	// would remove the only matching rule and cause a traffic gap.
+	if rule1.ID() != rule2.ID() {
+		err = manager.DeleteRouteRule(rule1)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+	}
+
+	_, passAfter := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, layers.LayerTypeTCP, 12345, 443)
+	assert.True(t, passAfter,
+		"Traffic should still pass after rule update - no gap should occur")
+}
+
+// TestBlockInvalidRoutedIdempotent verifies that blockInvalidRouted creates
+// exactly one drop rule for the WireGuard network prefix, and calling it again
+// returns the same rule without duplicating.
+func TestBlockInvalidRoutedIdempotent(t *testing.T) {
+	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
+	dev := mocks.NewMockDevice(ctrl)
+	dev.EXPECT().MTU().Return(1500, nil).AnyTimes()
+
+	wgNet := netip.MustParsePrefix("100.64.0.1/16")
+
+	ifaceMock := &IFaceMock{
+		SetFilterFunc: func(device.PacketFilter) error { return nil },
+		AddressFunc: func() wgaddr.Address {
+			return wgaddr.Address{
+				IP:      wgNet.Addr(),
+				Network: wgNet,
+			}
+		},
+		GetDeviceFunc: func() *device.FilteredDevice {
+			return &device.FilteredDevice{Device: dev}
+		},
+		GetWGDeviceFunc: func() *wgdevice.Device {
+			return &wgdevice.Device{}
+		},
+	}
+
+	manager, err := Create(ifaceMock, false, flowLogger, iface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		require.NoError(t, manager.Close(nil))
+	})
+
+	// Call blockInvalidRouted directly multiple times
+	rule1, err := manager.blockInvalidRouted(ifaceMock)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, rule1)
+
+	rule2, err := manager.blockInvalidRouted(ifaceMock)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, rule2)
+
+	rule3, err := manager.blockInvalidRouted(ifaceMock)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, rule3)
+
+	// All should return the same rule
+	assert.Equal(t, rule1.ID(), rule2.ID(), "Second call should return same rule")
+	assert.Equal(t, rule2.ID(), rule3.ID(), "Third call should return same rule")
+
+	// Should have exactly 1 route rule
+	manager.mutex.RLock()
+	ruleCount := len(manager.routeRules)
+	manager.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, ruleCount, "Should have exactly 1 block rule after 3 calls")
+
+	// Verify the rule blocks traffic to the WG network
+	srcIP := netip.MustParseAddr("10.0.0.1")
+	dstIP := netip.MustParseAddr("100.64.0.50")
+	_, pass := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, layers.LayerTypeTCP, 12345, 80)
+	assert.False(t, pass, "Block rule should deny traffic to WG prefix")
+}
+
+// TestBlockRuleNotAccumulatedOnRepeatedEnableRouting verifies that calling
+// EnableRouting multiple times (as happens on each route update) does not
+// accumulate duplicate block rules in the routeRules slice.
+func TestBlockRuleNotAccumulatedOnRepeatedEnableRouting(t *testing.T) {
+	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
+	dev := mocks.NewMockDevice(ctrl)
+	dev.EXPECT().MTU().Return(1500, nil).AnyTimes()
+
+	wgNet := netip.MustParsePrefix("100.64.0.1/16")
+
+	ifaceMock := &IFaceMock{
+		SetFilterFunc: func(device.PacketFilter) error { return nil },
+		AddressFunc: func() wgaddr.Address {
+			return wgaddr.Address{
+				IP:      wgNet.Addr(),
+				Network: wgNet,
+			}
+		},
+		GetDeviceFunc: func() *device.FilteredDevice {
+			return &device.FilteredDevice{Device: dev}
+		},
+		GetWGDeviceFunc: func() *wgdevice.Device {
+			return &wgdevice.Device{}
+		},
+	}
+
+	manager, err := Create(ifaceMock, false, flowLogger, iface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		require.NoError(t, manager.Close(nil))
+	})
+
+	// Call EnableRouting multiple times (simulating repeated route updates)
+	for i := 0; i < 5; i++ {
+		require.NoError(t, manager.EnableRouting())
+	}
+
+	manager.mutex.RLock()
+	ruleCount := len(manager.routeRules)
+	manager.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, ruleCount,
+		"Repeated EnableRouting should not accumulate block rules")
+}
+
+// TestRouteRuleCountStableAcrossUpdates verifies that adding the same route
+// rule multiple times does not create duplicate entries.
+func TestRouteRuleCountStableAcrossUpdates(t *testing.T) {
+	manager := setupTestManager(t)
+
+	sources := []netip.Prefix{netip.MustParsePrefix("100.64.1.0/24")}
+	destination := fw.Network{Prefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24")}
+
+	// Simulate 5 network map updates with the same route rule
+	for i := 0; i < 5; i++ {
+		rule, err := manager.AddRouteFiltering(
+			[]byte("policy-1"),
+			sources,
+			destination,
+			fw.ProtocolTCP,
+			nil,
+			&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{443}},
+			fw.ActionAccept,
+		)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.NotNil(t, rule)
+	}
+
+	manager.mutex.RLock()
+	ruleCount := len(manager.routeRules)
+	manager.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	assert.Equal(t, 2, ruleCount,
+		"Should have exactly 2 rules (1 user rule + 1 block rule) after 5 updates")
+}
+
+// TestDeleteRouteRuleAfterIdempotentAdd verifies that deleting a route rule
+// after adding it multiple times works correctly.
+func TestDeleteRouteRuleAfterIdempotentAdd(t *testing.T) {
+	manager := setupTestManager(t)
+
+	sources := []netip.Prefix{netip.MustParsePrefix("100.64.1.0/24")}
+	destination := fw.Network{Prefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24")}
+
+	// Add same rule twice
+	rule1, err := manager.AddRouteFiltering(
+		[]byte("policy-1"),
+		sources,
+		destination,
+		fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		nil,
+		nil,
+		fw.ActionAccept,
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	rule2, err := manager.AddRouteFiltering(
+		[]byte("policy-1"),
+		sources,
+		destination,
+		fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		nil,
+		nil,
+		fw.ActionAccept,
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	require.Equal(t, rule1.ID(), rule2.ID(), "Should return same rule ID")
+
+	// Delete using first reference
+	err = manager.DeleteRouteRule(rule1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Verify traffic no longer passes
+	srcIP := netip.MustParseAddr("100.64.1.5")
+	dstIP := netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.10")
+	_, pass := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, layers.LayerTypeTCP, 12345, 443)
+	assert.False(t, pass, "Traffic should not pass after rule deletion")
+}
+
+func setupTestManager(t *testing.T) *Manager {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
+	dev := mocks.NewMockDevice(ctrl)
+	dev.EXPECT().MTU().Return(1500, nil).AnyTimes()
+
+	wgNet := netip.MustParsePrefix("100.64.0.1/16")
+
+	ifaceMock := &IFaceMock{
+		SetFilterFunc: func(device.PacketFilter) error { return nil },
+		AddressFunc: func() wgaddr.Address {
+			return wgaddr.Address{
+				IP:      wgNet.Addr(),
+				Network: wgNet,
+			}
+		},
+		GetDeviceFunc: func() *device.FilteredDevice {
+			return &device.FilteredDevice{Device: dev}
+		},
+		GetWGDeviceFunc: func() *wgdevice.Device {
+			return &wgdevice.Device{}
+		},
+	}
+
+	manager, err := Create(ifaceMock, false, flowLogger, iface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, manager.EnableRouting())
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		require.NoError(t, manager.Close(nil))
+	})
+
+	return manager
+}

client/firewall/uspfilter/filter_test.go

@@ -263,6 +263,158 @@ func TestAddUDPPacketHook(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// TestPeerRuleLifecycleDenyRules verifies that deny rules are correctly added
+// to the deny map and can be cleanly deleted without leaving orphans.
+func TestPeerRuleLifecycleDenyRules(t *testing.T) {
+	ifaceMock := &IFaceMock{
+		SetFilterFunc: func(device.PacketFilter) error { return nil },
+	}
+
+	m, err := Create(ifaceMock, false, flowLogger, nbiface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() {
+		require.NoError(t, m.Close(nil))
+	}()
+
+	ip := net.ParseIP("192.168.1.1")
+	addr := netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")
+
+	// Add multiple deny rules for different ports
+	rule1, err := m.AddPeerFiltering(nil, ip, fw.ProtocolTCP, nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{22}}, fw.ActionDrop, "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	rule2, err := m.AddPeerFiltering(nil, ip, fw.ProtocolTCP, nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{80}}, fw.ActionDrop, "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	denyCount := len(m.incomingDenyRules[addr])
+	m.mutex.RUnlock()
+	require.Equal(t, 2, denyCount, "Should have exactly 2 deny rules")
+
+	// Delete the first deny rule
+	err = m.DeletePeerRule(rule1[0])
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	denyCount = len(m.incomingDenyRules[addr])
+	m.mutex.RUnlock()
+	require.Equal(t, 1, denyCount, "Should have 1 deny rule after deleting first")
+
+	// Delete the second deny rule
+	err = m.DeletePeerRule(rule2[0])
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	_, exists := m.incomingDenyRules[addr]
+	m.mutex.RUnlock()
+	require.False(t, exists, "Deny rules IP entry should be cleaned up when empty")
+}
+
+// TestPeerRuleAddAndDeleteDontLeak verifies that repeatedly adding and deleting
+// peer rules (simulating network map updates) does not leak rules in the maps.
+func TestPeerRuleAddAndDeleteDontLeak(t *testing.T) {
+	ifaceMock := &IFaceMock{
+		SetFilterFunc: func(device.PacketFilter) error { return nil },
+	}
+
+	m, err := Create(ifaceMock, false, flowLogger, nbiface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() {
+		require.NoError(t, m.Close(nil))
+	}()
+
+	ip := net.ParseIP("192.168.1.1")
+	addr := netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")
+
+	// Simulate 10 network map updates: add rule, delete old, add new
+	for i := 0; i < 10; i++ {
+		// Add a deny rule
+		rules, err := m.AddPeerFiltering(nil, ip, fw.ProtocolTCP, nil,
+			&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{22}}, fw.ActionDrop, "")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// Add an allow rule
+		allowRules, err := m.AddPeerFiltering(nil, ip, fw.ProtocolTCP, nil,
+			&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{80}}, fw.ActionAccept, "")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// Delete them (simulating ACL manager cleanup)
+		for _, r := range rules {
+			require.NoError(t, m.DeletePeerRule(r))
+		}
+		for _, r := range allowRules {
+			require.NoError(t, m.DeletePeerRule(r))
+		}
+	}
+
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	denyCount := len(m.incomingDenyRules[addr])
+	allowCount := len(m.incomingRules[addr])
+	m.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	require.Equal(t, 0, denyCount, "No deny rules should remain after cleanup")
+	require.Equal(t, 0, allowCount, "No allow rules should remain after cleanup")
+}
+
+// TestMixedAllowDenyRulesSameIP verifies that allow and deny rules for the same
+// IP are stored in separate maps and don't interfere with each other.
+func TestMixedAllowDenyRulesSameIP(t *testing.T) {
+	ifaceMock := &IFaceMock{
+		SetFilterFunc: func(device.PacketFilter) error { return nil },
+	}
+
+	m, err := Create(ifaceMock, false, flowLogger, nbiface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() {
+		require.NoError(t, m.Close(nil))
+	}()
+
+	ip := net.ParseIP("192.168.1.1")
+
+	// Add allow rule for port 80
+	allowRule, err := m.AddPeerFiltering(nil, ip, fw.ProtocolTCP, nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{80}}, fw.ActionAccept, "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Add deny rule for port 22
+	denyRule, err := m.AddPeerFiltering(nil, ip, fw.ProtocolTCP, nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{22}}, fw.ActionDrop, "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	addr := netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	allowCount := len(m.incomingRules[addr])
+	denyCount := len(m.incomingDenyRules[addr])
+	m.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	require.Equal(t, 1, allowCount, "Should have 1 allow rule")
+	require.Equal(t, 1, denyCount, "Should have 1 deny rule")
+
+	// Delete allow rule should not affect deny rule
+	err = m.DeletePeerRule(allowRule[0])
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	denyCountAfter := len(m.incomingDenyRules[addr])
+	m.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	require.Equal(t, 1, denyCountAfter, "Deny rule should still exist after deleting allow rule")
+
+	// Delete deny rule
+	err = m.DeletePeerRule(denyRule[0])
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	m.mutex.RLock()
+	_, denyExists := m.incomingDenyRules[addr]
+	_, allowExists := m.incomingRules[addr]
+	m.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	require.False(t, denyExists, "Deny rules should be empty")
+	require.False(t, allowExists, "Allow rules should be empty")
+}
+
 func TestManagerReset(t *testing.T) {
 	ifaceMock := &IFaceMock{
 		SetFilterFunc: func(device.PacketFilter) error { return nil },

client/iface/device/device_filter.go

@@ -29,8 +29,9 @@ type PacketFilter interface {
 type FilteredDevice struct {
 	tun.Device
 
-	filter PacketFilter
-	mutex  sync.RWMutex
+	filter    PacketFilter
+	mutex     sync.RWMutex
+	closeOnce sync.Once
 }
 
 // newDeviceFilter constructor function
@@ -40,6 +41,20 @@ func newDeviceFilter(device tun.Device) *FilteredDevice {
 	}
 }
 
+// Close closes the underlying tun device exactly once.
+// wireguard-go's netTun.Close() panics on double-close due to a bare close(channel),
+// and multiple code paths can trigger Close on the same device.
+func (d *FilteredDevice) Close() error {
+	var err error
+	d.closeOnce.Do(func() {
+		err = d.Device.Close()
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // Read wraps read method with filtering feature
 func (d *FilteredDevice) Read(bufs [][]byte, sizes []int, offset int) (n int, err error) {
 	if n, err = d.Device.Read(bufs, sizes, offset); err != nil {

client/iface/device/device_netstack.go

@@ -82,7 +82,9 @@ func (t *TunNetstackDevice) create() (WGConfigurer, error) {
 	t.configurer = configurer.NewUSPConfigurer(t.device, t.name, t.bind.ActivityRecorder())
 	err = t.configurer.ConfigureInterface(t.key, t.port)
 	if err != nil {
-		_ = tunIface.Close()
+		if cErr := tunIface.Close(); cErr != nil {
+			log.Debugf("failed to close tun device: %v", cErr)
+		}
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error configuring interface: %s", err)
 	}
 

client/iface/iface.go

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/errors"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/configurer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
+	nbnetstack "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/netstack"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/udpmux"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgproxy"
@@ -228,6 +229,10 @@ func (w *WGIface) Close() error {
 		result = multierror.Append(result, fmt.Errorf("failed to close wireguard interface %s: %w", w.Name(), err))
 	}
 
