diff --git a/src/control_server.c b/src/control_server.c
index 815641d7..be5a858a 100644
--- a/src/control_server.c
+++ b/src/control_server.c
@@ -1389,7 +1389,7 @@ static struct ETCP_CONN* find_connection_by_peer_id(struct UTUN_INSTANCE* instan
 static void send_single_node_info(struct control_server* server, struct control_client* client, struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq) {
     if (!server || !nq || !nq->node) return;
     uint8_t buf[8192];
-    int ser_len = topo_node_serialize(topo_groups_get_default(server->instance->topo_groups), nq, buf + 2, sizeof(buf) - 2);
+    int ser_len = topo_node_serialize(topo_groups_get_default(server->instance->topo_groups), nq, buf + 2, sizeof(buf) - 2, 0);
     if (ser_len < 0) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_CONTROL, "Failed to serialize node info"); return; }
     buf[0] = CTRL_BGP_CMD; buf[1] = CTRL_BGP_SUBCMD;
     size_t data_size = 2 + (size_t)ser_len;
diff --git a/src/routing_layer/conn_mgr.c b/src/routing_layer/conn_mgr.c
index 6454a16f..1fd68a55 100644
--- a/src/routing_layer/conn_mgr.c
+++ b/src/routing_layer/conn_mgr.c
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 #include "config_parser.h"
 #include "secure_channel.h"
 #include "topo_node.h"
+#include "topo_node_sqlite.h"
 #include "topo_group.h"
 #include "route_ping.h"
 #include "route_connectivity.h"
@@ -70,20 +71,22 @@ struct cm_exchange_pending {
     uint8_t  probes_done;
 };
 
-struct CONN_MGR* conn_mgr_init(struct UTUN_INSTANCE* instance) {
-    if (!instance) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "NULL instance"); return NULL; }
+struct CONN_MGR* conn_mgr_init(struct TOPO_GROUP* group) {
+    if (!group || !group->instance) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "NULL group"); return NULL; }
     struct CONN_MGR* mgr = u_calloc(1, sizeof(struct CONN_MGR));
     if (!mgr) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "alloc failed"); return NULL; }
-    mgr->instance = instance;
+    mgr->instance = group->instance;
+    mgr->group = group;
     mgr->entry_capacity = 8;
     mgr->entries = u_calloc(mgr->entry_capacity, sizeof(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY));
     if (!mgr->entries) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "entries alloc failed"); u_free(mgr); return NULL; }
-    etcp_router_bind(instance, ETCP_RT_ID_CONN_MGR, conn_mgr_router_recv_handler);
-    mgr->bg_ping_timer = uasync_set_timeout(instance->ua, CONN_MGR_BG_PING_INTERVAL_TB, mgr, cm_bg_ping_timer_cb, "conn_mgr_bg_ping");
-    mgr->candidate_ping_timer = uasync_set_timeout(instance->ua, CONN_MGR_CANDIDATE_PING_TB, mgr, cm_candidate_ping_timer_cb, "conn_mgr_cand_ping");
+    mgr->direct_timeout_ms = CONN_MGR_CONNECT_DIRECT_TIMEOUT_MS;
+    etcp_router_bind(mgr->instance, ETCP_RT_ID_CONN_MGR, conn_mgr_router_recv_handler);
+    mgr->bg_ping_timer = uasync_set_timeout(mgr->instance->ua, CONN_MGR_BG_PING_INTERVAL_TB, mgr, cm_bg_ping_timer_cb, "conn_mgr_bg_ping");
+    mgr->candidate_ping_timer = uasync_set_timeout(mgr->instance->ua, CONN_MGR_CANDIDATE_PING_TB, mgr, cm_candidate_ping_timer_cb, "conn_mgr_cand_ping");
     mgr->bg_ping_cycle_start_tb = get_time_tb();
     mgr->initialized = 1;
-    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "conn_mgr: initialized, bg_ping started");
+    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "conn_mgr: initialized for group %016llx, bg_ping started", (unsigned long long)group->group_id);
     return mgr;
 }
 
@@ -157,7 +160,7 @@ static void cm_deliver_result(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry, int result) {
 }
 
 static void cm_update_nodeinfo(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry) {
-    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = topo_groups_get_default(entry->mgr->instance->topo_groups);
+    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = entry->mgr->group;
     if (!group) return;
     struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(group, entry->node_id);
     if (!nq) return;
@@ -167,18 +170,51 @@ static void cm_update_nodeinfo(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry) {
 }
 
 static void cm_clear_nodeinfo(struct CONN_MGR* mgr, uint64_t node_id) {
-    struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(topo_groups_get_default(mgr->instance->topo_groups), node_id);
+    struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(mgr->group, node_id);
     if (!nq) return;
     nq->conn_mgr_type = CONN_TYPE_NONE;
     nq->conn_mgr_intermediariy_count = 0;
 }
 
+static void cm_cleanup_db_node(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry) {
+    if (!entry->db_loaded) return;
+    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = entry->mgr->group;
+    struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(group, entry->node_id);
+    if (!nq) return;
+    if (nq->paths && queue_entry_count(nq->paths) > 0) {
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "conn_mgr: db_node 0x%016llx got paths, keep in group", (unsigned long long)entry->node_id);
+        return;
+    }
+    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "conn_mgr: removing db_node 0x%016llx from group (no paths)", (unsigned long long)entry->node_id);
+    queue_remove_data(group->nodes, &nq->ll);
+    topo_node_registry_release(group->instance->topo_groups, nq->node);
+    topo_node_free_lists(group, nq);
+    queue_entry_free(&nq->ll);
+}
+
 int conn_mgr_connect_node(struct CONN_MGR* mgr, uint64_t node_id, uint32_t idle_timeout_ms,
                           conn_mgr_connect_callback_t cb, void* cb_arg) {
     if (!mgr) return CONN_MGR_ERR_INTERNAL;
-    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = topo_groups_get_default(mgr->instance->topo_groups);
+    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = mgr->group;
     if (!group) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "BGP not initialized"); return CONN_MGR_ERR_INTERNAL; }
     struct TOPO_NODEQ* target = topo_node_find_by_id(group, node_id);
+    int loaded_from_db = 0;
+    if (!target && mgr->instance->topo_sqlite_db && mgr->instance->topo_groups) {
+        struct TOPO_NODE* ni = topo_node_sqlite_node_load(mgr->instance->topo_sqlite_db, mgr->instance->topo_groups, node_id);
+        if (ni) {
+            ni = topo_node_registry_acquire(mgr->instance->topo_groups, ni);
+            struct ll_entry* qe = queue_entry_new(sizeof(struct TOPO_NODEQ));
+            if (qe) {
+                target = (struct TOPO_NODEQ*)qe;
+                memset((uint8_t*)target + sizeof(struct ll_entry), 0, sizeof(*target) - sizeof(struct ll_entry));
+                target->node = ni; target->hash_node_id = node_id;
+                target->conn_mgr_type = CONN_TYPE_NONE;
+                queue_data_put_with_index(group->nodes, &target->ll);
+                loaded_from_db = 1;
+                DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "conn_mgr: node 0x%016llx loaded from DB", (unsigned long long)node_id);
+            } else { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "conn_mgr: failed to alloc TOPO_NODEQ for DB node 0x%016llx", (unsigned long long)node_id); }
+        }
+    }
     if (!target) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "node 0x%016llx not found", (unsigned long long)node_id); return CONN_MGR_ERR_NOT_FOUND; }
     struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry = cm_find_entry(mgr, node_id);
     if (entry && entry->state == CONN_MGR_STATE_CONNECTED) {
@@ -221,6 +257,7 @@ int conn_mgr_connect_node(struct CONN_MGR* mgr, uint64_t node_id, uint32_t idle_
     entry->main.phase = 0;
     entry->main.timer = NULL;
     entry->main.request_id = 0;
+    entry->db_loaded = (uint8_t)loaded_from_db;
     int has_our_local = cm_has_local_addr(group->local_node);
     int has_target_local = cm_has_local_addr(target);
     if (has_our_local && has_target_local) { entry->local_scan_state = CM_TRY_PENDING; cm_start_local_scan(entry); }
@@ -238,7 +275,7 @@ int conn_mgr_disconnect_node(struct CONN_MGR* mgr, uint64_t node_id) {
     pkt.subcmd = CONN_MGR_SUBCMD_DISCONNECT;
     pkt.node_id = node_id;
     struct ll_entry* qe = queue_entry_new(0);
-    if (qe) { qe->dgram = u_malloc(sizeof(pkt)); memcpy(qe->dgram, &pkt, sizeof(pkt)); qe->len = sizeof(pkt); etcp_route_send(mgr->instance, TOPO_GROUP_UTUN, node_id, qe, 1); }
+    if (qe) { qe->dgram = u_malloc(sizeof(pkt)); memcpy(qe->dgram, &pkt, sizeof(pkt)); qe->len = sizeof(pkt); etcp_route_send(mgr->instance, mgr->group->group_id, node_id, qe, 1); }
     cm_clear_nodeinfo(mgr, node_id);
     cm_entry_destroy(entry);
     entry->state = CONN_MGR_STATE_DISCONNECTED;
@@ -258,6 +295,10 @@ int conn_mgr_set_idle_timeout(struct CONN_MGR* mgr, uint64_t node_id, uint32_t t
     return CONN_MGR_OK;
 }
 
