ME Strict Writers

Co-Authored-By: brekotis <93345790+brekotis@users.noreply.github.com>

src/ip_tracker.rs

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::net::IpAddr;
 use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, Ordering};
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 
 use tokio::sync::RwLock;
@@ -18,6 +19,7 @@ pub struct UserIpTracker {
     max_ips: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<String, usize>>>,
     limit_mode: Arc<RwLock<UserMaxUniqueIpsMode>>,
     limit_window: Arc<RwLock<Duration>>,
+    last_compact_epoch_secs: Arc<AtomicU64>,
 }
 
 impl UserIpTracker {
@@ -28,6 +30,54 @@ impl UserIpTracker {
             max_ips: Arc::new(RwLock::new(HashMap::new())),
             limit_mode: Arc::new(RwLock::new(UserMaxUniqueIpsMode::ActiveWindow)),
             limit_window: Arc::new(RwLock::new(Duration::from_secs(30))),
+            last_compact_epoch_secs: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0)),
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn now_epoch_secs() -> u64 {
+        std::time::SystemTime::now()
+            .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+            .unwrap_or_default()
+            .as_secs()
+    }
+
+    async fn maybe_compact_empty_users(&self) {
+        const COMPACT_INTERVAL_SECS: u64 = 60;
+        let now_epoch_secs = Self::now_epoch_secs();
+        let last_compact_epoch_secs = self.last_compact_epoch_secs.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+        if now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(last_compact_epoch_secs) < COMPACT_INTERVAL_SECS {
+            return;
+        }
+        if self
+            .last_compact_epoch_secs
+            .compare_exchange(
+                last_compact_epoch_secs,
+                now_epoch_secs,
+                Ordering::AcqRel,
+                Ordering::Relaxed,
+            )
+            .is_err()
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        let mut active_ips = self.active_ips.write().await;
+        let mut recent_ips = self.recent_ips.write().await;
+        let mut users = Vec::<String>::with_capacity(active_ips.len().saturating_add(recent_ips.len()));
+        users.extend(active_ips.keys().cloned());
+        for user in recent_ips.keys() {
+            if !active_ips.contains_key(user) {
+                users.push(user.clone());
+            }
+        }
+
+        for user in users {
+            let active_empty = active_ips.get(&user).map(|ips| ips.is_empty()).unwrap_or(true);
+            let recent_empty = recent_ips.get(&user).map(|ips| ips.is_empty()).unwrap_or(true);
+            if active_empty && recent_empty {
+                active_ips.remove(&user);
+                recent_ips.remove(&user);
+            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -63,6 +113,7 @@ impl UserIpTracker {
     }
 
     pub async fn check_and_add(&self, username: &str, ip: IpAddr) -> Result<(), String> {
+        self.maybe_compact_empty_users().await;
         let limit = {
             let max_ips = self.max_ips.read().await;
             max_ips.get(username).copied()
@@ -116,6 +167,7 @@ impl UserIpTracker {
     }
 
     pub async fn remove_ip(&self, username: &str, ip: IpAddr) {
+        self.maybe_compact_empty_users().await;
         let mut active_ips = self.active_ips.write().await;
         if let Some(user_ips) = active_ips.get_mut(username) {
             if let Some(count) = user_ips.get_mut(&ip) {

src/proxy/middle_relay.rs

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, Ordering};
 use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex, OnceLock};
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 
+use bytes::Bytes;
 use tokio::io::{AsyncRead, AsyncReadExt, AsyncWrite, AsyncWriteExt};
 use tokio::sync::{mpsc, oneshot};
 use tracing::{debug, trace, warn};
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ use crate::stream::{BufferPool, CryptoReader, CryptoWriter};
 use crate::transport::middle_proxy::{MePool, MeResponse, proto_flags_for_tag};
 
 enum C2MeCommand {
-    Data { payload: Vec<u8>, flags: u32 },
+    Data { payload: Bytes, flags: u32 },
     Close,
 }
 
@@ -283,7 +284,7 @@ where
                         success.dc_idx,
                         peer,
                         translated_local_addr,
-                        &payload,
+                        payload.as_ref(),
                         flags,
                         effective_tag.as_deref(),
                     ).await?;
@@ -479,7 +480,7 @@ async fn read_client_payload<R>(
     forensics: &RelayForensicsState,
     frame_counter: &mut u64,
     stats: &Stats,
-) -> Result<Option<(Vec<u8>, bool)>>
+) -> Result<Option<(Bytes, bool)>>
 where
     R: AsyncRead + Unpin + Send + 'static,
 {
@@ -578,7 +579,7 @@ where
             payload.truncate(secure_payload_len);
         }
         *frame_counter += 1;
-        return Ok(Some((payload, quickack)));
+        return Ok(Some((Bytes::from(payload), quickack)));
     }
 }
 