+	if nbnetstack.IsEnabled() {
+		return errors.FormatErrorOrNil(result)
+	}
+
 	if err := w.waitUntilRemoved(); err != nil {
 		log.Warnf("failed to remove WireGuard interface %s: %v", w.Name(), err)
 		if err := w.Destroy(); err != nil {

client/iface/netstack/tun.go

@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ func (t *NetStackTun) Create() (tun.Device, *netstack.Net, error) {
 		}
 	}()
 
-	return nsTunDev, tunNet, nil
+	return t.tundev, tunNet, nil
 }
 
 func (t *NetStackTun) Close() error {

client/internal/acl/manager_test.go

@@ -189,6 +189,212 @@ func TestDefaultManagerStateless(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 
+// TestDenyRulesNotAccumulatedOnRepeatedApply verifies that applying the same
+// deny rules repeatedly does not accumulate duplicate rules in the uspfilter.
+// This tests the full ACL manager -> uspfilter integration.
+func TestDenyRulesNotAccumulatedOnRepeatedApply(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Setenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED", "true")
+
+	networkMap := &mgmProto.NetworkMap{
+		FirewallRules: []*mgmProto.FirewallRule{
+			{
+				PeerIP:    "10.93.0.1",
+				Direction: mgmProto.RuleDirection_IN,
+				Action:    mgmProto.RuleAction_DROP,
+				Protocol:  mgmProto.RuleProtocol_TCP,
+				Port:      "22",
+			},
+			{
+				PeerIP:    "10.93.0.2",
+				Direction: mgmProto.RuleDirection_IN,
+				Action:    mgmProto.RuleAction_DROP,
+				Protocol:  mgmProto.RuleProtocol_TCP,
+				Port:      "80",
+			},
+			{
+				PeerIP:    "10.93.0.3",
+				Direction: mgmProto.RuleDirection_IN,
+				Action:    mgmProto.RuleAction_ACCEPT,
+				Protocol:  mgmProto.RuleProtocol_TCP,
+				Port:      "443",
+			},
+		},
+		FirewallRulesIsEmpty: false,
+	}
+
+	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)
+
+	// Apply the same rules 5 times (simulating repeated network map updates)
+	for i := 0; i < 5; i++ {
+		acl.ApplyFiltering(networkMap, false)
+	}
+
+	// The ACL manager should track exactly 3 rule pairs (2 deny + 1 accept inbound)
+	assert.Equal(t, 3, len(acl.peerRulesPairs),
+		"Should have exactly 3 rule pairs after 5 identical updates")
+}
+
+// TestDenyRulesCleanedUpOnRemoval verifies that deny rules are properly cleaned
+// up when they're removed from the network map in a subsequent update.
+func TestDenyRulesCleanedUpOnRemoval(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Setenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED", "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)
+
+	// First update: add deny and accept rules
+	networkMap1 := &mgmProto.NetworkMap{
+		FirewallRules: []*mgmProto.FirewallRule{
+			{
+				PeerIP:    "10.93.0.1",
+				Direction: mgmProto.RuleDirection_IN,
+				Action:    mgmProto.RuleAction_DROP,
+				Protocol:  mgmProto.RuleProtocol_TCP,
+				Port:      "22",
+			},
+			{
+				PeerIP:    "10.93.0.2",
+				Direction: mgmProto.RuleDirection_IN,
+				Action:    mgmProto.RuleAction_ACCEPT,
+				Protocol:  mgmProto.RuleProtocol_TCP,
+				Port:      "443",
+			},
+		},
+		FirewallRulesIsEmpty: false,
+	}
+
+	acl.ApplyFiltering(networkMap1, false)
+	assert.Equal(t, 2, len(acl.peerRulesPairs), "Should have 2 rules after first update")
+
+	// Second update: remove the deny rule, keep only accept
+	networkMap2 := &mgmProto.NetworkMap{
+		FirewallRules: []*mgmProto.FirewallRule{
+			{
+				PeerIP:    "10.93.0.2",
+				Direction: mgmProto.RuleDirection_IN,
+				Action:    mgmProto.RuleAction_ACCEPT,
+				Protocol:  mgmProto.RuleProtocol_TCP,
+				Port:      "443",
+			},
+		},
+		FirewallRulesIsEmpty: false,
+	}
+
+	acl.ApplyFiltering(networkMap2, false)
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, len(acl.peerRulesPairs),
+		"Should have 1 rule after removing deny rule")
+
+	// Third update: remove all rules
+	networkMap3 := &mgmProto.NetworkMap{
+		FirewallRules:        []*mgmProto.FirewallRule{},
+		FirewallRulesIsEmpty: true,
+	}
+
+	acl.ApplyFiltering(networkMap3, false)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, len(acl.peerRulesPairs),
+		"Should have 0 rules after removing all rules")
+}
+
+// TestRuleUpdateChangingAction verifies that when a rule's action changes from
+// accept to deny (or vice versa), the old rule is properly removed and the new
+// one added without leaking.
+func TestRuleUpdateChangingAction(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Setenv("NB_WG_KERNEL_DISABLED", "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)
+
+	// First update: accept rule
+	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)
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, len(acl.peerRulesPairs))
+
+	// Second update: change to deny (same IP/port/proto, different action)
+	networkMap.FirewallRules = []*mgmProto.FirewallRule{
+		{
+			PeerIP:    "10.93.0.1",
+			Direction: mgmProto.RuleDirection_IN,
+			Action:    mgmProto.RuleAction_DROP,
+			Protocol:  mgmProto.RuleProtocol_TCP,
+			Port:      "22",
+		},
+	}
+	acl.ApplyFiltering(networkMap, false)
+
+	// Should still have exactly 1 rule (the old accept removed, new deny added)
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, len(acl.peerRulesPairs),
+		"Changing action should result in exactly 1 rule, not 2")
+}
+
 func TestPortInfoEmpty(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name     string

client/internal/connect.go

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
 	"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/listener"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
@@ -244,7 +245,7 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 		localPeerState := peer.LocalPeerState{
 			IP:              loginResp.GetPeerConfig().GetAddress(),
 			PubKey:          myPrivateKey.PublicKey().String(),
-			KernelInterface: device.WireGuardModuleIsLoaded(),
+			KernelInterface: device.WireGuardModuleIsLoaded() && !netstack.IsEnabled(),
 			FQDN:            loginResp.GetPeerConfig().GetFqdn(),
 		}
 		c.statusRecorder.UpdateLocalPeerState(localPeerState)

client/internal/dns/server.go

@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"net/netip"
 	"net/url"
+	"os"
 	"runtime"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 
@@ -27,6 +29,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
 )
 
+const envSkipDNSProbe = "NB_SKIP_DNS_PROBE"
+
 // ReadyListener is a notification mechanism what indicate the server is ready to handle host dns address changes
 type ReadyListener interface {
 	OnReady()
@@ -439,6 +443,17 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) SearchDomains() []string {
 // ProbeAvailability tests each upstream group's servers for availability
 // and deactivates the group if no server responds
 func (s *DefaultServer) ProbeAvailability() {
+	if val := os.Getenv(envSkipDNSProbe); val != "" {
+		skipProbe, err := strconv.ParseBool(val)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("failed to parse %s: %v", envSkipDNSProbe, err)
+		}
+		if skipProbe {
+			log.Infof("skipping DNS probe due to %s", envSkipDNSProbe)
+			return
+		}
+	}
+
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
 	for _, mux := range s.dnsMuxMap {
 		wg.Add(1)

client/internal/dnsfwd/forwarder.go

@@ -190,50 +190,75 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(result)
 }
 
-func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQuery(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, query *dns.Msg) *dns.Msg {
+func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQuery(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, query *dns.Msg, startTime time.Time) {
 	if len(query.Question) == 0 {
-		return nil
+		return
 	}
 	question := query.Question[0]
-	logger.Tracef("received DNS request for DNS forwarder: domain=%s type=%s class=%s",
-		question.Name, dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype], dns.ClassToString[question.Qclass])
+	qname := strings.ToLower(question.Name)
 
-	domain := strings.ToLower(question.Name)
+	logger.Tracef("question: domain=%s type=%s class=%s",
+		qname, dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype], dns.ClassToString[question.Qclass])
 
 	resp := query.SetReply(query)
 	network := resutil.NetworkForQtype(question.Qtype)
 	if network == "" {
 		resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeNotImplemented
-		if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
-			logger.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
-		}
-		return nil
+		f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, qname, startTime)
+		return
 	}
 
-	mostSpecificResId, matchingEntries := f.getMatchingEntries(strings.TrimSuffix(domain, "."))
-	// query doesn't match any configured domain
+	mostSpecificResId, matchingEntries := f.getMatchingEntries(strings.TrimSuffix(qname, "."))
 	if mostSpecificResId == "" {
 		resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeRefused
-		if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
-			logger.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
-		}
-		return nil
+		f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, qname, startTime)
+		return
 	}
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), upstreamTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
-	result := resutil.LookupIP(ctx, f.resolver, network, domain, question.Qtype)
+	result := resutil.LookupIP(ctx, f.resolver, network, qname, question.Qtype)
 	if result.Err != nil {
-		f.handleDNSError(ctx, logger, w, question, resp, domain, result)
-		return nil
+		f.handleDNSError(ctx, logger, w, question, resp, qname, result, startTime)
+		return
 	}
 
 	f.updateInternalState(result.IPs, mostSpecificResId, matchingEntries)
-	resp.Answer = append(resp.Answer, resutil.IPsToRRs(domain, result.IPs, f.ttl)...)
-	f.cache.set(domain, question.Qtype, result.IPs)
+	resp.Answer = append(resp.Answer, resutil.IPsToRRs(qname, result.IPs, f.ttl)...)
+	f.cache.set(qname, question.Qtype, result.IPs)
 
-	return resp
+	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)
+		return
+	}
+
+	logger.Tracef("response: domain=%s rcode=%s answers=%s took=%s",
+		qname, dns.RcodeToString[resp.Rcode], resutil.FormatAnswers(resp.Answer), time.Since(startTime))
+}
+
+// udpResponseWriter wraps a dns.ResponseWriter to handle UDP-specific truncation.
+type udpResponseWriter struct {
+	dns.ResponseWriter
+	query *dns.Msg
+}
+
+func (u *udpResponseWriter) WriteMsg(resp *dns.Msg) error {
+	opt := u.query.IsEdns0()
+	maxSize := dns.MinMsgSize
+	if opt != nil {
+		maxSize = int(opt.UDPSize())
+	}
+
+	if resp.Len() > maxSize {
+		resp.Truncate(maxSize)
+	}
+
+	return u.ResponseWriter.WriteMsg(resp)
 }
 
 func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQueryUDP(w dns.ResponseWriter, query *dns.Msg) {
@@ -243,30 +268,7 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQueryUDP(w dns.ResponseWriter, query *dns.Msg) {
 		"dns_id":     fmt.Sprintf("%04x", query.Id),
 	})
 
-	resp := f.handleDNSQuery(logger, w, query)
-	if resp == nil {
-		return
-	}
-
-	opt := query.IsEdns0()
-	maxSize := dns.MinMsgSize
-	if opt != nil {
-		// client advertised a larger EDNS0 buffer
-		maxSize = int(opt.UDPSize())
-	}
-
-	// if our response is too big, truncate and set the TC bit
-	if resp.Len() > maxSize {
-		resp.Truncate(maxSize)
-	}
-
-	if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
-		logger.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	logger.Tracef("response: domain=%s rcode=%s answers=%s took=%s",
-		query.Question[0].Name, dns.RcodeToString[resp.Rcode], resutil.FormatAnswers(resp.Answer), time.Since(startTime))
+	f.handleDNSQuery(logger, &udpResponseWriter{ResponseWriter: w, query: query}, query, startTime)
 }
 
 func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQueryTCP(w dns.ResponseWriter, query *dns.Msg) {
@@ -276,18 +278,7 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQueryTCP(w dns.ResponseWriter, query *dns.Msg) {
 		"dns_id":     fmt.Sprintf("%04x", query.Id),
 	})
 
-	resp := f.handleDNSQuery(logger, w, query)
-	if resp == nil {
-		return
-	}
-
-	if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
-		logger.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-
-	logger.Tracef("response: domain=%s rcode=%s answers=%s took=%s",
-		query.Question[0].Name, dns.RcodeToString[resp.Rcode], resutil.FormatAnswers(resp.Answer), time.Since(startTime))
+	f.handleDNSQuery(logger, w, query, startTime)
 }
 
 func (f *DNSForwarder) updateInternalState(ips []netip.Addr, mostSpecificResId route.ResID, matchingEntries []*ForwarderEntry) {
@@ -334,6 +325,7 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSError(
 	resp *dns.Msg,
 	domain string,
 	result resutil.LookupResult,
+	startTime time.Time,
 ) {
 	qType := question.Qtype
 	qTypeName := dns.TypeToString[qType]
@@ -343,9 +335,7 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSError(
 	// NotFound: cache negative result and respond
 	if result.Rcode == dns.RcodeNameError || result.Rcode == dns.RcodeSuccess {
 		f.cache.set(domain, question.Qtype, nil)
-		if writeErr := w.WriteMsg(resp); writeErr != nil {
-			logger.Errorf("failed to write failure DNS response: %v", writeErr)
-		}
+		f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, domain, startTime)
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -355,9 +345,7 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSError(
 			logger.Debugf("serving cached DNS response after upstream failure: domain=%s type=%s", domain, qTypeName)
 			resp.Answer = append(resp.Answer, resutil.IPsToRRs(domain, ips, f.ttl)...)
 			resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeSuccess
-			if writeErr := w.WriteMsg(resp); writeErr != nil {
-				logger.Errorf("failed to write cached DNS response: %v", writeErr)
-			}
+			f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, domain, startTime)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -365,9 +353,7 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSError(
 		verifyResult := resutil.LookupIP(ctx, f.resolver, resutil.NetworkForQtype(qType), domain, qType)
 		if verifyResult.Rcode == dns.RcodeNameError || verifyResult.Rcode == dns.RcodeSuccess {
 			resp.Rcode = verifyResult.Rcode
-			if writeErr := w.WriteMsg(resp); writeErr != nil {
-				logger.Errorf("failed to write failure DNS response: %v", writeErr)
-			}
+			f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, domain, startTime)
 			return
 		}
 	}
@@ -375,15 +361,12 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSError(
 	// No cache or verification failed. Log with or without the server field for more context.
 	var dnsErr *net.DNSError
 	if errors.As(result.Err, &dnsErr) && dnsErr.Server != "" {
-		logger.Warnf("failed to resolve: type=%s domain=%s server=%s: %v", qTypeName, domain, dnsErr.Server, result.Err)
+		logger.Warnf("upstream failure: type=%s domain=%s server=%s: %v", qTypeName, domain, dnsErr.Server, result.Err)
 	} else {
 		logger.Warnf(errResolveFailed, domain, result.Err)
 	}
 