+void conn_mgr_set_direct_timeout_ms(struct CONN_MGR* mgr, uint32_t timeout_ms) {
+    if (mgr) mgr->direct_timeout_ms = timeout_ms;
+}
+
 int conn_mgr_get_status(struct CONN_MGR* mgr, uint64_t node_id, uint8_t* out_state, uint8_t* out_conn_type) {
     if (!mgr || !out_state || !out_conn_type) return CONN_MGR_ERR_INTERNAL;
     struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry = cm_find_entry(mgr, node_id);
@@ -272,7 +313,7 @@ int conn_mgr_send(struct CONN_MGR* mgr, uint64_t node_id, struct ll_entry* entry
     struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* e = cm_find_entry(mgr, node_id);
     if (!e || e->state != CONN_MGR_STATE_CONNECTED) { queue_entry_free(entry); return -1; }
     e->last_traffic_tb = get_time_tb();
-    struct ETCP_ROUTER_CONN* rconn = etcp_router_conn_get(mgr->instance, TOPO_GROUP_UTUN, node_id, ETCP_RT_ID_CONN_MGR);
+    struct ETCP_ROUTER_CONN* rconn = etcp_router_conn_get(mgr->instance, mgr->group->group_id, node_id, ETCP_RT_ID_CONN_MGR);
     if (!rconn) { queue_entry_free(entry); return -1; }
     int ret = etcp_router_conn_send(rconn, entry->dgram, entry->len);
     queue_entry_free(entry);
@@ -401,7 +442,7 @@ struct cm_ping_ctx {
 };
 
 static void cm_start_local_scan(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry) {
-    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = topo_groups_get_default(entry->mgr->instance->topo_groups);
+    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = entry->mgr->group;
     struct TOPO_NODEQ* target = topo_node_find_by_id(group, entry->node_id);
     if (!target || !target->node) { entry->local_scan_state = CM_TRY_FAILED; return; }
     for (const struct TOPO_ADDR4* a = target->node->v4_addrs; a; a = a->next) {
@@ -429,9 +470,39 @@ static void cm_start_local_scan(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry) {
 static void cm_start_phase_direct(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry) {
     if (entry->main_connect_state == CM_TRY_OK) return;
     if (entry->local_scan_state == CM_TRY_OK) return;
-    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = topo_groups_get_default(entry->mgr->instance->topo_groups);
+    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = entry->mgr->group;
     struct TOPO_NODEQ* target = topo_node_find_by_id(group, entry->node_id);
     if (!target || !target->node) { cm_deliver_result(entry, CONN_MGR_ERR_NOT_FOUND); return; }
+
+    if (entry->db_loaded) {
+        for (const struct TOPO_ADDR4* a = target->node->v4_addrs; a; a = a->next) {
+            if (a->protocol != TOPO_PROTO_UDP) continue;
+            struct ETCP_SOCKET* s = entry->mgr->instance->etcp_sockets;
+            while (s) {
+                if (s->local_addr.ss_family == AF_INET) {
+                    struct sockaddr_in sin; memset(&sin, 0, sizeof(sin)); sin.sin_family = AF_INET;
+                    memcpy(&sin.sin_addr.s_addr, a->addr, 4); sin.sin_port = htons(a->port);
+                    struct sockaddr_storage sa; memset(&sa, 0, sizeof(sa)); memcpy(&sa, &sin, sizeof(sin));
+                    struct ETCP_CONN* conn = etcp_connection_create(entry->mgr->instance, NULL);
+                    if (conn) {
+                        etcp_conn_add_init_cbk(conn, cm_direct_init_cb, entry);
+                        sc_init_ctx(&conn->crypto_ctx, &entry->mgr->instance->my_keys);
+                        sc_set_peer_public_key(&conn->crypto_ctx, target->node->public_key, 0);
+                        if (etcp_link_new(conn, s, &sa, 0)) {
+                            entry->main.timer = uasync_set_timeout(entry->mgr->instance->ua, (int)(entry->mgr->direct_timeout_ms * 10), entry, cm_direct_timeout_cb, "conn_mgr_db_direct");
+                            return;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                s = s->next;
+            }
+        }
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "conn_mgr: db_node 0x%016llx direct failed (no compatible addr/socket)", (unsigned long long)entry->node_id);
+        cm_cleanup_db_node(entry);
+        cm_deliver_result(entry, CONN_MGR_ERR_UNREACHABLE);
+        return;
+    }
+
     uint8_t priority_order[] = { TOPO_ADDR_NAT, TOPO_ADDR_INTERFACE };
     for (int pri = 0; pri < 2; pri++) {
         for (const struct TOPO_ADDR4* a = target->node->v4_addrs; a; a = a->next) {
@@ -450,7 +521,7 @@ static void cm_start_phase_direct(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry) {
                             sc_init_ctx(&conn->crypto_ctx, &entry->mgr->instance->my_keys);
                             sc_set_peer_public_key(&conn->crypto_ctx, target->node->public_key, 0);
                             if (etcp_link_new(conn, s, &sa, 0)) {
-                                entry->main.timer = uasync_set_timeout(entry->mgr->instance->ua, CONN_MGR_CONNECT_DIRECT_TIMEOUT_MS * 10, entry, cm_direct_timeout_cb, "conn_mgr_direct");
+                                entry->main.timer = uasync_set_timeout(entry->mgr->instance->ua, (int)(entry->mgr->direct_timeout_ms * 10), entry, cm_direct_timeout_cb, "conn_mgr_direct");
                                 return;
                             }
                         }
@@ -469,7 +540,13 @@ static void cm_start_phase_direct(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry) {
 static void cm_direct_timeout_cb(void* arg) {
     struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry = (struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY*)arg;
     entry->main.timer = NULL;
-    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = topo_groups_get_default(entry->mgr->instance->topo_groups);
+    if (entry->db_loaded) {
+        DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "conn_mgr: db_node 0x%016llx direct timeout", (unsigned long long)entry->node_id);
+        cm_cleanup_db_node(entry);
+        cm_deliver_result(entry, CONN_MGR_ERR_UNREACHABLE);
+        return;
+    }
+    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = entry->mgr->group;
     struct TOPO_NODEQ* target = topo_node_find_by_id(group, entry->node_id);
     int has_our = cm_has_direct_ip(group->local_node);
     int has_target = target ? cm_has_direct_ip(target) : 0;
@@ -518,7 +595,7 @@ static void cm_ping_cb(int success, uint16_t rtt, void* arg, uint64_t nonce,
     ctx->attempt++;
     if (ctx->attempt < CONN_MGR_LOCAL_SCAN_ATTEMPTS && ctx->phase == 0) {
         etcp_send_ping_to_socket(entry->mgr->instance, ctx->sock,
-                                  topo_node_find_by_id(topo_groups_get_default(entry->mgr->instance->topo_groups), entry->node_id)->node->public_key,
+                                  topo_node_find_by_id(entry->mgr->group, entry->node_id)->node->public_key,
                                   &ctx->addr, CONN_MGR_LOCAL_SCAN_TIMEOUT_MS, cm_ping_cb, ctx, NULL, 0, 0);
         return;
     }
@@ -529,7 +606,7 @@ static void cm_ping_cb(int success, uint16_t rtt, void* arg, uint64_t nonce,
 }
 
 static void cm_start_phase_reverse(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry) {
-    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = topo_groups_get_default(entry->mgr->instance->topo_groups);
+    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = entry->mgr->group;
     struct TOPO_NODEQ* local = group->local_node;
     if (!local || !local->node) { cm_deliver_result(entry, CONN_MGR_ERR_INTERNAL); return; }
     uint32_t req_id = ++entry->mgr->next_request_id;
@@ -567,7 +644,7 @@ static void cm_start_phase_reverse(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry) {
     if (!qe) { u_free(pkt); cm_deliver_result(entry, CONN_MGR_ERR_INTERNAL); return; }
     qe->dgram = pkt;
     qe->len = (uint16_t)pkt_size;
-    etcp_route_send(entry->mgr->instance, TOPO_GROUP_UTUN, entry->node_id, qe, 1);
+    etcp_route_send(entry->mgr->instance, entry->mgr->group->group_id, entry->node_id, qe, 1);
 