-	// Write final failure response.
-	if writeErr := w.WriteMsg(resp); writeErr != nil {
-		logger.Errorf("failed to write failure DNS response: %v", writeErr)
-	}
+	f.writeResponse(logger, w, resp, domain, startTime)
 }
 
 // getMatchingEntries retrieves the resource IDs for a given domain.

client/internal/dnsfwd/forwarder_test.go

@@ -318,8 +318,9 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_UnauthorizedDomainAccess(t *testing.T) {
 			query.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn(tt.queryDomain), dns.TypeA)
 
 			mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
-			resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query)
+			forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query, time.Now())
 
+			resp := mockWriter.GetLastResponse()
 			if tt.shouldResolve {
 				require.NotNil(t, resp, "Expected response for authorized domain")
 				require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode, "Expected successful response")
@@ -329,10 +330,9 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_UnauthorizedDomainAccess(t *testing.T) {
 				mockFirewall.AssertExpectations(t)
 				mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
 			} else {
-				if resp != nil {
-					assert.True(t, len(resp.Answer) == 0 || resp.Rcode != dns.RcodeSuccess,
-						"Unauthorized domain should not return successful answers")
-				}
+				require.NotNil(t, resp, "Expected response")
+				assert.True(t, len(resp.Answer) == 0 || resp.Rcode != dns.RcodeSuccess,
+					"Unauthorized domain should not return successful answers")
 				mockFirewall.AssertNotCalled(t, "UpdateSet")
 				mockResolver.AssertNotCalled(t, "LookupNetIP")
 			}
@@ -466,14 +466,16 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_FirewallSetUpdates(t *testing.T) {
 			dnsQuery.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn(tt.query), dns.TypeA)
 
 			mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
-			resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, dnsQuery)
+			forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, dnsQuery, time.Now())
 
 			// Verify response
+			resp := mockWriter.GetLastResponse()
 			if tt.shouldResolve {
 				require.NotNil(t, resp, "Expected response for authorized domain")
 				require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
 				require.NotEmpty(t, resp.Answer)
-			} else if resp != nil {
+			} else {
+				require.NotNil(t, resp, "Expected response")
 				assert.True(t, resp.Rcode == dns.RcodeRefused || len(resp.Answer) == 0,
 					"Unauthorized domain should be refused or have no answers")
 			}
@@ -528,9 +530,10 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_MultipleIPsInSingleUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 	query.SetQuestion("example.com.", dns.TypeA)
 
 	mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
-	resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query)
+	forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query, time.Now())
 
 	// Verify response contains all IPs
+	resp := mockWriter.GetLastResponse()
 	require.NotNil(t, resp)
 	require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
 	require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 3, "Should have 3 answer records")
@@ -605,7 +608,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ResponseCodes(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			}
 
-			_ = forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query)
+			forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query, time.Now())
 
 			// Check the response written to the writer
 			require.NotNil(t, writtenResp, "Expected response to be written")
@@ -675,7 +678,8 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ServeFromCacheOnUpstreamFailure(t *testing.T) {
 	q1 := &dns.Msg{}
 	q1.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn("example.com"), dns.TypeA)
 	w1 := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
-	resp1 := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), w1, q1)
+	forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), w1, q1, time.Now())
+	resp1 := w1.GetLastResponse()
 	require.NotNil(t, resp1)
 	require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp1.Rcode)
 	require.Len(t, resp1.Answer, 1)
@@ -683,13 +687,13 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ServeFromCacheOnUpstreamFailure(t *testing.T) {
 	// Second query: serve from cache after upstream failure
 	q2 := &dns.Msg{}
 	q2.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn("example.com"), dns.TypeA)
-	var writtenResp *dns.Msg
-	w2 := &test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { writtenResp = m; return nil }}
-	_ = forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), w2, q2)
+	w2 := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
+	forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), w2, q2, time.Now())
 
-	require.NotNil(t, writtenResp, "expected response to be written")
-	require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, writtenResp.Rcode)
-	require.Len(t, writtenResp.Answer, 1)
+	resp2 := w2.GetLastResponse()
+	require.NotNil(t, resp2, "expected response to be written")
+	require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp2.Rcode)
+	require.Len(t, resp2.Answer, 1)
 
 	mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
 }
@@ -715,7 +719,8 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_CacheNormalizationCasingAndDot(t *testing.T) {
 	q1 := &dns.Msg{}
 	q1.SetQuestion(mixedQuery+".", dns.TypeA)
 	w1 := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
-	resp1 := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), w1, q1)
+	forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), w1, q1, time.Now())
+	resp1 := w1.GetLastResponse()
 	require.NotNil(t, resp1)
 	require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp1.Rcode)
 	require.Len(t, resp1.Answer, 1)
@@ -727,13 +732,13 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_CacheNormalizationCasingAndDot(t *testing.T) {
 
 	q2 := &dns.Msg{}
 	q2.SetQuestion("EXAMPLE.COM", dns.TypeA)
-	var writtenResp *dns.Msg
-	w2 := &test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { writtenResp = m; return nil }}
-	_ = forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), w2, q2)
+	w2 := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
+	forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), w2, q2, time.Now())
 
-	require.NotNil(t, writtenResp)
-	require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, writtenResp.Rcode)
-	require.Len(t, writtenResp.Answer, 1)
+	resp2 := w2.GetLastResponse()
+	require.NotNil(t, resp2)
+	require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp2.Rcode)
+	require.Len(t, resp2.Answer, 1)
 
 	mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
 }
@@ -784,8 +789,9 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_MultipleOverlappingPatterns(t *testing.T) {
 	query.SetQuestion("smtp.mail.example.com.", dns.TypeA)
 
 	mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
-	resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query)
+	forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query, time.Now())
 
+	resp := mockWriter.GetLastResponse()
 	require.NotNil(t, resp)
 	assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
 
@@ -897,26 +903,15 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_NodataVsNxdomain(t *testing.T) {
 			query := &dns.Msg{}
 			query.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn("example.com"), tt.queryType)
 
-			var writtenResp *dns.Msg
-			mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{
-				WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error {
-					writtenResp = m
-					return nil
-				},
-			}
+			mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
+			forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query, time.Now())
 
-			resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query)
-
-			// If a response was returned, it means it should be written (happens in wrapper functions)
-			if resp != nil && writtenResp == nil {
-				writtenResp = resp
-			}
-
-			require.NotNil(t, writtenResp, "Expected response to be written")
-			assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedCode, writtenResp.Rcode, tt.description)
+			resp := mockWriter.GetLastResponse()
+			require.NotNil(t, resp, "Expected response to be written")
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.expectedCode, resp.Rcode, tt.description)
 
 			if tt.expectNoAnswer {
-				assert.Empty(t, writtenResp.Answer, "Response should have no answer records")
+				assert.Empty(t, resp.Answer, "Response should have no answer records")
 			}
 
 			mockResolver.AssertExpectations(t)
@@ -931,15 +926,8 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_EmptyQuery(t *testing.T) {
 	query := &dns.Msg{}
 	// Don't set any question
 
-	writeCalled := false
-	mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{
-		WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error {
-			writeCalled = true
-			return nil
-		},
-	}
-	resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query)
+	mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
+	forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query, time.Now())
 
-	assert.Nil(t, resp, "Should return nil for empty query")
-	assert.False(t, writeCalled, "Should not write response for empty query")
+	assert.Nil(t, mockWriter.GetLastResponse(), "Should not write response for empty query")
 }

client/internal/engine.go

@@ -543,11 +543,12 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 	// monitor WireGuard interface lifecycle and restart engine on changes
 	e.wgIfaceMonitor = NewWGIfaceMonitor()
 	e.shutdownWg.Add(1)
+	wgIfaceName := e.wgInterface.Name()
 
 	go func() {
 		defer e.shutdownWg.Done()
 
-		if shouldRestart, err := e.wgIfaceMonitor.Start(e.ctx, e.wgInterface.Name()); shouldRestart {
+		if shouldRestart, err := e.wgIfaceMonitor.Start(e.ctx, wgIfaceName); shouldRestart {
 			log.Infof("WireGuard interface monitor: %s, restarting engine", err)
 			e.triggerClientRestart()
 		} else if err != nil {
@@ -828,6 +829,10 @@ func (e *Engine) handleAutoUpdateVersion(autoUpdateSettings *mgmProto.AutoUpdate
 }
 
 func (e *Engine) handleSync(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) error {
+	started := time.Now()
+	defer func() {
+		log.Infof("sync finished in %s", time.Since(started))
+	}()
 	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
 	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
 
@@ -1017,7 +1022,7 @@ func (e *Engine) updateConfig(conf *mgmProto.PeerConfig) error {
 	state := e.statusRecorder.GetLocalPeerState()
 	state.IP = e.wgInterface.Address().String()
 	state.PubKey = e.config.WgPrivateKey.PublicKey().String()
-	state.KernelInterface = device.WireGuardModuleIsLoaded()
+	state.KernelInterface = !e.wgInterface.IsUserspaceBind()
 	state.FQDN = conf.GetFqdn()
 
 	e.statusRecorder.UpdateLocalPeerState(state)

client/internal/engine_ssh.go

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
 	firewallManager "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/netstack"
 	nftypes "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/types"
 	sshauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/auth"
 	sshconfig "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/config"
@@ -94,6 +95,10 @@ func (e *Engine) updateSSH(sshConf *mgmProto.SSHConfig) error {
 
 // updateSSHClientConfig updates the SSH client configuration with peer information
 func (e *Engine) updateSSHClientConfig(remotePeers []*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig) error {
+	if netstack.IsEnabled() {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	peerInfo := e.extractPeerSSHInfo(remotePeers)
 	if len(peerInfo) == 0 {
 		log.Debug("no SSH-enabled peers found, skipping SSH config update")
@@ -216,6 +221,10 @@ func (e *Engine) GetPeerSSHKey(peerAddress string) ([]byte, bool) {
 
 // cleanupSSHConfig removes NetBird SSH client configuration on shutdown
 func (e *Engine) cleanupSSHConfig() {
+	if netstack.IsEnabled() {
+		return
+	}
+
 	configMgr := sshconfig.New()
 
 	if err := configMgr.RemoveSSHClientConfig(); err != nil {

client/internal/lazyconn/activity/manager.go

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/wgctrl/wgtypes"
 
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/netstack"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/lazyconn"
 	peerid "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer/id"
@@ -74,12 +75,13 @@ func (m *Manager) createListener(peerCfg lazyconn.PeerConfig) (listener, error)
 		return NewUDPListener(m.wgIface, peerCfg)
 	}
 
-	// BindListener is only used on Windows and JS platforms:
+	// BindListener is used on Windows, JS, and netstack platforms:
 	// - JS: Cannot listen to UDP sockets
 	// - Windows: IP_UNICAST_IF socket option forces packets out the interface the default
 	//   gateway points to, preventing them from reaching the loopback interface.
-	//   BindListener bypasses this by passing data directly through the bind.
-	if runtime.GOOS != "windows" && runtime.GOOS != "js" {
+	// - Netstack: Allows multiple instances on the same host without port conflicts.
+	// BindListener bypasses these issues by passing data directly through the bind.
+	if runtime.GOOS != "windows" && runtime.GOOS != "js" && !netstack.IsEnabled() {
 		return NewUDPListener(m.wgIface, peerCfg)
 	}
 

client/internal/peer/ice/agent.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package ice
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
@@ -32,24 +33,6 @@ type ThreadSafeAgent struct {
 	once sync.Once
 }
 
-func (a *ThreadSafeAgent) Close() error {
-	var err error
-	a.once.Do(func() {
-		done := make(chan error, 1)
-		go func() {
-			done <- a.Agent.Close()
-		}()
-
-		select {
-		case err = <-done:
-		case <-time.After(iceAgentCloseTimeout):
-			log.Warnf("ICE agent close timed out after %v, proceeding with cleanup", iceAgentCloseTimeout)
-			err = nil
-		}
-	})
-	return err
-}
-
 func NewAgent(ctx context.Context, iFaceDiscover stdnet.ExternalIFaceDiscover, config Config, candidateTypes []ice.CandidateType, ufrag string, pwd string) (*ThreadSafeAgent, error) {
 	iceKeepAlive := iceKeepAlive()
 	iceDisconnectedTimeout := iceDisconnectedTimeout()
@@ -93,9 +76,41 @@ func NewAgent(ctx context.Context, iFaceDiscover stdnet.ExternalIFaceDiscover, c
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	if agent == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ice.NewAgent returned nil agent without error")
+	}
+
 	return &ThreadSafeAgent{Agent: agent}, nil
 }
 
+func (a *ThreadSafeAgent) Close() error {
+	var err error
+	a.once.Do(func() {
+		// Defensive check to prevent nil pointer dereference
+		// This can happen during sleep/wake transitions or memory corruption scenarios
+		// github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer/ice.(*ThreadSafeAgent).Close(0x40006883f0?)
+		//  [signal 0xc0000005 code=0x0 addr=0x0 pc=0x7ff7e73af83c]
+		agent := a.Agent
+		if agent == nil {
+			log.Warnf("ICE agent is nil during close, skipping")
+			return
+		}
+
+		done := make(chan error, 1)
+		go func() {
+			done <- agent.Close()
+		}()
+
+		select {
+		case err = <-done:
+		case <-time.After(iceAgentCloseTimeout):
+			log.Warnf("ICE agent close timed out after %v, proceeding with cleanup", iceAgentCloseTimeout)
+			err = nil
+		}
+	})
+	return err
+}
+
 func GenerateICECredentials() (string, string, error) {
 	ufrag, err := randutil.GenerateCryptoRandomString(lenUFrag, runesAlpha)
 	if err != nil {

client/internal/peer/worker_ice.go

@@ -107,8 +107,10 @@ func (w *WorkerICE) OnNewOffer(remoteOfferAnswer *OfferAnswer) {
 		}
 		w.log.Debugf("agent already exists, recreate the connection")
 		w.agentDialerCancel()
-		if err := w.agent.Close(); err != nil {
-			w.log.Warnf("failed to close ICE agent: %s", err)
+		if w.agent != nil {
+			if err := w.agent.Close(); err != nil {
+				w.log.Warnf("failed to close ICE agent: %s", err)
+			}
 		}
 
 		sessionID, err := NewICESessionID()

client/internal/profilemanager/config.go

@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ func (config *Config) apply(input ConfigInput) (updated bool, err error) {
 	}
 
 	if config.AdminURL == nil {
-		log.Infof("using default Admin URL %s", DefaultManagementURL)
+		log.Infof("using default Admin URL %s", DefaultAdminURL)
 		config.AdminURL, err = parseURL("Admin URL", DefaultAdminURL)
 		if err != nil {
 			return false, err

client/internal/routemanager/manager.go

@@ -173,12 +173,21 @@ func (m *DefaultManager) setupAndroidRoutes(config ManagerConfig) {
 }
 
 func (m *DefaultManager) setupRefCounters(useNoop bool) {
+	var once sync.Once
+	var wgIface *net.Interface
+	toInterface := func() *net.Interface {
+		once.Do(func() {
+			wgIface = m.wgInterface.ToInterface()
+		})
+		return wgIface
+	}
+
 	m.routeRefCounter = refcounter.New(
 		func(prefix netip.Prefix, _ struct{}) (struct{}, error) {
-			return struct{}{}, m.sysOps.AddVPNRoute(prefix, m.wgInterface.ToInterface())
+			return struct{}{}, m.sysOps.AddVPNRoute(prefix, toInterface())
 		},
 		func(prefix netip.Prefix, _ struct{}) error {
-			return m.sysOps.RemoveVPNRoute(prefix, m.wgInterface.ToInterface())
+			return m.sysOps.RemoveVPNRoute(prefix, toInterface())
 		},
 	)
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/routeflags_bsd.go

@@ -4,16 +4,17 @@ package systemops
 
 import (
 	"strings"
-	"syscall"
+
+	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
 )
 
 // filterRoutesByFlags returns true if the route message should be ignored based on its flags.
 func filterRoutesByFlags(routeMessageFlags int) bool {
-	if routeMessageFlags&syscall.RTF_UP == 0 {
+	if routeMessageFlags&unix.RTF_UP == 0 {
 		return true
 	}
 
-	if routeMessageFlags&(syscall.RTF_REJECT|syscall.RTF_BLACKHOLE|syscall.RTF_WASCLONED) != 0 {
+	if routeMessageFlags&(unix.RTF_REJECT|unix.RTF_BLACKHOLE|unix.RTF_WASCLONED) != 0 {
 		return true
 	}
 
@@ -24,42 +25,51 @@ func filterRoutesByFlags(routeMessageFlags int) bool {
 func formatBSDFlags(flags int) string {
 	var flagStrs []string
 
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_UP != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_UP != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "U")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_GATEWAY != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_GATEWAY != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "G")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_HOST != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_HOST != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "H")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_REJECT != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_REJECT != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "R")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_DYNAMIC != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_DYNAMIC != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "D")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_MODIFIED != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_MODIFIED != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "M")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_STATIC != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_STATIC != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "S")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_LLINFO != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_LLINFO != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "L")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_LOCAL != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_LOCAL != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "l")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_BLACKHOLE != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_BLACKHOLE != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "B")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_CLONING != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_CLONING != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "C")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_WASCLONED != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_WASCLONED != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "W")
 	}
+	if flags&unix.RTF_PROTO1 != 0 {
+		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "1")
+	}
+	if flags&unix.RTF_PROTO2 != 0 {
+		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "2")
+	}
+	if flags&unix.RTF_PROTO3 != 0 {
+		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "3")
+	}
 
 	if len(flagStrs) == 0 {
 		return "-"

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/routeflags_freebsd.go

@@ -4,17 +4,18 @@ package systemops
 
 import (
 	"strings"
-	"syscall"
+
+	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
 )
 
 // filterRoutesByFlags returns true if the route message should be ignored based on its flags.
 func filterRoutesByFlags(routeMessageFlags int) bool {
-	if routeMessageFlags&syscall.RTF_UP == 0 {
+	if routeMessageFlags&unix.RTF_UP == 0 {
 		return true
 	}
 
-	// NOTE: syscall.RTF_WASCLONED deprecated in FreeBSD 8.0
-	if routeMessageFlags&(syscall.RTF_REJECT|syscall.RTF_BLACKHOLE) != 0 {
+	// NOTE: RTF_WASCLONED deprecated in FreeBSD 8.0
+	if routeMessageFlags&(unix.RTF_REJECT|unix.RTF_BLACKHOLE) != 0 {
 		return true
 	}
 
@@ -25,37 +26,46 @@ func filterRoutesByFlags(routeMessageFlags int) bool {
 func formatBSDFlags(flags int) string {
 	var flagStrs []string
 
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_UP != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_UP != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "U")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_GATEWAY != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_GATEWAY != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "G")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_HOST != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_HOST != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "H")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_REJECT != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_REJECT != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "R")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_DYNAMIC != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_DYNAMIC != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "D")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_MODIFIED != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_MODIFIED != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "M")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_STATIC != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_STATIC != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "S")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_LLINFO != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_LLINFO != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "L")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_LOCAL != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_LOCAL != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "l")
 	}
-	if flags&syscall.RTF_BLACKHOLE != 0 {
+	if flags&unix.RTF_BLACKHOLE != 0 {
 		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "B")
 	}
 	// Note: RTF_CLONING and RTF_WASCLONED deprecated in FreeBSD 8.0
+	if flags&unix.RTF_PROTO1 != 0 {
+		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "1")
+	}
+	if flags&unix.RTF_PROTO2 != 0 {
+		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "2")
+	}
+	if flags&unix.RTF_PROTO3 != 0 {
+		flagStrs = append(flagStrs, "3")
+	}
 
 	if len(flagStrs) == 0 {
 		return "-"

go.mod

@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/mdlayher/socket v0.5.1
 	github.com/miekg/dns v1.1.59
 	github.com/mitchellh/hashstructure/v2 v2.0.2
-	github.com/netbirdio/management-integrations/integrations v0.0.0-20260122111742-a6f99668844f
+	github.com/netbirdio/management-integrations/integrations v0.0.0-20260210160626-df4b180c7b25
 	github.com/netbirdio/signal-dispatcher/dispatcher v0.0.0-20250805121659-6b4ac470ca45
 	github.com/oapi-codegen/runtime v1.1.2
 	github.com/okta/okta-sdk-golang/v2 v2.18.0

go.sum

@@ -406,8 +406,8 @@ github.com/netbirdio/go-netroute v0.0.0-20240611143515-f59b0e1d3944 h1:TDtJKmM6S
 github.com/netbirdio/go-netroute v0.0.0-20240611143515-f59b0e1d3944/go.mod h1:sHA6TRxjQ6RLbnI+3R4DZo2Eseg/iKiPRfNmcuNySVQ=
 github.com/netbirdio/ice/v4 v4.0.0-20250908184934-6202be846b51 h1:Ov4qdafATOgGMB1wbSuh+0aAHcwz9hdvB6VZjh1mVMI=
 github.com/netbirdio/ice/v4 v4.0.0-20250908184934-6202be846b51/go.mod h1:ZSIbPdBn5hePO8CpF1PekH2SfpTxg1PDhEwtbqZS7R8=
-github.com/netbirdio/management-integrations/integrations v0.0.0-20260122111742-a6f99668844f h1:CTBf0je/FpKr2lVSMZLak7m8aaWcS6ur4SOfhSSazFI=
-github.com/netbirdio/management-integrations/integrations v0.0.0-20260122111742-a6f99668844f/go.mod h1:y7CxagMYzg9dgu+masRqYM7BQlOGA5Y8US85MCNFPlY=
+github.com/netbirdio/management-integrations/integrations v0.0.0-20260210160626-df4b180c7b25 h1:iwAq/Ncaq0etl4uAlVsbNBzC1yY52o0AmY7uCm2AMTs=
+github.com/netbirdio/management-integrations/integrations v0.0.0-20260210160626-df4b180c7b25/go.mod h1:y7CxagMYzg9dgu+masRqYM7BQlOGA5Y8US85MCNFPlY=
 github.com/netbirdio/service v0.0.0-20240911161631-f62744f42502 h1:3tHlFmhTdX9axERMVN63dqyFqnvuD+EMJHzM7mNGON8=
 github.com/netbirdio/service v0.0.0-20240911161631-f62744f42502/go.mod h1:CIMRFEJVL+0DS1a3Nx06NaMn4Dz63Ng6O7dl0qH0zVM=
 github.com/netbirdio/signal-dispatcher/dispatcher v0.0.0-20250805121659-6b4ac470ca45 h1:ujgviVYmx243Ksy7NdSwrdGPSRNE3pb8kEDSpH0QuAQ=

management/internals/controllers/network_map/controller/controller.go

@@ -247,7 +247,10 @@ func (c *Controller) sendUpdateAccountPeers(ctx context.Context, accountID strin
 			update := grpc.ToSyncResponse(ctx, nil, c.config.HttpConfig, c.config.DeviceAuthorizationFlow, p, nil, nil, remotePeerNetworkMap, dnsDomain, postureChecks, dnsCache, account.Settings, extraSetting, maps.Keys(peerGroups), dnsFwdPort)
 			c.metrics.CountToSyncResponseDuration(time.Since(start))
 
-			c.peersUpdateManager.SendUpdate(ctx, p.ID, &network_map.UpdateMessage{Update: update})
+			c.peersUpdateManager.SendUpdate(ctx, p.ID, &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+				Update:      update,
+				MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+			})
 		}(peer)
 	}
 
@@ -370,7 +373,10 @@ func (c *Controller) UpdateAccountPeer(ctx context.Context, accountId string, pe
 	dnsFwdPort := computeForwarderPort(maps.Values(account.Peers), network_map.DnsForwarderPortMinVersion)
 
 	update := grpc.ToSyncResponse(ctx, nil, c.config.HttpConfig, c.config.DeviceAuthorizationFlow, peer, nil, nil, remotePeerNetworkMap, dnsDomain, postureChecks, dnsCache, account.Settings, extraSettings, maps.Keys(peerGroups), dnsFwdPort)
-	c.peersUpdateManager.SendUpdate(ctx, peer.ID, &network_map.UpdateMessage{Update: update})
+	c.peersUpdateManager.SendUpdate(ctx, peer.ID, &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      update,
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	})
 
 	return nil
 }
@@ -778,6 +784,7 @@ func (c *Controller) OnPeersDeleted(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerI
 					},
 				},
 			},
+			MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
 		})
 		c.peersUpdateManager.CloseChannel(ctx, peerID)
 

management/internals/controllers/network_map/update_channel/updatechannel_test.go

@@ -25,11 +25,14 @@ func TestCreateChannel(t *testing.T) {
 func TestSendUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 	peer := "test-sendupdate"
 	peersUpdater := NewPeersUpdateManager(nil)
-	update1 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{Update: &proto.SyncResponse{
-		NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{
-			Serial: 0,
+	update1 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update: &proto.SyncResponse{
+			NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{
+				Serial: 0,
+			},
 		},
-	}}
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
 	_ = peersUpdater.CreateChannel(context.Background(), peer)
 	if _, ok := peersUpdater.peerChannels[peer]; !ok {
 		t.Error("Error creating the channel")
@@ -45,11 +48,14 @@ func TestSendUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 		peersUpdater.SendUpdate(context.Background(), peer, update1)
 	}
 
-	update2 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{Update: &proto.SyncResponse{
-		NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{
-			Serial: 10,
+	update2 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update: &proto.SyncResponse{
+			NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{
+				Serial: 10,
+			},
 		},
-	}}
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
 
 	peersUpdater.SendUpdate(context.Background(), peer, update2)
 	timeout := time.After(5 * time.Second)

management/internals/controllers/network_map/update_message.go

@@ -4,6 +4,19 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
 )
 
+// MessageType indicates the type of update message for debouncing strategy
+type MessageType int
+
+const (
+	// MessageTypeNetworkMap represents network map updates (peers, routes, DNS, firewall)
+	// These updates can be safely debounced - only the latest state matters
+	MessageTypeNetworkMap MessageType = iota
+	// MessageTypeControlConfig represents control/config updates (tokens, peer expiration)
+	// These updates should not be dropped as they contain time-sensitive information
+	MessageTypeControlConfig
+)
+
 type UpdateMessage struct {
-	Update *proto.SyncResponse
+	Update      *proto.SyncResponse
+	MessageType MessageType
 }

management/internals/server/controllers.go

@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ func (s *BaseServer) ProxyController() port_forwarding.Controller {
 
 func (s *BaseServer) SecretsManager() grpc.SecretsManager {
 	return Create(s, func() grpc.SecretsManager {
-		log.Debugf("Initializing secrets manager")
 		secretsManager, err := grpc.NewTimeBasedAuthSecretsManager(s.PeersUpdateManager(), s.Config.TURNConfig, s.Config.Relay, s.SettingsManager(), s.GroupsManager())
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatalf("failed to create secrets manager: %v", err)

management/internals/shared/grpc/server.go

@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ func (s *Server) Sync(req *proto.EncryptedMessage, srv proto.ManagementService_S
 	metahash := metaHash(peerMeta, realIP.String())
 	s.loginFilter.addLogin(peerKey.String(), metahash)
 
-	peer, netMap, postureChecks, dnsFwdPort, err := s.accountManager.SyncAndMarkPeer(ctx, accountID, peerKey.String(), peerMeta, realIP)
+	peer, netMap, postureChecks, dnsFwdPort, err := s.accountManager.SyncAndMarkPeer(ctx, accountID, peerKey.String(), peerMeta, realIP, reqStart)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("error while syncing peer %s: %v", peerKey.String(), err)
 		s.syncSem.Add(-1)
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ func (s *Server) Sync(req *proto.EncryptedMessage, srv proto.ManagementService_S
 	if err != nil {
 		log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("error while sending initial sync for %s: %v", peerKey.String(), err)
 		s.syncSem.Add(-1)
-		s.cancelPeerRoutinesWithoutLock(ctx, accountID, peer)
+		s.cancelPeerRoutinesWithoutLock(ctx, accountID, peer, reqStart)
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ func (s *Server) Sync(req *proto.EncryptedMessage, srv proto.ManagementService_S
 	if err != nil {
 		log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("error while notify peer connected for %s: %v", peerKey.String(), err)
 		s.syncSem.Add(-1)
-		s.cancelPeerRoutinesWithoutLock(ctx, accountID, peer)
+		s.cancelPeerRoutinesWithoutLock(ctx, accountID, peer, reqStart)
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ func (s *Server) Sync(req *proto.EncryptedMessage, srv proto.ManagementService_S
 
 	s.syncSem.Add(-1)
 