     struct cm_reverse_pending* rp = u_calloc(1, sizeof(struct cm_reverse_pending));
     if (rp) { rp->request_id = req_id; rp->entry = entry; rp->next = entry->mgr->reverse_pending;
@@ -607,6 +684,7 @@ static int cm_start_phase_indirect(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry) {
     if (mgr->best_candidate_count == 0) {
         DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "conn_mgr: phase 3 (indirect) no candidates for 0x%016llx (direct+reverse failed)",
                     (unsigned long long)entry->node_id);
+        cm_deliver_result(entry, CONN_MGR_ERR_UNREACHABLE);
         return CONN_MGR_ERR_UNREACHABLE;
     }
     uint32_t req_id = ++mgr->next_request_id;
@@ -625,7 +703,7 @@ static int cm_start_phase_indirect(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry) {
     qe->dgram = u_malloc(sizeof(req));
     memcpy(qe->dgram, &req, sizeof(req));
     qe->len = (uint16_t)sizeof(req);
-    etcp_route_send(entry->mgr->instance, TOPO_GROUP_UTUN, entry->node_id, qe, 1);
+    etcp_route_send(entry->mgr->instance, entry->mgr->group->group_id, entry->node_id, qe, 1);
     entry->main.timer = uasync_set_timeout(mgr->instance->ua, CONN_MGR_INTERM_EXCHANGE_TIMEOUT_MS * 10,
                                             entry, cm_exchange_timeout_cb, "conn_mgr_interm_exch");
     {
@@ -663,7 +741,7 @@ static void cm_compute_intermediaries(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry, struct CONN_
     }
     for (uint8_t i = 0; i < resp->my_count && count < 8; i++) {
         uint64_t id = resp->my_candidates[i].node_id;
-        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(topo_groups_get_default(entry->mgr->instance->topo_groups), id);
+        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(entry->mgr->group, id);
         uint16_t our_rtt = nq ? cm_get_node_min_rtt(nq) : 0;
         if (our_rtt == 0xFFFF) our_rtt = 0;
         all[count].node_id = id;
@@ -689,11 +767,11 @@ static void cm_compute_intermediaries(struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entry, struct CONN_
     for (uint8_t i = 0; i < sel; i++) {
         pkt.selected[i].node_id = all[i].node_id;
         pkt.selected[i].rtt = 0;
-        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(topo_groups_get_default(entry->mgr->instance->topo_groups), all[i].node_id);
+        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(entry->mgr->group, all[i].node_id);
         if (nq) pkt.selected[i].rtt = cm_get_node_min_rtt(nq);
     }
     struct ll_entry* qe = queue_entry_new(0);
-    if (qe) { qe->dgram = u_malloc(sizeof(pkt)); memcpy(qe->dgram, &pkt, sizeof(pkt)); qe->len = sizeof(pkt); etcp_route_send(entry->mgr->instance, TOPO_GROUP_UTUN, entry->node_id, qe, 1); }
+    if (qe) { qe->dgram = u_malloc(sizeof(pkt)); memcpy(qe->dgram, &pkt, sizeof(pkt)); qe->len = sizeof(pkt); etcp_route_send(entry->mgr->instance, entry->mgr->group->group_id, entry->node_id, qe, 1); }
 
     entry->conn_type = CONN_TYPE_INDIRECT;
     entry->state = CONN_MGR_STATE_CONNECTED;
@@ -710,7 +788,7 @@ static void cm_exchange_probe_retry_cb(void* arg) {
     uint8_t need_probe = 0;
     uint64_t now_tb = get_time_tb();
     for (uint8_t i = 0; i < ep->cached_resp.my_count && i < 4; i++) {
-        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(topo_groups_get_default(mgr->instance->topo_groups), ep->cached_resp.my_candidates[i].node_id);
+        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(mgr->group, ep->cached_resp.my_candidates[i].node_id);
         if (!nq || !cm_is_rtt_fresh(nq, now_tb)) { need_probe++; break; }
     }
     if (need_probe == 0) {
@@ -740,7 +818,7 @@ static void cm_handle_interm_exchange_resp(struct CONN_MGR* mgr, const uint8_t*
     uint8_t need_probe = 0;
     uint64_t now_tb = get_time_tb();
     for (uint8_t i = 0; i < ep->cached_resp.my_count && i < 4; i++) {
-        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(topo_groups_get_default(mgr->instance->topo_groups), ep->cached_resp.my_candidates[i].node_id);
+        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(mgr->group, ep->cached_resp.my_candidates[i].node_id);
         if (!nq || !cm_is_rtt_fresh(nq, now_tb)) { need_probe++; route_connectivity_probe_node(mgr->instance, nq); }
     }
     if (need_probe == 0) { ep->probes_done = 1; cm_compute_intermediaries(ep->entry, &ep->cached_resp);
@@ -829,7 +907,7 @@ static void cm_handle_direct_req(struct ETCP_CONN* conn, const uint8_t* data, si
                 memset(&sa, 0, sizeof(sa)); memcpy(&sa, &sin, sizeof(sin));
                 struct ETCP_CONN* new_conn = etcp_connection_create(conn->instance, NULL);
                 if (new_conn) {
-                    struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(topo_groups_get_default(conn->instance->topo_groups), src_node_id);
+                    struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(mgr->group, src_node_id);
                     if (nq) { sc_init_ctx(&new_conn->crypto_ctx, &conn->instance->my_keys);
                         sc_set_peer_public_key(&new_conn->crypto_ctx, nq->node->public_key, 0); }
                     struct cm_reverse_pending* rp = u_calloc(1, sizeof(struct cm_reverse_pending));
@@ -851,7 +929,7 @@ static void cm_handle_interm_exchange_req(struct ETCP_CONN* conn,
     uint64_t now_tb = get_time_tb();
     for (uint8_t i = 0; i < req->candidate_count && i < 4; i++) {
         uint64_t cand_id = req->candidates[i].node_id;
-        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(topo_groups_get_default(mgr->instance->topo_groups), cand_id);
+        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(mgr->group, cand_id);
         if (nq && cm_is_rtt_fresh(nq, now_tb)) continue;
         route_connectivity_probe_node(mgr->instance, nq);
     }
@@ -866,7 +944,7 @@ static void cm_handle_interm_exchange_req(struct ETCP_CONN* conn,
     resp.your_count = req->candidate_count > 4 ? 4 : req->candidate_count;
     for (uint8_t i = 0; i < resp.your_count; i++) {
         resp.your_candidates[i].node_id = req->candidates[i].node_id;
-        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq2 = topo_node_find_by_id(topo_groups_get_default(mgr->instance->topo_groups), req->candidates[i].node_id);
+        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq2 = topo_node_find_by_id(mgr->group, req->candidates[i].node_id);
         uint16_t rtt = nq2 ? cm_get_node_min_rtt(nq2) : 0;
         resp.your_candidates[i].rtt = rtt;
     }
@@ -877,7 +955,7 @@ static void cm_handle_interm_exchange_req(struct ETCP_CONN* conn,
         qe->dgram = u_malloc(resp_size);
         memcpy(qe->dgram, &resp, resp_size);
         qe->len = (uint16_t)resp_size;
-        etcp_route_send(mgr->instance, TOPO_GROUP_UTUN, conn->peer_node_id, qe, 1);
+        etcp_route_send(mgr->instance, mgr->group->group_id, conn->peer_node_id, qe, 1);
     }
     DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "conn_mgr: sent EXCHANGE_RESP to 0x%016llx my=%u your=%u",
                (unsigned long long)conn->peer_node_id, resp.my_count, resp.your_count);
@@ -898,7 +976,7 @@ static void cm_bg_ping_noop_cb(int success, uint16_t rtt, void* arg, uint64_t no
 
 static void cm_bg_ping_timer_cb(void* arg) {
     struct CONN_MGR* mgr = (struct CONN_MGR*)arg;
-    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = topo_groups_get_default(mgr->instance->topo_groups);
+    struct TOPO_GROUP* group = mgr->group;
     if (!group || !group->nodes) {
         mgr->bg_ping_timer = uasync_set_timeout(mgr->instance->ua, CONN_MGR_BG_PING_INTERVAL_TB, mgr, cm_bg_ping_timer_cb, "conn_mgr_bg_ping");
         return;
@@ -958,7 +1036,7 @@ static void cm_candidate_ping_timer_cb(void* arg) {
     uint64_t now_tb = get_time_tb();
     for (uint8_t i = 0; i < mgr->best_candidate_count; i++) {
         uint64_t cand_id = mgr->best_candidates[i].node_id;
-        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(topo_groups_get_default(mgr->instance->topo_groups), cand_id);
+        struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(mgr->group, cand_id);
         if (!nq) {
             memmove(&mgr->best_candidates[i], &mgr->best_candidates[i+1], (mgr->best_candidate_count - i - 1) * sizeof(mgr->best_candidates[0]));
             mgr->best_candidate_count--; i--; continue;
@@ -969,7 +1047,7 @@ static void cm_candidate_ping_timer_cb(void* arg) {
             memmove(&mgr->best_candidates[i], &mgr->best_candidates[i+1], (mgr->best_candidate_count - i - 1) * sizeof(mgr->best_candidates[0]));
             mgr->best_candidate_count--; i--; continue;
         }
-        struct ETCP_CONN* dconn = topo_group_find_conn_for_node(topo_groups_get_default(mgr->instance->topo_groups), cand_id);
+        struct ETCP_CONN* dconn = topo_group_find_conn_for_node(mgr->group, cand_id);
         int has_active = 0;
         if (dconn && dconn->links) {
             struct ETCP_LINK* l = dconn->links;
diff --git a/src/routing_layer/conn_mgr.h b/src/routing_layer/conn_mgr.h
index 63231bd5..0c033d1c 100644
--- a/src/routing_layer/conn_mgr.h
+++ b/src/routing_layer/conn_mgr.h
@@ -276,6 +276,7 @@ struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY {
 
     uint8_t  local_scan_state;    ///< Состояние локального сканирования (enum CM_TRY_STATE)
     uint8_t  main_connect_state;  ///< Состояние основного подключения (enum CM_TRY_STATE)
+    uint8_t  db_loaded;           ///< 1 = узел загружен из БД, нет BGP-роутинга, только DIRECT
     struct {
         uint8_t  phase;       ///< Текущая фаза: 1=DIRECT, 2=REVERSE, 3=INDIRECT
         void*    timer;       ///< Хендл таймера текущей фазы
@@ -296,6 +297,7 @@ struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY {
  */
 struct CONN_MGR {
     struct UTUN_INSTANCE* instance;   ///< Родительский экземпляр utun
+    struct TOPO_GROUP*    group;      ///< Группа, в которой работает этот менеджер
 
     struct CONN_MGR_ENTRY* entries;   ///< Динамический массив записей о подключениях
     size_t entry_count;               ///< Текущее количество записей
@@ -311,6 +313,7 @@ struct CONN_MGR {
     uint8_t  best_candidate_count;    ///< Количество актуальных кандидатов (≤CONN_MGR_MAX_CANDIDATES)
 
     uint32_t next_request_id;         ///< Счётчик request_id для INTERM_EXCHANGE
+    uint32_t direct_timeout_ms;       ///< Таймаут фазы DIRECT (мс), по умолчанию CONN_MGR_CONNECT_DIRECT_TIMEOUT_MS
     uint8_t  initialized;             ///< Флаг инициализации
 
     struct cm_reverse_pending* reverse_pending;   ///< Связный список ожидающих REVERSE-подключений
@@ -320,14 +323,14 @@ struct CONN_MGR {
 /* ==================== Жизненный цикл ==================== */
 