-	return s.handleUpdates(ctx, accountID, peerKey, peer, updates, srv)
+	return s.handleUpdates(ctx, accountID, peerKey, peer, updates, srv, reqStart)
 }
 
 func (s *Server) handleHandshake(ctx context.Context, srv proto.ManagementService_JobServer) (wgtypes.Key, error) {
@@ -404,11 +404,20 @@ func (s *Server) sendJobsLoop(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerKey wgt
 }
 
 // handleUpdates sends updates to the connected peer until the updates channel is closed.
-func (s *Server) handleUpdates(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerKey wgtypes.Key, peer *nbpeer.Peer, updates chan *network_map.UpdateMessage, srv proto.ManagementService_SyncServer) error {
+// It implements a backpressure mechanism that sends the first update immediately,
+// then debounces subsequent rapid updates, ensuring only the latest update is sent
+// after a quiet period.
+func (s *Server) handleUpdates(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerKey wgtypes.Key, peer *nbpeer.Peer, updates chan *network_map.UpdateMessage, srv proto.ManagementService_SyncServer, streamStartTime time.Time) error {
 	log.WithContext(ctx).Tracef("starting to handle updates for peer %s", peerKey.String())
+
+	// Create a debouncer for this peer connection
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(1000 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
 	for {
 		select {
 		// condition when there are some updates
+		// todo set the updates channel size to 1
 		case update, open := <-updates:
 			if s.appMetrics != nil {
 				s.appMetrics.GRPCMetrics().UpdateChannelQueueLength(len(updates) + 1)
@@ -416,20 +425,38 @@ func (s *Server) handleUpdates(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerKey wg
 
 			if !open {
 				log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("updates channel for peer %s was closed", peerKey.String())
-				s.cancelPeerRoutines(ctx, accountID, peer)
+				s.cancelPeerRoutines(ctx, accountID, peer, streamStartTime)
 				return nil
 			}
+
 			log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("received an update for peer %s", peerKey.String())
-			if err := s.sendUpdate(ctx, accountID, peerKey, peer, update, srv); err != nil {
-				log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("error while sending an update to peer %s: %v", peerKey.String(), err)
-				return err
+			if debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update) {
+				// Send immediately (first update or after quiet period)
+				if err := s.sendUpdate(ctx, accountID, peerKey, peer, update, srv, streamStartTime); err != nil {
+					log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("error while sending an update to peer %s: %v", peerKey.String(), err)
+					return err
+				}
+			}
+
+		// Timer expired - quiet period reached, send pending updates if any
+		case <-debouncer.TimerChannel():
+			pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+			if len(pendingUpdates) == 0 {
+				continue
+			}
+			log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("sending %d debounced update(s) for peer %s", len(pendingUpdates), peerKey.String())
+			for _, pendingUpdate := range pendingUpdates {
+				if err := s.sendUpdate(ctx, accountID, peerKey, peer, pendingUpdate, srv, streamStartTime); err != nil {
+					log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("error while sending an update to peer %s: %v", peerKey.String(), err)
+					return err
+				}
 			}
 
 		// condition when client <-> server connection has been terminated
 		case <-srv.Context().Done():
 			// happens when connection drops, e.g. client disconnects
 			log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("stream of peer %s has been closed", peerKey.String())
-			s.cancelPeerRoutines(ctx, accountID, peer)
+			s.cancelPeerRoutines(ctx, accountID, peer, streamStartTime)
 			return srv.Context().Err()
 		}
 	}
@@ -437,16 +464,16 @@ func (s *Server) handleUpdates(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerKey wg
 
 // sendUpdate encrypts the update message using the peer key and the server's wireguard key,
 // then sends the encrypted message to the connected peer via the sync server.
-func (s *Server) sendUpdate(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerKey wgtypes.Key, peer *nbpeer.Peer, update *network_map.UpdateMessage, srv proto.ManagementService_SyncServer) error {
+func (s *Server) sendUpdate(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerKey wgtypes.Key, peer *nbpeer.Peer, update *network_map.UpdateMessage, srv proto.ManagementService_SyncServer, streamStartTime time.Time) error {
 	key, err := s.secretsManager.GetWGKey()
 	if err != nil {
-		s.cancelPeerRoutines(ctx, accountID, peer)
+		s.cancelPeerRoutines(ctx, accountID, peer, streamStartTime)
 		return status.Errorf(codes.Internal, "failed processing update message")
 	}
 
 	encryptedResp, err := encryption.EncryptMessage(peerKey, key, update.Update)
 	if err != nil {
-		s.cancelPeerRoutines(ctx, accountID, peer)
+		s.cancelPeerRoutines(ctx, accountID, peer, streamStartTime)
 		return status.Errorf(codes.Internal, "failed processing update message")
 	}
 	err = srv.Send(&proto.EncryptedMessage{
@@ -454,7 +481,7 @@ func (s *Server) sendUpdate(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerKey wgtyp
 		Body:     encryptedResp,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
-		s.cancelPeerRoutines(ctx, accountID, peer)
+		s.cancelPeerRoutines(ctx, accountID, peer, streamStartTime)
 		return status.Errorf(codes.Internal, "failed sending update message")
 	}
 	log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("sent an update to peer %s", peerKey.String())
@@ -486,15 +513,15 @@ func (s *Server) sendJob(ctx context.Context, peerKey wgtypes.Key, job *job.Even
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *Server) cancelPeerRoutines(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peer *nbpeer.Peer) {
+func (s *Server) cancelPeerRoutines(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peer *nbpeer.Peer, streamStartTime time.Time) {
 	unlock := s.acquirePeerLockByUID(ctx, peer.Key)
 	defer unlock()
 
-	s.cancelPeerRoutinesWithoutLock(ctx, accountID, peer)
+	s.cancelPeerRoutinesWithoutLock(ctx, accountID, peer, streamStartTime)
 }
 
-func (s *Server) cancelPeerRoutinesWithoutLock(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peer *nbpeer.Peer) {
-	err := s.accountManager.OnPeerDisconnected(ctx, accountID, peer.Key)
+func (s *Server) cancelPeerRoutinesWithoutLock(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peer *nbpeer.Peer, streamStartTime time.Time) {
+	err := s.accountManager.OnPeerDisconnected(ctx, accountID, peer.Key, streamStartTime)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.WithContext(ctx).Errorf("failed to disconnect peer %s properly: %v", peer.Key, err)
 	}

management/internals/shared/grpc/token_mgr.go

@@ -95,7 +95,6 @@ func NewTimeBasedAuthSecretsManager(updateManager network_map.PeersUpdateManager
 
 // GetWGKey returns WireGuard private key used to generate peer keys
 func (m *TimeBasedAuthSecretsManager) GetWGKey() (wgtypes.Key, error) {
-	log.Debug("returning wg key from secrets manager")
 	return m.wgKey, nil
 }
 
@@ -243,7 +242,10 @@ func (m *TimeBasedAuthSecretsManager) pushNewTURNAndRelayTokens(ctx context.Cont
 	m.extendNetbirdConfig(ctx, peerID, accountID, update)
 
 	log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("sending new TURN credentials to peer %s", peerID)
-	m.updateManager.SendUpdate(ctx, peerID, &network_map.UpdateMessage{Update: update})
+	m.updateManager.SendUpdate(ctx, peerID, &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      update,
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeControlConfig,
+	})
 }
 
 func (m *TimeBasedAuthSecretsManager) pushNewRelayTokens(ctx context.Context, accountID, peerID string) {
@@ -267,7 +269,10 @@ func (m *TimeBasedAuthSecretsManager) pushNewRelayTokens(ctx context.Context, ac
 	m.extendNetbirdConfig(ctx, peerID, accountID, update)
 
 	log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("sending new relay credentials to peer %s", peerID)
-	m.updateManager.SendUpdate(ctx, peerID, &network_map.UpdateMessage{Update: update})
+	m.updateManager.SendUpdate(ctx, peerID, &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      update,
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeControlConfig,
+	})
 }
 
 func (m *TimeBasedAuthSecretsManager) extendNetbirdConfig(ctx context.Context, peerID, accountID string, update *proto.SyncResponse) {

management/internals/shared/grpc/update_debouncer.go

@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+package grpc
+
+import (
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map"
+)
+
+// UpdateDebouncer implements a backpressure mechanism that:
+// - Sends the first update immediately
+// - Coalesces rapid subsequent network map updates (only latest matters)
+// - Queues control/config updates (all must be delivered)
+// - Preserves the order of messages (important for control configs between network maps)
+// - Ensures pending updates are sent after a quiet period
+type UpdateDebouncer struct {
+	debounceInterval time.Duration
+	timer            *time.Timer
+	pendingUpdates   []*network_map.UpdateMessage // Queue that preserves order
+	timerC           <-chan time.Time
+}
+
+// NewUpdateDebouncer creates a new debouncer with the specified interval
+func NewUpdateDebouncer(interval time.Duration) *UpdateDebouncer {
+	return &UpdateDebouncer{
+		debounceInterval: interval,
+	}
+}
+
+// ProcessUpdate handles an incoming update and returns whether it should be sent immediately
+func (d *UpdateDebouncer) ProcessUpdate(update *network_map.UpdateMessage) bool {
+	if d.timer == nil {
+		// No active debounce timer, signal to send immediately
+		// and start the debounce period
+		d.startTimer()
+		return true
+	}
+
+	// Already in debounce period, accumulate this update preserving order
+	// Check if we should coalesce with the last pending update
+	if len(d.pendingUpdates) > 0 &&
+		update.MessageType == network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap &&
+		d.pendingUpdates[len(d.pendingUpdates)-1].MessageType == network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap {
+		// Replace the last network map with this one (coalesce consecutive network maps)
+		d.pendingUpdates[len(d.pendingUpdates)-1] = update
+	} else {
+		// Append to the queue (preserves order for control configs and non-consecutive network maps)
+		d.pendingUpdates = append(d.pendingUpdates, update)
+	}
+	d.resetTimer()
+	return false
+}
+
+// TimerChannel returns the timer channel for select statements
+func (d *UpdateDebouncer) TimerChannel() <-chan time.Time {
+	if d.timer == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return d.timerC
+}
+
+// GetPendingUpdates returns and clears all pending updates after timer expiration.
+// Updates are returned in the order they were received, with consecutive network maps
+// already coalesced to only the latest one.
+// If there were pending updates, it restarts the timer to continue debouncing.
+// If there were no pending updates, it clears the timer (true quiet period).
+func (d *UpdateDebouncer) GetPendingUpdates() []*network_map.UpdateMessage {
+	updates := d.pendingUpdates
+	d.pendingUpdates = nil
+
+	if len(updates) > 0 {
+		// There were pending updates, so updates are still coming rapidly
+		// Restart the timer to continue debouncing mode
+		if d.timer != nil {
+			d.timer.Reset(d.debounceInterval)
+		}
+	} else {
+		// No pending updates means true quiet period - return to immediate mode
+		d.timer = nil
+		d.timerC = nil
+	}
+
+	return updates
+}
+
+// Stop stops the debouncer and cleans up resources
+func (d *UpdateDebouncer) Stop() {
+	if d.timer != nil {
+		d.timer.Stop()
+		d.timer = nil
+		d.timerC = nil
+	}
+	d.pendingUpdates = nil
+}
+
+func (d *UpdateDebouncer) startTimer() {
+	d.timer = time.NewTimer(d.debounceInterval)
+	d.timerC = d.timer.C
+}
+
+func (d *UpdateDebouncer) resetTimer() {
+	d.timer.Stop()
+	d.timer.Reset(d.debounceInterval)
+}

management/internals/shared/grpc/update_debouncer_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,587 @@
+package grpc
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
+)
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_FirstUpdateSentImmediately(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	update := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+
+	shouldSend := debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update)
+
+	if !shouldSend {
+		t.Error("First update should be sent immediately")
+	}
+
+	if debouncer.TimerChannel() == nil {
+		t.Error("Timer should be started after first update")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_RapidUpdatesCoalesced(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	update1 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+	update2 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+	update3 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+
+	// First update should be sent immediately
+	if !debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update1) {
+		t.Error("First update should be sent immediately")
+	}
+
+	// Rapid subsequent updates should be coalesced
+	if debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update2) {
+		t.Error("Second rapid update should not be sent immediately")
+	}
+
+	if debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update3) {
+		t.Error("Third rapid update should not be sent immediately")
+	}
+
+	// Wait for debounce period
+	select {
+	case <-debouncer.TimerChannel():
+		pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+		if len(pendingUpdates) != 1 {
+			t.Errorf("Should get exactly 1 pending update, got %d", len(pendingUpdates))
+		}
+		if pendingUpdates[0] != update3 {
+			t.Error("Should get the last update (update3)")
+		}
+	case <-time.After(100 * time.Millisecond):
+		t.Error("Timer should have fired")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_LastUpdateAlwaysSent(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(30 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	update1 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+	update2 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+
+	// Send first update
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update1)
+
+	// Send second update within debounce period
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update2)
+
+	// Wait for timer
+	select {
+	case <-debouncer.TimerChannel():
+		pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+		if len(pendingUpdates) != 1 {
+			t.Errorf("Should get exactly 1 pending update, got %d", len(pendingUpdates))
+		}
+		if pendingUpdates[0] != update2 {
+			t.Error("Should get the last update")
+		}
+		if pendingUpdates[0] == update1 {
+			t.Error("Should not get the first update")
+		}
+	case <-time.After(100 * time.Millisecond):
+		t.Error("Timer should have fired")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_TimerResetOnNewUpdate(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	update1 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+	update2 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+	update3 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+
+	// Send first update
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update1)
+
+	// Wait a bit, but not the full debounce period
+	time.Sleep(30 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	// Send second update - should reset timer
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update2)
+
+	// Wait a bit more
+	time.Sleep(30 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	// Send third update - should reset timer again
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update3)
+
+	// Now wait for the timer (should fire after last update's reset)
+	select {
+	case <-debouncer.TimerChannel():
+		pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+		if len(pendingUpdates) != 1 {
+			t.Errorf("Should get exactly 1 pending update, got %d", len(pendingUpdates))
+		}
+		if pendingUpdates[0] != update3 {
+			t.Error("Should get the last update (update3)")
+		}
+		// Timer should be restarted since there was a pending update
+		if debouncer.TimerChannel() == nil {
+			t.Error("Timer should be restarted after sending pending update")
+		}
+	case <-time.After(150 * time.Millisecond):
+		t.Error("Timer should have fired")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_TimerRestartsAfterPendingUpdateSent(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(30 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	update1 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+	update2 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+	update3 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+
+	// First update sent immediately
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update1)
+
+	// Second update coalesced
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update2)
+
+	// Wait for timer to expire
+	select {
+	case <-debouncer.TimerChannel():
+		pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+
+		if len(pendingUpdates) == 0 {
+			t.Fatal("Should have pending update")
+		}
+
+		// After sending pending update, timer is restarted, so next update is NOT immediate
+		if debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update3) {
+			t.Error("Update after debounced send should not be sent immediately (timer restarted)")
+		}
+
+		// Wait for the restarted timer and verify update3 is pending
+		select {
+		case <-debouncer.TimerChannel():
+			finalUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+			if len(finalUpdates) != 1 || finalUpdates[0] != update3 {
+				t.Error("Should get update3 as pending")
+			}
+		case <-time.After(100 * time.Millisecond):
+			t.Error("Timer should have fired for restarted timer")
+		}
+	case <-time.After(100 * time.Millisecond):
+		t.Error("Timer should have fired")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_StopCleansUp(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(50 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	update := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+
+	// Send update to start timer
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update)
+
+	// Stop should clean up
+	debouncer.Stop()
+
+	// Multiple stops should be safe
+	debouncer.Stop()
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_HighFrequencyUpdates(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	// Simulate high-frequency updates
+	var lastUpdate *network_map.UpdateMessage
+	sentImmediately := 0
+	for i := 0; i < 100; i++ {
+		update := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+			Update: &proto.SyncResponse{
+				NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{
+					Serial: uint64(i),
+				},
+			},
+			MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+		}
+		lastUpdate = update
+		if debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update) {
+			sentImmediately++
+		}
+		time.Sleep(1 * time.Millisecond) // Very rapid updates
+	}
+
+	// Only first update should be sent immediately
+	if sentImmediately != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("Expected only 1 update sent immediately, got %d", sentImmediately)
+	}
+
+	// Wait for debounce period
+	select {
+	case <-debouncer.TimerChannel():
+		pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+		if len(pendingUpdates) != 1 {
+			t.Errorf("Should get exactly 1 pending update, got %d", len(pendingUpdates))
+		}
+		if pendingUpdates[0] != lastUpdate {
+			t.Error("Should get the very last update")
+		}
+		if pendingUpdates[0].Update.NetworkMap.Serial != 99 {
+			t.Errorf("Expected serial 99, got %d", pendingUpdates[0].Update.NetworkMap.Serial)
+		}
+	case <-time.After(200 * time.Millisecond):
+		t.Error("Timer should have fired")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_NoUpdatesAfterFirst(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(30 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	update := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+
+	// Send first update
+	if !debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update) {
+		t.Error("First update should be sent immediately")
+	}
+
+	// Wait for timer to expire with no additional updates (true quiet period)
+	select {
+	case <-debouncer.TimerChannel():
+		pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+		if len(pendingUpdates) != 0 {
+			t.Error("Should have no pending updates")
+		}
+		// After true quiet period, timer should be cleared
+		if debouncer.TimerChannel() != nil {
+			t.Error("Timer should be cleared after quiet period")
+		}
+	case <-time.After(100 * time.Millisecond):
+		t.Error("Timer should have fired")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_IntermediateUpdatesDropped(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	updates := make([]*network_map.UpdateMessage, 5)
+	for i := range updates {
+		updates[i] = &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+			Update: &proto.SyncResponse{
+				NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{
+					Serial: uint64(i),
+				},
+			},
+			MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+		}
+	}
+
+	// First update sent immediately
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(updates[0])
+
+	// Send updates 1, 2, 3, 4 rapidly - only last one should remain pending
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(updates[1])
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(updates[2])
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(updates[3])
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(updates[4])
+
+	// Wait for debounce
+	<-debouncer.TimerChannel()
+	pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+
+	if len(pendingUpdates) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("Should get exactly 1 pending update, got %d", len(pendingUpdates))
+	}
+	if pendingUpdates[0].Update.NetworkMap.Serial != 4 {
+		t.Errorf("Expected only the last update (serial 4), got serial %d", pendingUpdates[0].Update.NetworkMap.Serial)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_TrueQuietPeriodResetsToImmediateMode(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(30 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	update1 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+	update2 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+
+	// First update sent immediately
+	if !debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update1) {
+		t.Error("First update should be sent immediately")
+	}
+
+	// Wait for timer without sending any more updates (true quiet period)
+	<-debouncer.TimerChannel()
+	pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+
+	if len(pendingUpdates) != 0 {
+		t.Error("Should have no pending updates during quiet period")
+	}
+
+	// After true quiet period, next update should be sent immediately
+	if !debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update2) {
+		t.Error("Update after true quiet period should be sent immediately")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_ContinuousHighFrequencyStaysInDebounceMode(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	// Simulate continuous high-frequency updates
+	for i := 0; i < 10; i++ {
+		update := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+			Update: &proto.SyncResponse{
+				NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{
+					Serial: uint64(i),
+				},
+			},
+			MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+		}
+
+		if i == 0 {
+			// First one sent immediately
+			if !debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update) {
+				t.Error("First update should be sent immediately")
+			}
+		} else {
+			// All others should be coalesced (not sent immediately)
+			if debouncer.ProcessUpdate(update) {
+				t.Errorf("Update %d should not be sent immediately", i)
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Wait a bit but send next update before debounce expires
+		time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+
+	// Now wait for final debounce
+	select {
+	case <-debouncer.TimerChannel():
+		pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+		if len(pendingUpdates) == 0 {
+			t.Fatal("Should have the last update pending")
+		}
+		if pendingUpdates[0].Update.NetworkMap.Serial != 9 {
+			t.Errorf("Expected serial 9, got %d", pendingUpdates[0].Update.NetworkMap.Serial)
+		}
+	case <-time.After(200 * time.Millisecond):
+		t.Error("Timer should have fired")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_ControlConfigMessagesQueued(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	netmapUpdate := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{Serial: 1}},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+	tokenUpdate1 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{NetbirdConfig: &proto.NetbirdConfig{}},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeControlConfig,
+	}
+	tokenUpdate2 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{NetbirdConfig: &proto.NetbirdConfig{}},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeControlConfig,
+	}
+
+	// First update sent immediately
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(netmapUpdate)
+
+	// Send multiple control config updates - they should all be queued
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(tokenUpdate1)
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(tokenUpdate2)
+
+	// Wait for debounce period
+	select {
+	case <-debouncer.TimerChannel():
+		pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+		// Should get both control config updates
+		if len(pendingUpdates) != 2 {
+			t.Errorf("Expected 2 control config updates, got %d", len(pendingUpdates))
+		}
+		// Control configs should come first
+		if pendingUpdates[0] != tokenUpdate1 {
+			t.Error("First pending update should be tokenUpdate1")
+		}
+		if pendingUpdates[1] != tokenUpdate2 {
+			t.Error("Second pending update should be tokenUpdate2")
+		}
+	case <-time.After(200 * time.Millisecond):
+		t.Error("Timer should have fired")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_MixedMessageTypes(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	netmapUpdate1 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{Serial: 1}},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+	netmapUpdate2 := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{Serial: 2}},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+	tokenUpdate := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{NetbirdConfig: &proto.NetbirdConfig{}},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeControlConfig,
+	}
+
+	// First update sent immediately
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(netmapUpdate1)
+
+	// Send token update and network map update
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(tokenUpdate)
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(netmapUpdate2)
+
+	// Wait for debounce period
+	select {
+	case <-debouncer.TimerChannel():
+		pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+		// Should get 2 updates in order: token, then network map
+		if len(pendingUpdates) != 2 {
+			t.Errorf("Expected 2 pending updates, got %d", len(pendingUpdates))
+		}
+		// Token update should come first (preserves order)
+		if pendingUpdates[0] != tokenUpdate {
+			t.Error("First pending update should be tokenUpdate")
+		}
+		// Network map update should come second
+		if pendingUpdates[1] != netmapUpdate2 {
+			t.Error("Second pending update should be netmapUpdate2")
+		}
+	case <-time.After(200 * time.Millisecond):
+		t.Error("Timer should have fired")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateDebouncer_OrderPreservation(t *testing.T) {
+	debouncer := NewUpdateDebouncer(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer debouncer.Stop()
+
+	// Simulate: 50 network maps -> 1 control config -> 50 network maps
+	// Expected result: 3 messages (netmap, controlConfig, netmap)
+
+	// Send first network map immediately
+	firstNetmap := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{Serial: 0}},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+	}
+	if !debouncer.ProcessUpdate(firstNetmap) {
+		t.Error("First update should be sent immediately")
+	}
+
+	// Send 49 more network maps (will be coalesced to last one)
+	var lastNetmapBatch1 *network_map.UpdateMessage
+	for i := 1; i < 50; i++ {
+		lastNetmapBatch1 = &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+			Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{Serial: uint64(i)}},
+			MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+		}
+		debouncer.ProcessUpdate(lastNetmapBatch1)
+	}
+
+	// Send 1 control config
+	controlConfig := &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+		Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{NetbirdConfig: &proto.NetbirdConfig{}},
+		MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeControlConfig,
+	}
+	debouncer.ProcessUpdate(controlConfig)
+
+	// Send 50 more network maps (will be coalesced to last one)
+	var lastNetmapBatch2 *network_map.UpdateMessage
+	for i := 50; i < 100; i++ {
+		lastNetmapBatch2 = &network_map.UpdateMessage{
+			Update:      &proto.SyncResponse{NetworkMap: &proto.NetworkMap{Serial: uint64(i)}},
+			MessageType: network_map.MessageTypeNetworkMap,
+		}
+		debouncer.ProcessUpdate(lastNetmapBatch2)
+	}
+
+	// Wait for debounce period
+	select {
+	case <-debouncer.TimerChannel():
+		pendingUpdates := debouncer.GetPendingUpdates()
+		// Should get exactly 3 updates: netmap, controlConfig, netmap
+		if len(pendingUpdates) != 3 {
+			t.Errorf("Expected 3 pending updates, got %d", len(pendingUpdates))
+		}
+		// First should be the last netmap from batch 1
+		if pendingUpdates[0] != lastNetmapBatch1 {
+			t.Error("First pending update should be last netmap from batch 1")
+		}
+		if pendingUpdates[0].Update.NetworkMap.Serial != 49 {
+			t.Errorf("Expected serial 49, got %d", pendingUpdates[0].Update.NetworkMap.Serial)
+		}
+		// Second should be the control config
+		if pendingUpdates[1] != controlConfig {
+			t.Error("Second pending update should be control config")
+		}
+		// Third should be the last netmap from batch 2
+		if pendingUpdates[2] != lastNetmapBatch2 {
+			t.Error("Third pending update should be last netmap from batch 2")
+		}
+		if pendingUpdates[2].Update.NetworkMap.Serial != 99 {
+			t.Errorf("Expected serial 99, got %d", pendingUpdates[2].Update.NetworkMap.Serial)
+		}
+	case <-time.After(200 * time.Millisecond):
+		t.Error("Timer should have fired")
+	}
+}

management/server/account.go

@@ -1670,13 +1670,13 @@ func domainIsUpToDate(domain string, domainCategory string, userAuth auth.UserAu
 	return domainCategory == types.PrivateCategory || userAuth.DomainCategory != types.PrivateCategory || domain != userAuth.Domain
 }
 
-func (am *DefaultAccountManager) SyncAndMarkPeer(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string, meta nbpeer.PeerSystemMeta, realIP net.IP) (*nbpeer.Peer, *types.NetworkMap, []*posture.Checks, int64, error) {
+func (am *DefaultAccountManager) SyncAndMarkPeer(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string, meta nbpeer.PeerSystemMeta, realIP net.IP, syncTime time.Time) (*nbpeer.Peer, *types.NetworkMap, []*posture.Checks, int64, error) {
 	peer, netMap, postureChecks, dnsfwdPort, err := am.SyncPeer(ctx, types.PeerSync{WireGuardPubKey: peerPubKey, Meta: meta}, accountID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, nil, 0, fmt.Errorf("error syncing peer: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	err = am.MarkPeerConnected(ctx, peerPubKey, true, realIP, accountID)
+	err = am.MarkPeerConnected(ctx, peerPubKey, true, realIP, accountID, syncTime)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.WithContext(ctx).Warnf("failed marking peer as connected %s %v", peerPubKey, err)
 	}
@@ -1684,8 +1684,20 @@ func (am *DefaultAccountManager) SyncAndMarkPeer(ctx context.Context, accountID
 	return peer, netMap, postureChecks, dnsfwdPort, nil
 }
 