 /**
- * @brief Инициализирует менеджер соединений.
- * @param instance родительский экземпляр utun
+ * @brief Инициализирует менеджер соединений для заданной группы.
+ * @param group группа топологии (conn_mgr будет работать в её контексте)
  * @return указатель на CONN_MGR или NULL при ошибке
  *
  * Регистрирует обработчик в etcp_router для ETCP_RT_ID_CONN_MGR,
  * запускает фоновые таймеры (bg_ping, candidate_ping).
  */
-struct CONN_MGR* conn_mgr_init(struct UTUN_INSTANCE* instance);
+struct CONN_MGR* conn_mgr_init(struct TOPO_GROUP* group);
 
 /**
  * @brief Уничтожает менеджер соединений.
@@ -382,6 +385,16 @@ int conn_mgr_disconnect_node(struct CONN_MGR* mgr, uint64_t node_id);
  */
 int conn_mgr_set_idle_timeout(struct CONN_MGR* mgr, uint64_t node_id, uint32_t timeout_ms);
 
+/**
+ * @brief Устанавливает таймаут фазы DIRECT для новых подключений.
+ * @param mgr менеджер
+ * @param timeout_ms таймаут (мс), по умолчанию CONN_MGR_CONNECT_DIRECT_TIMEOUT_MS (5000)
+ *
+ * Устанавливается глобально для всех новых вызовов conn_mgr_connect_node().
+ * Действует на оба пути: обычный (BGP) и загруженный из БД (db_loaded).
+ */
+void conn_mgr_set_direct_timeout_ms(struct CONN_MGR* mgr, uint32_t timeout_ms);
+
 /**
  * @brief Получает текущий статус подключения к ноде.
  * @param mgr менеджер
diff --git a/src/routing_layer/nat_detection.c b/src/routing_layer/nat_detection.c
index 1e8b1915..37bbbeee 100644
--- a/src/routing_layer/nat_detection.c
+++ b/src/routing_layer/nat_detection.c
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ static void nat_detection_handle_nat_info(struct NAT_DETECTION* nd, struct TOPO_
                 while (se) {
                     struct TOPO_GROUP_CONN_ITEM* item = (struct TOPO_GROUP_CONN_ITEM*)se->data;
                     if (item && item->conn)
-                        topo_group_send_nodeinfo(group, group->local_node, item->conn);
+                        topo_group_send_nodeinfo(group, group->local_node, item->conn, 0);
                     se = se->next;
                 }
             }
diff --git a/src/routing_layer/topo_group.c b/src/routing_layer/topo_group.c
index e957f82c..c99be2bf 100644
--- a/src/routing_layer/topo_group.c
+++ b/src/routing_layer/topo_group.c
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include "nat_detection.h"
 #include "route_connectivity.h"
 #include "control_server.h"
+#include "conn_mgr.h"
 
 
 #define TOPO_GROUP_UTUN  0x8000000000000000ULL
@@ -225,6 +226,8 @@ static struct TOPO_GROUP* topo_group_create(struct UTUN_INSTANCE* instance, uint
     group->local_node = NULL;
     topo_group_update_my_nodeinfo(instance, group);
 
+    group->conn_mgr = conn_mgr_init(group);
+
     DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_BGP, "TOPO group created: group_id=%016llx", (unsigned long long)group_id);
     return group;
 }
@@ -240,6 +243,7 @@ static void topo_group_destroy(struct TOPO_GROUP* group) {
     if (group->local_node) { topo_node_free_lists(group, group->local_node); u_free(group->local_node); }
 
     if (group->nodes) queue_free(group->nodes);
+    group->conn_mgr = NULL;  /* destroyed externally in utun_instance_destroy before etcp_router_destroy */
 }
 
 struct TOPO_GROUPS* topo_groups_init(struct UTUN_INSTANCE* instance) {
@@ -297,6 +301,8 @@ struct TOPO_GROUPS* topo_groups_init(struct UTUN_INSTANCE* instance) {
     }
     queue_data_put_with_index(g->group_list, &default_group->ll);
 
+    instance->conn_mgr = default_group->conn_mgr;  /* recv handler shortcut */
+
     etcp_bind(instance, ETCP_ID_TOPO_ENTRY, topo_group_receive_cbk);
     etcp_add_conn_status_cbk(instance, topo_group_conn_status, g);
 
@@ -460,13 +466,13 @@ struct ETCP_CONN* topo_group_find_conn_for_node(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, uint64
     return best_live ? best_live->conn : (best_any ? best_any->conn : NULL);
 }
 
-int topo_group_add_path(struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq, struct ETCP_CONN* conn, uint64_t* hop_list, uint8_t hop_count) {
+int topo_group_add_path(struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq, struct ETCP_CONN* conn, uint64_t* hop_list, uint8_t hop_count, uint16_t cumulative_rtt) {
     if (!nq || !conn || hop_count > MAX_HOPS || !hop_list) { DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_BGP, "add_path: invalid args"); return -1; }
     if (!nq->paths) { nq->paths = queue_new(conn->instance->ua, 0, 0, 0, "node_paths"); if (!nq->paths) return -1; }
     size_t path_size = sizeof(struct TOPO_NODEPATH) - sizeof(struct ll_entry) + hop_count * 8;
     struct ll_entry* pe = queue_entry_new(path_size); if (!pe) return -1;
     struct TOPO_NODEPATH* path = (struct TOPO_NODEPATH*)pe;
-    path->conn = conn; path->hop_count = hop_count;
+    path->conn = conn; path->hop_count = hop_count; path->cumulative_rtt = cumulative_rtt;
     memcpy((uint64_t*)((uint8_t*)path + sizeof(struct TOPO_NODEPATH)), hop_list, hop_count * 8);
     queue_data_put(nq->paths, pe);
     return 0;
@@ -551,7 +557,7 @@ int topo_group_process_nodeinfo(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct ETCP_CONN* from
             memcpy(hop_list, hop_src, ni->hop_count * 8);
             hop_list[ni->hop_count] = from->peer_node_id;
             topo_group_remove_path(nodeinfo1, from);
-            topo_group_add_path(nodeinfo1, from, hop_list, new_hops);
+            topo_group_add_path(nodeinfo1, from, hop_list, new_hops, nodeinfo1->cumulative_rtt);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -573,7 +579,8 @@ int topo_group_process_nodeinfo(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct ETCP_CONN* from
     struct TOPO_NODESUBNETS* new_subnets = NULL;
     struct TOPOMSG_TRANZIT* new_tranzit = NULL; uint8_t new_tranzit_count = 0;
     uint64_t* new_hop_list = NULL; uint8_t new_hop_count = 0;
-    if (topo_node_deserialize(group, ser_data, ser_len, &new_ni, &new_subnets, &new_tranzit, &new_tranzit_count, &new_hop_list, &new_hop_count) != 0) {
+    uint16_t incoming_cumulative_rtt = 0;
+    if (topo_node_deserialize(group, ser_data, ser_len, &new_ni, &new_subnets, &new_tranzit, &new_tranzit_count, &new_hop_list, &new_hop_count, &incoming_cumulative_rtt) != 0) {
         DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_BGP, "NODEINFO deserialize failed from %s", from->log_name);
         if (nodeinfo1) { queue_remove_data(group->nodes, &nodeinfo1->ll); queue_free(paths); queue_entry_free(&nodeinfo1->ll); }
         return -1;
@@ -583,6 +590,7 @@ int topo_group_process_nodeinfo(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct ETCP_CONN* from
         nodeinfo1->node = topo_node_registry_acquire(group->instance->topo_groups, new_ni);
         nodeinfo1->hash_node_id = nodeinfo1->node ? nodeinfo1->node->node_id : 0;
         nodeinfo1->subnets = new_subnets;
+        nodeinfo1->cumulative_rtt = incoming_cumulative_rtt;
         u_free(nodeinfo1->tranzit_data); nodeinfo1->tranzit_data = new_tranzit;
         nodeinfo1->tranzit_count = new_tranzit_count;
         u_free(nodeinfo1->hop_list); nodeinfo1->hop_list = new_hop_list;
@@ -595,6 +603,7 @@ int topo_group_process_nodeinfo(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct ETCP_CONN* from
         nodeinfo1->node = topo_node_registry_acquire(group->instance->topo_groups, new_ni);
         nodeinfo1->hash_node_id = nodeinfo1->node ? nodeinfo1->node->node_id : 0;
         nodeinfo1->subnets = new_subnets;
+        nodeinfo1->cumulative_rtt = incoming_cumulative_rtt;
         nodeinfo1->tranzit_data = new_tranzit; nodeinfo1->tranzit_count = new_tranzit_count;
         nodeinfo1->hop_list = new_hop_list; nodeinfo1->hop_count = new_hop_count;
         nodeinfo1->connectivity.probe_status = PROBE_STATUS_NONE;
@@ -617,7 +626,7 @@ int topo_group_process_nodeinfo(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct ETCP_CONN* from
     memcpy(nodeinfo1->hop_list, hop_list, nodeinfo1->hop_count * 8);
 