-func (am *DefaultAccountManager) OnPeerDisconnected(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string) error {
-	err := am.MarkPeerConnected(ctx, peerPubKey, false, nil, accountID)
+func (am *DefaultAccountManager) OnPeerDisconnected(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string, streamStartTime time.Time) error {
+	peer, err := am.Store.GetPeerByPeerPubKey(ctx, store.LockingStrengthNone, peerPubKey)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.WithContext(ctx).Warnf("failed to get peer %s for disconnect check: %v", peerPubKey, err)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if peer.Status.LastSeen.After(streamStartTime) {
+		log.WithContext(ctx).Tracef("peer %s has newer activity (lastSeen=%s > streamStart=%s), skipping disconnect",
+			peerPubKey, peer.Status.LastSeen.Format(time.RFC3339), streamStartTime.Format(time.RFC3339))
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	err = am.MarkPeerConnected(ctx, peerPubKey, false, nil, accountID, time.Now().UTC())
 	if err != nil {
 		log.WithContext(ctx).Warnf("failed marking peer as disconnected %s %v", peerPubKey, err)
 	}

management/server/account/manager.go

@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ type Manager interface {
 	GetUserFromUserAuth(ctx context.Context, userAuth auth.UserAuth) (*types.User, error)
 	ListUsers(ctx context.Context, accountID string) ([]*types.User, error)
 	GetPeers(ctx context.Context, accountID, userID, nameFilter, ipFilter string) ([]*nbpeer.Peer, error)
-	MarkPeerConnected(ctx context.Context, peerKey string, connected bool, realIP net.IP, accountID string) error
+	MarkPeerConnected(ctx context.Context, peerKey string, connected bool, realIP net.IP, accountID string, syncTime time.Time) error
 	DeletePeer(ctx context.Context, accountID, peerID, userID string) error
 	UpdatePeer(ctx context.Context, accountID, userID string, peer *nbpeer.Peer) (*nbpeer.Peer, error)
 	UpdatePeerIP(ctx context.Context, accountID, userID, peerID string, newIP netip.Addr) error
@@ -114,8 +114,8 @@ type Manager interface {
 	UpdateIntegratedValidator(ctx context.Context, accountID, userID, validator string, groups []string) error
 	GroupValidation(ctx context.Context, accountId string, groups []string) (bool, error)
 	GetValidatedPeers(ctx context.Context, accountID string) (map[string]struct{}, map[string]string, error)
-	SyncAndMarkPeer(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string, meta nbpeer.PeerSystemMeta, realIP net.IP) (*nbpeer.Peer, *types.NetworkMap, []*posture.Checks, int64, error)
-	OnPeerDisconnected(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string) error
+	SyncAndMarkPeer(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string, meta nbpeer.PeerSystemMeta, realIP net.IP, syncTime time.Time) (*nbpeer.Peer, *types.NetworkMap, []*posture.Checks, int64, error)
+	OnPeerDisconnected(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string, streamStartTime time.Time) error
 	SyncPeerMeta(ctx context.Context, peerPubKey string, meta nbpeer.PeerSystemMeta) error
 	FindExistingPostureCheck(accountID string, checks *posture.ChecksDefinition) (*posture.Checks, error)
 	GetAccountIDForPeerKey(ctx context.Context, peerKey string) (string, error)

management/server/account_test.go

@@ -1881,7 +1881,7 @@ func TestDefaultAccountManager_UpdatePeer_PeerLoginExpiration(t *testing.T) {
 	accountID, err := manager.GetAccountIDByUserID(context.Background(), auth.UserAuth{UserId: userID})
 	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to get the account")
 
-	err = manager.MarkPeerConnected(context.Background(), key.PublicKey().String(), true, nil, accountID)
+	err = manager.MarkPeerConnected(context.Background(), key.PublicKey().String(), true, nil, accountID, time.Now().UTC())
 	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to mark peer connected")
 
 	_, err = manager.UpdateAccountSettings(context.Background(), accountID, userID, &types.Settings{
@@ -1952,7 +1952,7 @@ func TestDefaultAccountManager_MarkPeerConnected_PeerLoginExpiration(t *testing.
 	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to get the account")
 
 	// when we mark peer as connected, the peer login expiration routine should trigger
-	err = manager.MarkPeerConnected(context.Background(), key.PublicKey().String(), true, nil, accountID)
+	err = manager.MarkPeerConnected(context.Background(), key.PublicKey().String(), true, nil, accountID, time.Now().UTC())
 	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to mark peer connected")
 
 	failed := waitTimeout(wg, time.Second)
@@ -1961,6 +1961,82 @@ func TestDefaultAccountManager_MarkPeerConnected_PeerLoginExpiration(t *testing.
 	}
 }
 
+func TestDefaultAccountManager_OnPeerDisconnected_LastSeenCheck(t *testing.T) {
+	manager, _, err := createManager(t)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create account manager")
+
+	accountID, err := manager.GetAccountIDByUserID(context.Background(), auth.UserAuth{UserId: userID})
+	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create an account")
+
+	key, err := wgtypes.GenerateKey()
+	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to generate WireGuard key")
+	peerPubKey := key.PublicKey().String()
+
+	_, _, _, err = manager.AddPeer(context.Background(), "", "", userID, &nbpeer.Peer{
+		Key:  peerPubKey,
+		Meta: nbpeer.PeerSystemMeta{Hostname: "test-peer"},
+	}, false)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to add peer")
+
+	t.Run("disconnect peer when streamStartTime is after LastSeen", func(t *testing.T) {
+		err = manager.MarkPeerConnected(context.Background(), peerPubKey, true, nil, accountID, time.Now().UTC())
+		require.NoError(t, err, "unable to mark peer connected")
+
+		peer, err := manager.Store.GetPeerByPeerPubKey(context.Background(), store.LockingStrengthNone, peerPubKey)
+		require.NoError(t, err, "unable to get peer")
+		require.True(t, peer.Status.Connected, "peer should be connected")
+
+		streamStartTime := time.Now().UTC()
+
+		err = manager.OnPeerDisconnected(context.Background(), accountID, peerPubKey, streamStartTime)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		peer, err = manager.Store.GetPeerByPeerPubKey(context.Background(), store.LockingStrengthNone, peerPubKey)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.False(t, peer.Status.Connected, "peer should be disconnected")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("skip disconnect when LastSeen is after streamStartTime (zombie stream protection)", func(t *testing.T) {
+		err = manager.MarkPeerConnected(context.Background(), peerPubKey, true, nil, accountID, time.Now().UTC())
+		require.NoError(t, err, "unable to mark peer connected")
+
+		peer, err := manager.Store.GetPeerByPeerPubKey(context.Background(), store.LockingStrengthNone, peerPubKey)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.True(t, peer.Status.Connected, "peer should be connected")
+
+		streamStartTime := peer.Status.LastSeen.Add(-1 * time.Hour)
+
+		err = manager.OnPeerDisconnected(context.Background(), accountID, peerPubKey, streamStartTime)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		peer, err = manager.Store.GetPeerByPeerPubKey(context.Background(), store.LockingStrengthNone, peerPubKey)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.True(t, peer.Status.Connected,
+			"peer should remain connected because LastSeen > streamStartTime (zombie stream protection)")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("skip stale connect when peer already has newer LastSeen (blocked goroutine protection)", func(t *testing.T) {
+		node2SyncTime := time.Now().UTC()
+		err = manager.MarkPeerConnected(context.Background(), peerPubKey, true, nil, accountID, node2SyncTime)
+		require.NoError(t, err, "node 2 should connect peer")
+
+		peer, err := manager.Store.GetPeerByPeerPubKey(context.Background(), store.LockingStrengthNone, peerPubKey)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.True(t, peer.Status.Connected, "peer should be connected")
+		require.Equal(t, node2SyncTime.Unix(), peer.Status.LastSeen.Unix(), "LastSeen should be node2SyncTime")
+
+		node1StaleSyncTime := node2SyncTime.Add(-1 * time.Minute)
+		err = manager.MarkPeerConnected(context.Background(), peerPubKey, true, nil, accountID, node1StaleSyncTime)
+		require.NoError(t, err, "stale connect should not return error")
+
+		peer, err = manager.Store.GetPeerByPeerPubKey(context.Background(), store.LockingStrengthNone, peerPubKey)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.True(t, peer.Status.Connected, "peer should still be connected")
+		require.Equal(t, node2SyncTime.Unix(), peer.Status.LastSeen.Unix(),
+			"LastSeen should NOT be overwritten by stale syncTime from blocked goroutine")
+	})
+}
+
 func TestDefaultAccountManager_UpdateAccountSettings_PeerLoginExpiration(t *testing.T) {
 	manager, _, err := createManager(t)
 	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to create account manager")
@@ -1983,7 +2059,7 @@ func TestDefaultAccountManager_UpdateAccountSettings_PeerLoginExpiration(t *test
 	account, err := manager.Store.GetAccount(context.Background(), accountID)
 	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to get the account")
 
-	err = manager.MarkPeerConnected(context.Background(), key.PublicKey().String(), true, nil, accountID)
+	err = manager.MarkPeerConnected(context.Background(), key.PublicKey().String(), true, nil, accountID, time.Now().UTC())
 	require.NoError(t, err, "unable to mark peer connected")
 
 	wg := &sync.WaitGroup{}
@@ -3176,7 +3252,7 @@ func BenchmarkSyncAndMarkPeer(b *testing.B) {
 			b.ResetTimer()
 			start := time.Now()
 			for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-				_, _, _, _, err := manager.SyncAndMarkPeer(context.Background(), account.Id, account.Peers["peer-1"].Key, nbpeer.PeerSystemMeta{Hostname: strconv.Itoa(i)}, net.IP{1, 1, 1, 1})
+				_, _, _, _, err := manager.SyncAndMarkPeer(context.Background(), account.Id, account.Peers["peer-1"].Key, nbpeer.PeerSystemMeta{Hostname: strconv.Itoa(i)}, net.IP{1, 1, 1, 1}, time.Now().UTC())
 				assert.NoError(b, err)
 			}
 

management/server/http/handler.go

@@ -9,10 +9,11 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/gorilla/mux"
-	idpmanager "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/idp"
 	"github.com/rs/cors"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
+	idpmanager "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/idp"
+
 	"github.com/netbirdio/management-integrations/integrations"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/modules/zones"
@@ -137,7 +138,7 @@ func NewAPIHandler(ctx context.Context, accountManager account.Manager, networks
 	}
 
 	accounts.AddEndpoints(accountManager, settingsManager, router)
-	peers.AddEndpoints(accountManager, router, networkMapController)
+	peers.AddEndpoints(accountManager, router, networkMapController, permissionsManager)
 	users.AddEndpoints(accountManager, router)
 	users.AddInvitesEndpoints(accountManager, router)
 	users.AddPublicInvitesEndpoints(accountManager, router)

management/server/http/handlers/peers/peers_handler.go

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import (
 	nbcontext "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/context"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/groups"
 	nbpeer "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/peer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/permissions"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/types"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/http/api"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/http/util"
@@ -26,11 +27,12 @@ import (
 // Handler is a handler that returns peers of the account
 type Handler struct {
 	accountManager       account.Manager
+	permissionsManager   permissions.Manager
 	networkMapController network_map.Controller
 }
 
-func AddEndpoints(accountManager account.Manager, router *mux.Router, networkMapController network_map.Controller) {
-	peersHandler := NewHandler(accountManager, networkMapController)
+func AddEndpoints(accountManager account.Manager, router *mux.Router, networkMapController network_map.Controller, permissionsManager permissions.Manager) {
+	peersHandler := NewHandler(accountManager, networkMapController, permissionsManager)
 	router.HandleFunc("/peers", peersHandler.GetAllPeers).Methods("GET", "OPTIONS")
 	router.HandleFunc("/peers/{peerId}", peersHandler.HandlePeer).
 		Methods("GET", "PUT", "DELETE", "OPTIONS")
@@ -42,10 +44,11 @@ func AddEndpoints(accountManager account.Manager, router *mux.Router, networkMap
 }
 
 // NewHandler creates a new peers Handler
-func NewHandler(accountManager account.Manager, networkMapController network_map.Controller) *Handler {
+func NewHandler(accountManager account.Manager, networkMapController network_map.Controller, permissionsManager permissions.Manager) *Handler {
 	return &Handler{
 		accountManager:       accountManager,
 		networkMapController: networkMapController,
+		permissionsManager:   permissionsManager,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -359,13 +362,19 @@ func (h *Handler) GetAccessiblePeers(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	account, err := h.accountManager.GetAccountByID(r.Context(), accountID, activity.SystemInitiator)
+	user, err := h.accountManager.GetUserByID(r.Context(), userID)
 	if err != nil {
 		util.WriteError(r.Context(), err, w)
 		return
 	}
 
-	user, err := h.accountManager.GetUserByID(r.Context(), userID)
+	err = h.permissionsManager.ValidateAccountAccess(r.Context(), accountID, user, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		util.WriteError(r.Context(), status.NewPermissionDeniedError(), w)
+		return
+	}
+
+	account, err := h.accountManager.GetAccountByID(r.Context(), accountID, activity.SystemInitiator)
 	if err != nil {
 		util.WriteError(r.Context(), err, w)
 		return

management/server/http/handlers/peers/peers_handler_test.go

@@ -13,13 +13,15 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/golang/mock/gomock"
 	"github.com/gorilla/mux"
-	"go.uber.org/mock/gomock"
+	ugomock "go.uber.org/mock/gomock"
 	"golang.org/x/exp/maps"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map"
 	nbcontext "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/context"
 	nbpeer "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/peer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/permissions"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/types"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/auth"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/http/api"
@@ -102,7 +104,7 @@ func initTestMetaData(t *testing.T, peers ...*nbpeer.Peer) *Handler {
 		},
 	}
 
-	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
+	ctrl := ugomock.NewController(t)
 
 	networkMapController := network_map.NewMockController(ctrl)
 	networkMapController.EXPECT().
@@ -110,6 +112,10 @@ func initTestMetaData(t *testing.T, peers ...*nbpeer.Peer) *Handler {
 		Return("domain").
 		AnyTimes()
 
+	ctrl2 := gomock.NewController(t)
+	permissionsManager := permissions.NewMockManager(ctrl2)
+	permissionsManager.EXPECT().ValidateAccountAccess(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).AnyTimes()
+
 	return &Handler{
 		accountManager: &mock_server.MockAccountManager{
 			UpdatePeerFunc: func(_ context.Context, accountID, userID string, update *nbpeer.Peer) (*nbpeer.Peer, error) {
@@ -199,6 +205,7 @@ func initTestMetaData(t *testing.T, peers ...*nbpeer.Peer) *Handler {
 			},
 		},
 		networkMapController: networkMapController,
+		permissionsManager:   permissionsManager,
 	}
 }
 

management/server/http/middleware/auth_middleware.go

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/metric"
 