     topo_group_remove_path_by_hop(nodeinfo1, from->peer_node_id);
-    topo_group_add_path(nodeinfo1, from, hop_list, nodeinfo1->hop_count);
+    topo_group_add_path(nodeinfo1, from, hop_list, nodeinfo1->hop_count, incoming_cumulative_rtt);
 
     if (group->group_type != TOPO_GROUP_TYPE_CHAT && group->instance->rt) route_insert(group->instance->rt, nodeinfo1);
     if (node_id != group->instance->node_id) {
@@ -645,7 +654,10 @@ int topo_group_process_nodeinfo(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct ETCP_CONN* from
             uint64_t id = item->conn->peer_node_id;
             if (id != node_id) {
                 int found = 0; for (int i = 0; i < hop_count; i++) if (hop_list[i] == id) found = 1;
-                if (found == 0) topo_group_send_nodeinfo(group, nodeinfo1, item->conn);
+                if (found == 0) {
+                    uint16_t out_rtt = (uint16_t)((uint32_t)item->conn->rtt_last + incoming_cumulative_rtt);
+                    topo_group_send_nodeinfo(group, nodeinfo1, item->conn, out_rtt);
+                }
             }
         }
         se = se->next;
@@ -687,7 +699,7 @@ int topo_group_process_withdraw(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct ETCP_CONN* send
     return 0;
 }
 
-void topo_group_send_nodeinfo(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct TOPO_NODEQ* node, struct ETCP_CONN* conn) {
+void topo_group_send_nodeinfo(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct TOPO_NODEQ* node, struct ETCP_CONN* conn, uint16_t cumulative_rtt) {
     if (!group || !node || !conn) return;
 
     size_t max_sz = sizeof(struct TOPOMSG_NODEINFO_PKT) + 4096;
@@ -696,7 +708,7 @@ void topo_group_send_nodeinfo(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct TOPO_NODEQ* node,
 
     p[0] = ETCP_ID_TOPO_ENTRY; p[1] = TOPO_SUBCMD_NODEINFO;
 
-    int ser_len = topo_node_serialize(group, node, p + 2, max_sz - 2);
+    int ser_len = topo_node_serialize(group, node, p + 2, max_sz - 2, cumulative_rtt);
     if (ser_len < 0) { u_free(p); return; }
 
     struct ll_entry* e = queue_entry_new(0);
@@ -739,14 +751,14 @@ static void topo_group_send_full_table(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct ETCP_CON
         struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = (struct TOPO_NODEQ*)e;
         if (nq->hop_count == 0) { e = e->next; continue; }
         if (!nq->paths) { DEBUG_WARN(DEBUG_CATEGORY_BGP, "node has no paths"); e = e->next; continue; }
-        if (topo_group_should_send_to(nq, target)) topo_group_send_nodeinfo(group, nq, conn);
+        if (topo_group_should_send_to(nq, target)) topo_group_send_nodeinfo(group, nq, conn, (uint16_t)((uint32_t)conn->rtt_last + nq->cumulative_rtt));
         e = e->next;
     }
 }
 
 static void topo_group_handle_request_table(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct ETCP_CONN* conn) {
     if (!group || !conn) return;
-    topo_group_send_nodeinfo(group, group->local_node, conn);
+    topo_group_send_nodeinfo(group, group->local_node, conn, 0);
     topo_group_send_full_table(group, conn);
     topo_group_add_to_senders(group, conn);
     topo_group_send_table_complete(group, conn);
diff --git a/src/routing_layer/topo_group.h b/src/routing_layer/topo_group.h
index 3f5d47d5..25068ab7 100644
--- a/src/routing_layer/topo_group.h
+++ b/src/routing_layer/topo_group.h
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 struct UTUN_INSTANCE;
 struct NAT_DETECTION;
+struct CONN_MGR;
 
 /** Callback when a node's info (pubkeys, addresses) is persisted in the DB */
 typedef void (*topo_node_updated_fn)(struct UTUN_INSTANCE* inst, uint64_t node_id,
@@ -128,6 +129,7 @@ struct TOPO_GROUP {
     struct TOPO_NODEQ* local_node;
     uint8_t ed25519_public_key[SC_PUBKEY_SIZE];
     char channel_id[64];              // channel_id для групп типа CHAT
+    struct CONN_MGR* conn_mgr;        // менеджер соединений для этой группы
 };
 
 /**
@@ -218,7 +220,7 @@ int topo_group_process_withdraw(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct ETCP_CONN* send
 /**
  * @brief Отправляет NODEINFO пакет одному conn (всегда local_node).
  */
-void topo_group_send_nodeinfo(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct TOPO_NODEQ* node, struct ETCP_CONN* conn);
+void topo_group_send_nodeinfo(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct TOPO_NODEQ* node, struct ETCP_CONN* conn, uint16_t cumulative_rtt);
 
 /**
  * @brief Отправляет WITHDRAW для node_id (вызывает broadcast_withdraw).
@@ -241,7 +243,7 @@ struct ETCP_CONN* topo_group_find_conn_for_node(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, uint64
  *
  * @return 0 при успехе
  */
-int topo_group_add_path(struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq, struct ETCP_CONN* conn, uint64_t* hop_list, uint8_t hop_count);
+int topo_group_add_path(struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq, struct ETCP_CONN* conn, uint64_t* hop_list, uint8_t hop_count, uint16_t cumulative_rtt);
 
 /**
  * @brief Удаляет conn из paths узла.
diff --git a/src/routing_layer/topo_node.c b/src/routing_layer/topo_node.c
index 03edb123..6accf21b 100644
--- a/src/routing_layer/topo_node.c
+++ b/src/routing_layer/topo_node.c
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ int topo_node_dyn_size(const struct TOPOMSG_NODE* msg) {
            + msg->hop_count * 8;
 }
 
-int topo_node_serialize(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq, uint8_t* out, size_t out_max) {
+int topo_node_serialize(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq, uint8_t* out, size_t out_max, uint16_t cumulative_rtt) {
     if (!group || !nq || !nq->node || !out) return -1;
     struct TOPO_NODE* ni = nq->node;
 
@@ -158,6 +158,7 @@ int topo_node_serialize(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq, uint8_t
     msg.local_v6_subnets = nq->subnets ? topo_list_count((struct _topo_head*)nq->subnets->v6_subnets) : 0;
     msg.tranzit_nodes    = nq->tranzit_count;
     msg.hop_count        = nq->hop_count;
+    msg.cumulative_rtt   = cumulative_rtt;
 
     size_t total = TOPOMSG_NODE_HDR_SIZE + (size_t)topo_node_dyn_size(&msg);
     if (total > out_max) return -1;
@@ -210,7 +211,8 @@ int topo_node_serialize(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq, uint8_t
 
 int topo_node_deserialize(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, const uint8_t* data, size_t len, struct TOPO_NODE** out_ni, struct TOPO_NODESUBNETS** out_subnets,
                           struct TOPOMSG_TRANZIT** out_tranzit, uint8_t* out_tranzit_count,
-                          uint64_t** out_hop_list, uint8_t* out_hop_count) {
+                          uint64_t** out_hop_list, uint8_t* out_hop_count,
+                          uint16_t* out_cumulative_rtt) {
     if (!group || !data || len < TOPOMSG_NODE_HDR_SIZE || !out_ni) return -1;
 
     const struct TOPOMSG_NODE* msg = (const struct TOPOMSG_NODE*)data;
@@ -305,6 +307,7 @@ int topo_node_deserialize(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, const uint8_t* data, size_t
         *out_hop_count = msg->hop_count;
     }
 
+    if (out_cumulative_rtt) *out_cumulative_rtt = msg->cumulative_rtt;
     *out_ni = ni;
     return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/routing_layer/topo_node.h b/src/routing_layer/topo_node.h
index f0acec43..35e2a403 100644
--- a/src/routing_layer/topo_node.h
+++ b/src/routing_layer/topo_node.h
@@ -174,6 +174,7 @@ struct TOPOMSG_NODE {
     uint8_t  local_v6_subnets;
     uint8_t  tranzit_nodes;
     uint8_t  hop_count;
+    uint16_t cumulative_rtt;   // сумма RTT upstream (0.1ms), без последнего линка
 } __attribute__((packed));
 
 #define TOPOMSG_NODE_HDR_SIZE   sizeof(struct TOPOMSG_NODE)
@@ -224,6 +225,7 @@ struct TOPO_NODEPATH {
     struct ll_entry ll;
     struct ETCP_CONN* conn;
     uint8_t  hop_count;
+    uint16_t cumulative_rtt;   // сумма RTT upstream (0.1ms) для этого пути
 };
 
 struct TOPO_NODEQ {
@@ -235,6 +237,7 @@ struct TOPO_NODEQ {
     uint64_t*  hop_list;                           // отдельный malloc
     uint8_t    tranzit_count;
     uint8_t    hop_count;
+    uint16_t   cumulative_rtt;   // база из последнего NODEINFO для пересылки
     struct ll_queue* paths;
     uint8_t dirty;
     uint8_t last_ver;
@@ -277,9 +280,10 @@ static inline const struct TOPO_ADDR6*     topo_v6_addrs(const struct TOPO_NODE*
 static inline const struct TOPO_SUBNET4*   topo_v4_subnets(const struct TOPO_NODESUBNETS* r) { return r ? r->v4_subnets : NULL; }
 static inline const struct TOPO_SUBNET6*   topo_v6_subnets(const struct TOPO_NODESUBNETS* r) { return r ? r->v6_subnets : NULL; }
 
-int topo_node_serialize(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq, uint8_t* out, size_t out_max);
+int topo_node_serialize(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq, uint8_t* out, size_t out_max, uint16_t cumulative_rtt);
 int topo_node_deserialize(struct TOPO_GROUP* group, const uint8_t* data, size_t len, struct TOPO_NODE** out_ni, struct TOPO_NODESUBNETS** out_subnets,
-                          struct TOPOMSG_TRANZIT** out_tranzit, uint8_t* out_tranzit_count, uint64_t** out_hop_list, uint8_t* out_hop_count);
+                          struct TOPOMSG_TRANZIT** out_tranzit, uint8_t* out_tranzit_count, uint64_t** out_hop_list, uint8_t* out_hop_count,
+                          uint16_t* out_cumulative_rtt);
 
 int topo_group_update_my_nodeinfo(struct UTUN_INSTANCE* instance, struct TOPO_GROUP* group);
 
diff --git a/src/routing_layer/topo_node_sqlite.c b/src/routing_layer/topo_node_sqlite.c
index f430dbdd..7d3729c9 100644
--- a/src/routing_layer/topo_node_sqlite.c
+++ b/src/routing_layer/topo_node_sqlite.c
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 #include "topo_node_sqlite.h"
 #include "topo_node.h"
+#include "topo_group.h"
 #include "etcp_connections.h"
 #include "../lib/debug_config.h"
 #include "../lib/mem.h"
+#include "../lib/memory_pool.h"
 #include <string.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 
@@ -655,3 +657,70 @@ void topo_node_sqlite_update_rtt(sqlite3* db, uint64_t node_id, uint16_t rtt) {
     DEBUG_DEBUG(DEBUG_CATEGORY_BGP, "sqlite_update_rtt: node=%016llx rtt=%u",
                 (unsigned long long)node_id, (unsigned)rtt);
 }
+
+struct TOPO_NODE* topo_node_sqlite_node_load(sqlite3* db, struct TOPO_GROUPS* groups, uint64_t node_id) {
+    if (!db || !groups) return NULL;
+
+    uint8_t pubkey[32] = {0}, ed_pubkey[32] = {0};
+    char* name = NULL;
+    int found = 0;
+    {
+        sqlite3_stmt* s = NULL;
+        if (sqlite3_prepare_v2(db, "SELECT name,x25519_pubkey,ed25519_pubkey FROM nodes WHERE node_id=?",
+                               -1, &s, NULL) == SQLITE_OK) {
+            sqlite3_bind_int64(s, 1, (sqlite3_int64)node_id);
+            if (sqlite3_step(s) == SQLITE_ROW) {
+                const char* n = (const char*)sqlite3_column_text(s, 0);
+                if (n) name = u_strdup(n);
+                const void* pk = sqlite3_column_blob(s, 1);
+                if (pk && sqlite3_column_bytes(s, 1) >= 32) memcpy(pubkey, pk, 32);
+                const void* ep = sqlite3_column_blob(s, 2);
+                if (ep && sqlite3_column_bytes(s, 2) >= 32) memcpy(ed_pubkey, ep, 32);
+                found = 1;
+            }
+            sqlite3_finalize(s);
+        }
+    }
+    if (!found) { u_free(name); return NULL; }
+
+    struct TOPO_ADDR4* v4_head = NULL; struct TOPO_ADDR4* v4_tail = NULL;
+    uint8_t sock_id_counter = 0;
+    {
+        sqlite3_stmt* s = NULL;
+        if (sqlite3_prepare_v2(db,
+                "SELECT address,port,addr_type,socket_id FROM node_addresses"
+                " WHERE node_id=? AND family=4 AND protocol=1 ORDER BY addr_type",
+                -1, &s, NULL) == SQLITE_OK) {
+            sqlite3_bind_int64(s, 1, (sqlite3_int64)node_id);
+            while (sqlite3_step(s) == SQLITE_ROW) {
+                const void* addr = sqlite3_column_blob(s, 0);
+                if (!addr || sqlite3_column_bytes(s, 0) < 4) continue;
+                int port = sqlite3_column_int(s, 1);
+                int at = sqlite3_column_int(s, 2);
+                int sock_id_raw = sqlite3_column_int(s, 3);
+                uint8_t sock_id = (uint8_t)(sock_id_raw ? sock_id_raw : ++sock_id_counter);
+                uint8_t type = (at == ADDR_TYPE_NETIF) ? TOPO_ADDR_INTERFACE : TOPO_ADDR_NAT;
+                struct TOPO_ADDR4* a4 = memory_pool_alloc(groups->v4_addr_pool);
+                if (!a4) continue;
+                memset(a4, 0, sizeof(*a4));
+                memcpy(a4->addr, addr, 4); a4->port = (uint16_t)port;
+                a4->type = type; a4->socket_id = sock_id; a4->protocol = TOPO_PROTO_UDP;
+                if (!v4_head) v4_head = v4_tail = a4;
+                else { v4_tail->next = a4; v4_tail = a4; }
+            }
+            sqlite3_finalize(s);
+        }
+    }
+    if (!v4_head) { u_free(name); DEBUG_ERROR(DEBUG_CATEGORY_BGP, "node_load: node 0x%016llx has no IPv4/UDP addresses", (unsigned long long)node_id); return NULL; }
+
+    struct TOPO_NODE* ni = u_calloc(1, sizeof(struct TOPO_NODE));
+    if (!ni) { u_free(name); return NULL; }
+    ni->node_id = node_id; ni->ver = 1; ni->ref_count = 0;
+    memcpy(ni->public_key, pubkey, 32); memcpy(ni->ed25519_public_key, ed_pubkey, 32);
+    ni->node_name = name;
+    ni->v4_addrs = v4_head;
+
+    DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_BGP, "node_load: node 0x%016llx loaded from DB name=%s v4_addrs=%d",
+               (unsigned long long)node_id, name ? name : "", topo_list_count((struct _topo_head*)v4_head));
+    return ni;
+}
diff --git a/src/routing_layer/topo_node_sqlite.h b/src/routing_layer/topo_node_sqlite.h
index 3f95126f..cda6d134 100644
--- a/src/routing_layer/topo_node_sqlite.h
+++ b/src/routing_layer/topo_node_sqlite.h
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include <time.h>
 
 struct TOPO_NODEQ;
+struct TOPO_GROUPS;
 
 #define PEERS_JOIN_SIG_SIZE   64
 #define PEERS_JOIN_TS_SIZE     8
@@ -56,4 +57,14 @@ int topo_node_sqlite_nodeinfo_updated(sqlite3* db, uint64_t node_id);
 /** Обновляет RTT узла: node_addresses.rtt и все peers_*.node_RTT */
 void topo_node_sqlite_update_rtt(sqlite3* db, uint64_t node_id, uint16_t rtt);
 
+/**
+ * @brief Загружает TOPO_NODE из SQLite (ref_count=0).
+ * @param groups нужен для выделения адресов из memory_pool
+ * @return TOPO_NODE* или NULL если узел не найден/нет адресов
+ *
+ * Загружает pubkey, name из nodes, IPv4/UDP-адреса из node_addresses.
+ * Вызывающий должен передать владение через topo_node_registry_acquire().
+ */
+struct TOPO_NODE* topo_node_sqlite_node_load(sqlite3* db, struct TOPO_GROUPS* groups, uint64_t node_id);
+
 #endif
diff --git a/src/transport_layer/etcp_connections.c b/src/transport_layer/etcp_connections.c
index 70d0d0cd..be93fbd5 100644
--- a/src/transport_layer/etcp_connections.c
+++ b/src/transport_layer/etcp_connections.c
@@ -1323,7 +1323,7 @@ static void send_init_response(struct ETCP_SOCKET* e_sock, struct ETCP_DGRAM* pk
                     struct ll_entry* se = g->senders_list->head;
                     while (se) {
                         struct TOPO_GROUP_CONN_ITEM* item = (struct TOPO_GROUP_CONN_ITEM*)se->data;
-                        if (item && item->conn) topo_group_send_nodeinfo(g, g->local_node, item->conn);
+                        if (item && item->conn) topo_group_send_nodeinfo(g, g->local_node, item->conn, 0);
                         se = se->next;
                     }
                 }
diff --git a/src/utun_instance.c b/src/utun_instance.c
index 146ad5d4..0b6fb6e5 100644
--- a/src/utun_instance.c
+++ b/src/utun_instance.c
@@ -205,8 +205,7 @@ static int instance_init_common(struct UTUN_INSTANCE* instance, struct UASYNC* u
         instance->topo_groups = NULL;
     }
 
-    instance->conn_mgr = conn_mgr_init(instance);
-    if (!instance->conn_mgr) DEBUG_WARN(DEBUG_CATEGORY_GENERAL, "Failed to initialize Connection Manager (non-fatal)");
+    // conn_mgr initialized inside topo_group_create (via topo_groups_init)
     