+	"github.com/netbirdio/management-integrations/integrations"
 	serverauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/auth"
 	nbcontext "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/context"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/http/middleware/bypass"
@@ -130,8 +131,10 @@ func (m *AuthMiddleware) checkJWTFromRequest(r *http.Request, authHeaderParts []
 	}
 
 	if impersonate, ok := r.URL.Query()["account"]; ok && len(impersonate) == 1 {
-		userAuth.AccountId = impersonate[0]
-		userAuth.IsChild = ok
+		if integrations.IsValidChildAccount(ctx, userAuth.UserId, userAuth.AccountId, impersonate[0]) {
+			userAuth.AccountId = impersonate[0]
+			userAuth.IsChild = true
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Email is now extracted in ToUserAuth (from claims or userinfo endpoint)
@@ -207,8 +210,10 @@ func (m *AuthMiddleware) checkPATFromRequest(r *http.Request, authHeaderParts []
 	}
 
 	if impersonate, ok := r.URL.Query()["account"]; ok && len(impersonate) == 1 {
-		userAuth.AccountId = impersonate[0]
-		userAuth.IsChild = ok
+		if integrations.IsValidChildAccount(r.Context(), userAuth.UserId, userAuth.AccountId, impersonate[0]) {
+			userAuth.AccountId = impersonate[0]
+			userAuth.IsChild = true
+		}
 	}
 
 	return nbcontext.SetUserAuthInRequest(r, userAuth), nil

management/server/http/middleware/auth_middleware_test.go

@@ -627,15 +627,14 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_Handler_Child(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		},
 		{
-			name:       "Valid PAT Token accesses child",
+			name:       "PAT Token with account param ignored in public version",
 			path:       "/test?account=xyz",
 			authHeader: "Token " + PAT,
 			expectedUserAuth: &nbauth.UserAuth{
-				AccountId:      "xyz",
+				AccountId:      accountID,
 				UserId:         userID,
 				Domain:         testAccount.Domain,
 				DomainCategory: testAccount.DomainCategory,
-				IsChild:        true,
 				IsPAT:          true,
 			},
 		},
@@ -652,15 +651,14 @@ func TestAuthMiddleware_Handler_Child(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 
 		{
-			name:       "Valid JWT Token with child",
+			name:       "JWT Token with account param ignored in public version",
 			path:       "/test?account=xyz",
 			authHeader: "Bearer " + JWT,
 			expectedUserAuth: &nbauth.UserAuth{
-				AccountId:      "xyz",
+				AccountId:      accountID,
 				UserId:         userID,
 				Domain:         testAccount.Domain,
 				DomainCategory: testAccount.DomainCategory,
-				IsChild:        true,
 			},
 		},
 	}

management/server/management_test.go

@@ -610,6 +610,7 @@ func TestSync10PeersGetUpdates(t *testing.T) {
 
 	initialPeers := 10
 	additionalPeers := 10
+	expectedPeerCount := initialPeers + additionalPeers - 1 // -1 because peer doesn't see itself
 
 	var peers []wgtypes.Key
 	for i := 0; i < initialPeers; i++ {
@@ -618,8 +619,19 @@ func TestSync10PeersGetUpdates(t *testing.T) {
 		peers = append(peers, key)
 	}
 
+	// Track the maximum peer count each peer has seen
+	type peerState struct {
+		mu           sync.Mutex
+		maxPeerCount int
+		done         bool
+	}
+	peerStates := make(map[string]*peerState)
+	for _, pk := range peers {
+		peerStates[pk.PublicKey().String()] = &peerState{}
+	}
+
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
-	wg.Add(initialPeers + initialPeers*additionalPeers)
+	wg.Add(initialPeers) // One completion per initial peer
 
 	var syncClients []mgmtProto.ManagementService_SyncClient
 	for _, pk := range peers {
@@ -643,6 +655,9 @@ func TestSync10PeersGetUpdates(t *testing.T) {
 		syncClients = append(syncClients, s)
 
 		go func(pk wgtypes.Key, syncStream mgmtProto.ManagementService_SyncClient) {
+			pubKey := pk.PublicKey().String()
+			state := peerStates[pubKey]
+
 			for {
 				encMsg := &mgmtProto.EncryptedMessage{}
 				err := syncStream.RecvMsg(encMsg)
@@ -651,19 +666,28 @@ func TestSync10PeersGetUpdates(t *testing.T) {
 				}
 				decryptedBytes, decErr := encryption.Decrypt(encMsg.Body, ts.serverPubKey, pk)
 				if decErr != nil {
-					t.Errorf("failed to decrypt SyncResponse for peer %s: %v", pk.PublicKey().String(), decErr)
+					t.Errorf("failed to decrypt SyncResponse for peer %s: %v", pubKey, decErr)
 					return
 				}
 				resp := &mgmtProto.SyncResponse{}
 				umErr := pb.Unmarshal(decryptedBytes, resp)
 				if umErr != nil {
-					t.Errorf("failed to unmarshal SyncResponse for peer %s: %v", pk.PublicKey().String(), umErr)
+					t.Errorf("failed to unmarshal SyncResponse for peer %s: %v", pubKey, umErr)
 					return
 				}
-				// We only count if there's a new peer update
-				if len(resp.GetRemotePeers()) > 0 {
+
+				// Track the maximum peer count seen (due to debouncing, updates are coalesced)
+				peerCount := len(resp.GetRemotePeers())
+				state.mu.Lock()
+				if peerCount > state.maxPeerCount {
+					state.maxPeerCount = peerCount
+				}
+				// Signal completion when this peer has seen all expected peers
+				if !state.done && state.maxPeerCount >= expectedPeerCount {
+					state.done = true
 					wg.Done()
 				}
+				state.mu.Unlock()
 			}
 		}(pk, s)
 	}
@@ -677,7 +701,30 @@ func TestSync10PeersGetUpdates(t *testing.T) {
 		time.Sleep(time.Duration(n) * time.Millisecond)
 	}
 
-	wg.Wait()
+	// Wait for debouncer to flush final updates (debounce interval is 1000ms)
+	time.Sleep(1500 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	// Wait with timeout
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		wg.Wait()
+		close(done)
+	}()
+
+	select {
+	case <-done:
+		// Success - all peers received expected peer count
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		// Timeout - report which peers didn't receive all updates
+		t.Error("Timeout waiting for all peers to receive updates")
+		for pubKey, state := range peerStates {
+			state.mu.Lock()
+			if state.maxPeerCount < expectedPeerCount {
+				t.Errorf("Peer %s only saw %d peers, expected %d", pubKey, state.maxPeerCount, expectedPeerCount)
+			}
+			state.mu.Unlock()
+		}
+	}
 
 	for _, sc := range syncClients {
 		err := sc.CloseSend()

management/server/mock_server/account_mock.go

@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ type MockAccountManager struct {
 	GetUserFromUserAuthFunc               func(ctx context.Context, userAuth auth.UserAuth) (*types.User, error)
 	ListUsersFunc                         func(ctx context.Context, accountID string) ([]*types.User, error)
 	GetPeersFunc                          func(ctx context.Context, accountID, userID, nameFilter, ipFilter string) ([]*nbpeer.Peer, error)
-	MarkPeerConnectedFunc                 func(ctx context.Context, peerKey string, connected bool, realIP net.IP) error
-	SyncAndMarkPeerFunc                   func(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string, meta nbpeer.PeerSystemMeta, realIP net.IP) (*nbpeer.Peer, *types.NetworkMap, []*posture.Checks, int64, error)
+	MarkPeerConnectedFunc                 func(ctx context.Context, peerKey string, connected bool, realIP net.IP, syncTime time.Time) error
+	SyncAndMarkPeerFunc                   func(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string, meta nbpeer.PeerSystemMeta, realIP net.IP, syncTime time.Time) (*nbpeer.Peer, *types.NetworkMap, []*posture.Checks, int64, error)
 	DeletePeerFunc                        func(ctx context.Context, accountID, peerKey, userID string) error
 	GetNetworkMapFunc                     func(ctx context.Context, peerKey string) (*types.NetworkMap, error)
 	GetPeerNetworkFunc                    func(ctx context.Context, peerKey string) (*types.Network, error)
@@ -214,16 +214,15 @@ func (am *MockAccountManager) DeleteSetupKey(ctx context.Context, accountID, use
 	return status.Errorf(codes.Unimplemented, "method DeleteSetupKey is not implemented")
 }
 
-func (am *MockAccountManager) SyncAndMarkPeer(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string, meta nbpeer.PeerSystemMeta, realIP net.IP) (*nbpeer.Peer, *types.NetworkMap, []*posture.Checks, int64, error) {
+func (am *MockAccountManager) SyncAndMarkPeer(ctx context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string, meta nbpeer.PeerSystemMeta, realIP net.IP, syncTime time.Time) (*nbpeer.Peer, *types.NetworkMap, []*posture.Checks, int64, error) {
 	if am.SyncAndMarkPeerFunc != nil {
-		return am.SyncAndMarkPeerFunc(ctx, accountID, peerPubKey, meta, realIP)
+		return am.SyncAndMarkPeerFunc(ctx, accountID, peerPubKey, meta, realIP, syncTime)
 	}
 	return nil, nil, nil, 0, status.Errorf(codes.Unimplemented, "method MarkPeerConnected is not implemented")
 }
 
-func (am *MockAccountManager) OnPeerDisconnected(_ context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string) error {
-	// TODO implement me
-	panic("implement me")
+func (am *MockAccountManager) OnPeerDisconnected(_ context.Context, accountID string, peerPubKey string, streamStartTime time.Time) error {
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (am *MockAccountManager) GetValidatedPeers(ctx context.Context, accountID string) (map[string]struct{}, map[string]string, error) {
@@ -323,9 +322,9 @@ func (am *MockAccountManager) GetAccountIDByUserID(ctx context.Context, userAuth
 }
 
 // MarkPeerConnected mock implementation of MarkPeerConnected from server.AccountManager interface
-func (am *MockAccountManager) MarkPeerConnected(ctx context.Context, peerKey string, connected bool, realIP net.IP, accountID string) error {
+func (am *MockAccountManager) MarkPeerConnected(ctx context.Context, peerKey string, connected bool, realIP net.IP, accountID string, syncTime time.Time) error {
 	if am.MarkPeerConnectedFunc != nil {
-		return am.MarkPeerConnectedFunc(ctx, peerKey, connected, realIP)
+		return am.MarkPeerConnectedFunc(ctx, peerKey, connected, realIP, syncTime)
 	}
 	return status.Errorf(codes.Unimplemented, "method MarkPeerConnected is not implemented")
 }

management/server/peer.go

@@ -103,11 +103,13 @@ func (am *DefaultAccountManager) getUserAccessiblePeers(ctx context.Context, acc
 }
 
 // MarkPeerConnected marks peer as connected (true) or disconnected (false)
-func (am *DefaultAccountManager) MarkPeerConnected(ctx context.Context, peerPubKey string, connected bool, realIP net.IP, accountID string) error {
+// syncTime is used as the LastSeen timestamp and for stale request detection
+func (am *DefaultAccountManager) MarkPeerConnected(ctx context.Context, peerPubKey string, connected bool, realIP net.IP, accountID string, syncTime time.Time) error {
 	var peer *nbpeer.Peer
 	var settings *types.Settings
 	var expired bool
 	var err error
+	var skipped bool
 
 	err = am.Store.ExecuteInTransaction(ctx, func(transaction store.Store) error {
 		peer, err = transaction.GetPeerByPeerPubKey(ctx, store.LockingStrengthUpdate, peerPubKey)
@@ -115,9 +117,19 @@ func (am *DefaultAccountManager) MarkPeerConnected(ctx context.Context, peerPubK
 			return err
 		}
 
-		expired, err = updatePeerStatusAndLocation(ctx, am.geo, transaction, peer, connected, realIP, accountID)
+		if connected && !syncTime.After(peer.Status.LastSeen) {
+			log.WithContext(ctx).Tracef("peer %s has newer activity (lastSeen=%s >= syncTime=%s), skipping connect",
+				peer.ID, peer.Status.LastSeen.Format(time.RFC3339), syncTime.Format(time.RFC3339))
+			skipped = true
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		expired, err = updatePeerStatusAndLocation(ctx, am.geo, transaction, peer, connected, realIP, accountID, syncTime)
 		return err
 	})
+	if skipped {
+		return nil
+	}
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -147,10 +159,10 @@ func (am *DefaultAccountManager) MarkPeerConnected(ctx context.Context, peerPubK
 	return nil
 }
 
-func updatePeerStatusAndLocation(ctx context.Context, geo geolocation.Geolocation, transaction store.Store, peer *nbpeer.Peer, connected bool, realIP net.IP, accountID string) (bool, error) {
+func updatePeerStatusAndLocation(ctx context.Context, geo geolocation.Geolocation, transaction store.Store, peer *nbpeer.Peer, connected bool, realIP net.IP, accountID string, syncTime time.Time) (bool, error) {
 	oldStatus := peer.Status.Copy()
 	newStatus := oldStatus
-	newStatus.LastSeen = time.Now().UTC()
+	newStatus.LastSeen = syncTime
 	newStatus.Connected = connected
 	// whenever peer got connected that means that it logged in successfully
 	if newStatus.Connected {

shared/relay/client/client.go

@@ -225,35 +225,42 @@ func (c *Client) OpenConn(ctx context.Context, dstPeerID string) (net.Conn, erro
 		c.mu.Unlock()
 		return nil, ErrConnAlreadyExists
 	}
-	c.mu.Unlock()
 
-	if err := c.stateSubscription.WaitToBeOnlineAndSubscribe(ctx, peerID); err != nil {
-		c.log.Errorf("peer not available: %s, %s", peerID, err)
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	c.log.Infof("remote peer is available, prepare the relayed connection: %s", peerID)
-	msgChannel := make(chan Msg, 100)
-
-	c.mu.Lock()
-	if !c.serviceIsRunning {
-		c.mu.Unlock()
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("relay connection is not established")
-	}
+	c.log.Infof("prepare the relayed connection, waiting for remote peer: %s", peerID)
 
 	c.muInstanceURL.Lock()
 	instanceURL := c.instanceURL
 	c.muInstanceURL.Unlock()
-	conn := NewConn(c, peerID, msgChannel, instanceURL)
 
-	_, ok = c.conns[peerID]
-	if ok {
-		c.mu.Unlock()
-		_ = conn.Close()
-		return nil, ErrConnAlreadyExists
-	}
-	c.conns[peerID] = newConnContainer(c.log, conn, msgChannel)
+	msgChannel := make(chan Msg, 100)
+	conn := NewConn(c, peerID, msgChannel, instanceURL)
+	container := newConnContainer(c.log, conn, msgChannel)
+	c.conns[peerID] = container
 	c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if err := c.stateSubscription.WaitToBeOnlineAndSubscribe(ctx, peerID); err != nil {
+		c.log.Errorf("peer not available: %s, %s", peerID, err)
+		c.mu.Lock()
+		if savedContainer, ok := c.conns[peerID]; ok && savedContainer == container {
+			delete(c.conns, peerID)
+		}
+		c.mu.Unlock()
+		container.close()
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	if !c.serviceIsRunning {
+		if savedContainer, ok := c.conns[peerID]; ok && savedContainer == container {
+			delete(c.conns, peerID)
+		}
+		c.mu.Unlock()
+		container.close()
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("relay connection is not established")
+	}
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	c.log.Infof("remote peer is available: %s", peerID)
 	return conn, nil
 }