     // Initialize firewall
     fw_init(&instance->fw);
@@ -483,10 +482,11 @@ void utun_instance_destroy(struct UTUN_INSTANCE *instance) {
         nat_transport_destroy(instance);
     }
 
+    // Cleanup conn_mgr (must be before etcp_router_destroy — unbinds from router)
+    if (instance->conn_mgr) { conn_mgr_destroy(instance->conn_mgr); instance->conn_mgr = NULL; }
+
     // Cleanup etcp_router
     etcp_router_destroy(instance);
-
-    if (instance->conn_mgr) { conn_mgr_destroy(instance->conn_mgr); instance->conn_mgr = NULL; }
     
     // Cleanup BGP module
     if (instance->topo_groups) {
diff --git a/tests/test_conn_mgr.c b/tests/test_conn_mgr.c
index a6673d2e..abfc38fa 100644
--- a/tests/test_conn_mgr.c
+++ b/tests/test_conn_mgr.c
@@ -1,14 +1,11 @@
 /**
  * @file test_conn_mgr.c
- * @brief Connection Manager — smoke test
+ * @brief Connection Manager — smoke + DB tests
  *
  * Test 1: Direct via existing ETCP conn → CONN_TYPE_DIRECT
- * Test 2: Status check → state/type
- *
- * Pending:
- *   Test 4: New link UP callback (INIT to new peer via conn_mgr)
- *   Test 5: Indirect through intermediary (needs full Phase 3 exchange)
- *   Test 6: Idle timeout
+ * Test 2: Status check → state/type, correct topo_group
+ * Test 3: DB-loaded node → successful DIRECT connect, node stays in group
+ * Test 4: DB-loaded node → unreachable → UNREACHABLE + node removed from group
  */
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
@@ -33,6 +30,7 @@
 
 #define TIMEOUT_TB 300000
 #define POLL_MS 5
+#define DB_TEST_TIMEOUT_MS 200
 static uint64_t g_nid_a = 0;
 static uint64_t g_nid_b = 0;
 
@@ -54,18 +52,13 @@ static char* gv(const char* p, const char* k) {
     char* r = (strcmp(k, "pub") == 0) ? u_strdup(c->global.my_public_key_hex) : u_strdup(c->global.my_private_key_hex);
     free_config(c); return r;
 }
-static int lks(struct UTUN_INSTANCE* i) {
-    int n = 0; struct ll_entry* entry = i->connections->head;
-    while (entry) { struct conn_queue_entry* ce = (struct conn_queue_entry*)entry->data;
-        struct ETCP_CONN* c = ce->conn;
-        struct ETCP_LINK* l = c->links; while (l) { if (l->initialized && l->link_status) n++; l = l->next; }
-        entry = entry->next; }
-    return n;
-}
 static void fail(const char* msg) { fprintf(stderr, "FAIL: %s\n", msg); fflush(stderr); result = 2; }
 static void test1(void* arg);
 static void test2(void* arg);
 static void test3(void* arg);
+static void test3_check(void* arg);
+static void test4(void* arg);
+static void test4_check(void* arg);
 
 static void to_cb(void* arg) { (void)arg; fprintf(stderr, "TIMEOUT\n"); result = 2; }
 static void ccb(int r, uint64_t id, void* arg) {
@@ -83,15 +76,17 @@ static void test1(void* arg) {
 static void test2(void* arg) {
     (void)arg; if (result) return;
     if (!cdone) { uasync_set_timeout(ua, 50, NULL, (timeout_callback_t)test2, "t2b"); return; }
-    if (cresult != CONN_MGR_OK) { fail("connect failed"); return; }
+    if (cresult != CONN_MGR_OK) { fail("test2: connect failed"); return; }
     uint8_t st, ty; conn_mgr_get_status(g_a->conn_mgr, g_nid_b, &st, &ty);
     fprintf(stderr, "Test 2: status state=%d type=%d\n", st, ty); fflush(stderr);
-    if (st == CONN_MGR_STATE_CONNECTED && ty == CONN_TYPE_DIRECT) fprintf(stderr, "  OK: DIRECT\n");
-    else { fail("status mismatch"); return; }
-    fprintf(stderr, "=== ALL DONE ===\n"); fflush(stderr);
+    if (st != CONN_MGR_STATE_CONNECTED || ty != CONN_TYPE_DIRECT) { fail("test2: status mismatch"); return; }
+    if (g_a->conn_mgr->group->group_id != TOPO_GROUP_UTUN) { fail("test2: wrong group_id"); return; }
+    fprintf(stderr, "  OK: DIRECT, group_id correct\n"); fflush(stderr);
+    fprintf(stderr, "=== PHASE 1 DONE ===\n"); fflush(stderr);
     result = (result == 0) ? 1 : 2;
 }
 
+/* ---- Phase 1: setup/cleanup ---- */
 static void setup(void) {
     test_mkdtemp(tdir);
     int base = 47000 + (getpid() % 15000); pa = base; pb = base + 1;
@@ -109,22 +104,183 @@ static void setup(void) {
 }
 static void cleanup(void) { test_unlink(ca); test_unlink(cb); test_rmdir(tdir); }
 
+/* ---- Phase 2: DB tests ---- */
+static struct UTUN_INSTANCE* g_a2 = NULL, *g_b2 = NULL;
+static struct UASYNC* ua2 = NULL;
+static uint64_t g_nid_a2 = 0, g_nid_b2 = 0, g_nid_c = 0;
+static volatile int cdone2 = 0, cresult2 = 0;
+static char tdir2[] = "/tmp/utun_cm_db_XXXXXX";
+static char ca2[256], cb2[256];
+static int pa2 = 0, pb2 = 0;
+
+static void ccb2(int r, uint64_t id, void* arg) {
+    (void)arg; fprintf(stderr, "connect_cb2: result=%d node=0x%llx\n", r, (unsigned long long)id); fflush(stderr);
+    cdone2 = 1; cresult2 = r;
+}
+
+static int hex2bin(const char* hex, uint8_t* out, size_t out_len) {
+    size_t len = strlen(hex);
+    if (len > out_len * 2) return -1;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < len; i += 2) {
+        unsigned int b;
+        if (sscanf(hex + i, "%2x", &b) != 1) return -1;
+        out[i / 2] = (uint8_t)b;
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static int db_insert_node(sqlite3* db, uint64_t node_id, const uint8_t* x25519_pub,
+                           const char* name, uint8_t ip[4], int port) {
+    sqlite3_stmt* s = NULL;
+    uint8_t zero32[32]; memset(zero32, 0, 32);
+    if (sqlite3_prepare_v2(db,
+            "INSERT OR REPLACE INTO nodes(node_id,name,x25519_pubkey,ed25519_pubkey,last_seen_at) VALUES(?,?,?,?,unixepoch())",
+            -1, &s, NULL) != SQLITE_OK) { fprintf(stderr, "prepare nodes: %s\n", sqlite3_errmsg(db)); return -1; }
+    sqlite3_bind_int64(s, 1, (sqlite3_int64)node_id);
+    sqlite3_bind_text(s, 2, name, -1, SQLITE_STATIC);
+    sqlite3_bind_blob(s, 3, x25519_pub, 32, SQLITE_STATIC);
+    sqlite3_bind_blob(s, 4, zero32, 32, SQLITE_STATIC);
+    if (sqlite3_step(s) != SQLITE_DONE) { fprintf(stderr, "insert nodes: %s\n", sqlite3_errmsg(db)); sqlite3_finalize(s); return -1; }
+    sqlite3_finalize(s);
+
+    if (sqlite3_prepare_v2(db,
+            "INSERT INTO node_addresses(node_id,family,protocol,address,port,addr_type,socket_id) VALUES(?,4,1,?,?,?,0)",
+            -1, &s, NULL) != SQLITE_OK) { fprintf(stderr, "prepare addrs: %s\n", sqlite3_errmsg(db)); return -1; }
+    sqlite3_bind_int64(s, 1, (sqlite3_int64)node_id);
+    sqlite3_bind_blob(s, 2, ip, 4, SQLITE_STATIC);
+    sqlite3_bind_int(s, 3, port);
+    sqlite3_bind_int(s, 4, ADDR_TYPE_DIRECT);
+    if (sqlite3_step(s) != SQLITE_DONE) { fprintf(stderr, "insert addrs: %s\n", sqlite3_errmsg(db)); sqlite3_finalize(s); return -1; }
+    sqlite3_finalize(s);
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static void test3(void* arg) {
+    (void)arg; if (result) return;
+    fprintf(stderr, "Test 3: DB node (B2) — direct connect, node stays in group\n"); fflush(stderr);
+    cdone2 = 0; cresult2 = 0;
+    conn_mgr_connect_node(g_a2->conn_mgr, g_nid_b2, 0, ccb2, NULL);
+    uasync_set_timeout(ua2, 20, NULL, (timeout_callback_t)test3_check, "t3a");
+}
+static void test3_check(void* arg) {
+    (void)arg;
+    if (!cdone2) { uasync_set_timeout(ua2, 20, NULL, (timeout_callback_t)test3_check, "t3b"); return; }
+    if (cresult2 != CONN_MGR_OK) { fail("test3: connect B2 failed"); return; }
+
+    uint8_t st, ty; conn_mgr_get_status(g_a2->conn_mgr, g_nid_b2, &st, &ty);
+    fprintf(stderr, "  state=%d type=%d\n", st, ty); fflush(stderr);
+    if (st != CONN_MGR_STATE_CONNECTED || ty != CONN_TYPE_DIRECT) { fail("test3: status mismatch"); return; }
+
+    struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(g_a2->conn_mgr->group, g_nid_b2);
+    if (!nq) { fail("test3: B2 not in group after connect"); return; }
+    if (g_a2->conn_mgr->group->group_id != TOPO_GROUP_UTUN) { fail("test3: wrong group_id"); return; }
+
+    fprintf(stderr, "  OK: DIRECT, node in group, group_id=%016llx\n", (unsigned long long)g_a2->conn_mgr->group->group_id); fflush(stderr);
+    cdone2 = 0; cresult2 = 0;
+    uasync_set_timeout(ua2, 50, NULL, (timeout_callback_t)test4, "t4a");
+}
+
+static void test4(void* arg) {
+    (void)arg; if (result) return;
+    fprintf(stderr, "Test 4: DB node (C, unreachable) — timeout → UNREACHABLE, node removed\n"); fflush(stderr);
+    cdone2 = 0; cresult2 = 0;
+    conn_mgr_connect_node(g_a2->conn_mgr, g_nid_c, 0, ccb2, NULL);
+    uasync_set_timeout(ua2, 20, NULL, (timeout_callback_t)test4_check, "t4b");
+}
+static void test4_check(void* arg) {
+    (void)arg;
+    if (!cdone2) { uasync_set_timeout(ua2, 20, NULL, (timeout_callback_t)test4_check, "t4c"); return; }
+    if (cresult2 != CONN_MGR_ERR_UNREACHABLE) { fail("test4: expected UNREACHABLE"); return; }
+
+    struct TOPO_NODEQ* nq = topo_node_find_by_id(g_a2->conn_mgr->group, g_nid_c);
+    if (nq && !(nq->paths && queue_entry_count(nq->paths) > 0)) { fail("test4: C still in group after unreachable"); return; }
+
+    fprintf(stderr, "  OK: UNREACHABLE, node cleaned up\n"); fflush(stderr);
+    fprintf(stderr, "=== ALL DONE ===\n"); fflush(stderr);
+    result = (result == 0) ? 1 : 2;
+}
+
+static void setup_db_test(void) {
+    test_mkdtemp(tdir2);
+    int base = 48000 + (getpid() % 10000); pa2 = base; pb2 = base + 1;
+    char dbdir_a[320], dbdir_b[320];
+    snprintf(dbdir_a, sizeof(dbdir_a), "%s/db_a", tdir2); utun_mkdir(dbdir_a, 0755);
+    snprintf(dbdir_b, sizeof(dbdir_b), "%s/db_b", tdir2); utun_mkdir(dbdir_b, 0755);
+    snprintf(ca2, sizeof(ca2), "%s/a2.conf", tdir2); snprintf(cb2, sizeof(cb2), "%s/b2.conf", tdir2);
+    wf(ca2, "[global]\ntun_ip=10.98.0.1/24\ntun_ifname=tun97\n"
+        "db_path=%s\n[server: s1]\naddr=127.0.0.1:%d\ntype=public\n[allowed_keys]\nallow_all=1\n", dbdir_a, pa2);
+    wf(cb2, "[global]\ntun_ip=10.98.0.2/24\ntun_ifname=tun96\n"
+        "db_path=%s\n[server: s1]\naddr=127.0.0.1:%d\ntype=public\n[allowed_keys]\nallow_all=1\n", dbdir_b, pb2);
+    config_ensure_keys_and_node_id(ca2); config_ensure_keys_and_node_id(cb2);
+    { struct utun_config* cfa = parse_config(ca2); g_nid_a2 = cfa->global.my_node_id; free_config(cfa);
+      struct utun_config* cfb = parse_config(cb2); g_nid_b2 = cfb->global.my_node_id; free_config(cfb); }
+    char *r0 = gv(ca2,"priv"), *p0 = gv(ca2,"pub");
+    char *r1 = gv(cb2,"priv"), *p1 = gv(cb2,"pub");
+    wf(ca2, "[global]\nmy_private_key=%s\nmy_public_key=%s\ntun_ip=10.98.0.1/24\ntun_ifname=tun97\n"
+        "db_path=%s\n[server: s1]\naddr=127.0.0.1:%d\ntype=public\n[allowed_keys]\nallow_all=1\n", r0, p0, dbdir_a, pa2);
+    wf(cb2, "[global]\nmy_private_key=%s\nmy_public_key=%s\ntun_ip=10.98.0.2/24\ntun_ifname=tun96\n"
+        "db_path=%s\n[server: s1]\naddr=127.0.0.1:%d\ntype=public\n[allowed_keys]\nallow_all=1\n", r1, p1, dbdir_b, pb2);
+    u_free(r0); u_free(p0); u_free(r1); u_free(p1);
+    /* fake unreachable node C — random id, random pubkey, dead port 55555 */
+    g_nid_c = 0xC0DEC0DEC0DEC0DEULL;
+}
+static void cleanup_db_test(void) { test_unlink(ca2); test_unlink(cb2); test_rmdir(tdir2); }
+
+/* ---- main ---- */
 int main(void) {
     debug_config_init(); debug_set_level(DEBUG_LEVEL_WARN);
-    utun_instance_set_tun_init_enabled(0); setup();
+    utun_instance_set_tun_init_enabled(0);
+
+    /* ===== Phase 1: existing tests with client link ===== */
+    setup();
     ua = uasync_create();
     g_a = utun_instance_create(ua, ca); g_b = utun_instance_create(ua, cb);
-    if (!g_a || !g_b) goto done;
+    if (!g_a || !g_b) goto phase1_cleanup;
     utun_instance_init(g_a); utun_instance_init(g_b);
     uasync_call_soon(ua, NULL, test1);
-    ttimer = uasync_set_timeout(ua, TIMEOUT_TB, NULL, to_cb, "to");
+    ttimer = uasync_set_timeout(ua, TIMEOUT_TB, NULL, to_cb, "to1");
     { int el = 0; while (!result && el < TIMEOUT_TB + 5000) { uasync_poll(ua, POLL_MS); el += POLL_MS; } }
-    fprintf(stderr, "final result=%d\n", result); fflush(stderr);
-done:
-    if (ttimer) uasync_cancel_timeout(ua, ttimer);
-    if (g_a) { g_a->running = 0; utun_instance_destroy(g_a); }
-    if (g_b) { g_b->running = 0; utun_instance_destroy(g_b); }
+    fprintf(stderr, "phase1 result=%d\n", result); fflush(stderr);
+phase1_cleanup:
+    if (ttimer) { uasync_cancel_timeout(ua, ttimer); ttimer = NULL; }
+    if (g_a) { g_a->running = 0; utun_instance_destroy(g_a); g_a = NULL; }
+    if (g_b) { g_b->running = 0; utun_instance_destroy(g_b); g_b = NULL; }
     if (ua) { uasync_destroy(ua, 0); ua = NULL; }
     cleanup();
+
+    if (result == 2) return 1;
+    result = 0; cdone2 = 0; cresult2 = 0;
+
+    /* ===== Phase 2: DB-loaded node tests ===== */
+    setup_db_test();
+    ua2 = uasync_create();
+    g_a2 = utun_instance_create(ua2, ca2); g_b2 = utun_instance_create(ua2, cb2);
+    if (!g_a2 || !g_b2) goto done;
+    utun_instance_init(g_a2); utun_instance_init(g_b2);
+
+    /* Insert B2 and fake C into A2's SQLite (B2 listens on pb2) */
+    {
+        uint8_t b2_pubkey[32], c_pubkey[32];
+        memset(c_pubkey, 0xCC, 32);
+        memcpy(b2_pubkey, g_b2->my_keys.public_key, 32);
+        uint8_t ip[4] = {127, 0, 0, 1};
+        if (db_insert_node(g_a2->topo_sqlite_db, g_nid_b2, b2_pubkey, "B2", ip, pb2) != 0)
+            { fprintf(stderr, "FAIL: db_insert B2\n"); result = 2; goto done; }
+        if (db_insert_node(g_a2->topo_sqlite_db, g_nid_c, c_pubkey, "C", ip, 55555) != 0)
+            { fprintf(stderr, "FAIL: db_insert C\n"); result = 2; goto done; }
+    }
+    conn_mgr_set_direct_timeout_ms(g_a2->conn_mgr, DB_TEST_TIMEOUT_MS);
+
+    uasync_call_soon(ua2, NULL, test3);
+    ttimer = uasync_set_timeout(ua2, DB_TEST_TIMEOUT_MS * 10 + 100000, NULL, to_cb, "to2");
+    { int el = 0; while (!result && el < TIMEOUT_TB + 5000) { uasync_poll(ua2, POLL_MS); el += POLL_MS; } }
+    fprintf(stderr, "phase2 result=%d\n", result); fflush(stderr);
+
+done:
+    if (ttimer) { uasync_cancel_timeout(ua2, ttimer); ttimer = NULL; }
+    if (g_a2) { g_a2->running = 0; utun_instance_destroy(g_a2); g_a2 = NULL; }
+    if (g_b2) { g_b2->running = 0; utun_instance_destroy(g_b2); g_b2 = NULL; }
+    if (ua2) { uasync_destroy(ua2, 0); ua2 = NULL; }
+    cleanup_db_test();
     return (result == 1) ? 0 : 1;
 }