@@ -715,7 +716,7 @@ mod tests {
         enqueue_c2me_command(
             &tx,
             C2MeCommand::Data {
-                payload: vec![1, 2, 3],
+                payload: Bytes::from_static(&[1, 2, 3]),
                 flags: 0,
             },
         )
@@ -728,7 +729,7 @@ mod tests {
             .unwrap();
         match recv {
             C2MeCommand::Data { payload, flags } => {
-                assert_eq!(payload, vec![1, 2, 3]);
+                assert_eq!(payload.as_ref(), &[1, 2, 3]);
                 assert_eq!(flags, 0);
             }
             C2MeCommand::Close => panic!("unexpected close command"),
@@ -739,7 +740,7 @@ mod tests {
     async fn enqueue_c2me_command_falls_back_to_send_when_queue_is_full() {
         let (tx, mut rx) = mpsc::channel::<C2MeCommand>(1);
         tx.send(C2MeCommand::Data {
-            payload: vec![9],
+            payload: Bytes::from_static(&[9]),
             flags: 9,
         })
         .await
@@ -750,7 +751,7 @@ mod tests {
             enqueue_c2me_command(
                 &tx2,
                 C2MeCommand::Data {
-                    payload: vec![7, 7],
+                    payload: Bytes::from_static(&[7, 7]),
                     flags: 7,
                 },
             )
@@ -769,7 +770,7 @@ mod tests {
             .unwrap();
         match recv {
             C2MeCommand::Data { payload, flags } => {
-                assert_eq!(payload, vec![7, 7]);
+                assert_eq!(payload.as_ref(), &[7, 7]);
                 assert_eq!(flags, 7);
             }
             C2MeCommand::Close => panic!("unexpected close command"),

src/stats/mod.rs

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ pub mod beobachten;
 pub mod telemetry;
 
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU8, AtomicU64, Ordering};
-use std::time::{Instant, Duration};
+use std::time::{Duration, Instant, SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 use dashmap::DashMap;
 use parking_lot::Mutex;
 use lru::LruCache;
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ pub struct Stats {
     telemetry_user_enabled: AtomicBool,
     telemetry_me_level: AtomicU8,
     user_stats: DashMap<String, UserStats>,
+    user_stats_last_cleanup_epoch_secs: AtomicU64,
     start_time: parking_lot::RwLock<Option<Instant>>,
 }
 
@@ -130,6 +131,7 @@ pub struct UserStats {
     pub octets_to_client: AtomicU64,
     pub msgs_from_client: AtomicU64,
     pub msgs_to_client: AtomicU64,
+    pub last_seen_epoch_secs: AtomicU64,
 }
 
 impl Stats {
@@ -178,6 +180,54 @@ impl Stats {
         }
     }
 
+    fn now_epoch_secs() -> u64 {
+        SystemTime::now()
+            .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+            .unwrap_or_default()
+            .as_secs()
+    }
+
+    fn touch_user_stats(stats: &UserStats) {
+        stats
+            .last_seen_epoch_secs
+            .store(Self::now_epoch_secs(), Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
+    fn maybe_cleanup_user_stats(&self) {
+        const USER_STATS_CLEANUP_INTERVAL_SECS: u64 = 60;
+        const USER_STATS_IDLE_TTL_SECS: u64 = 24 * 60 * 60;
+
+        let now_epoch_secs = Self::now_epoch_secs();
+        let last_cleanup_epoch_secs = self
+            .user_stats_last_cleanup_epoch_secs
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+        if now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(last_cleanup_epoch_secs)
+            < USER_STATS_CLEANUP_INTERVAL_SECS
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+        if self
+            .user_stats_last_cleanup_epoch_secs
+            .compare_exchange(
+                last_cleanup_epoch_secs,
+                now_epoch_secs,
+                Ordering::AcqRel,
+                Ordering::Relaxed,
+            )
+            .is_err()
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        self.user_stats.retain(|_, stats| {
+            if stats.curr_connects.load(Ordering::Relaxed) > 0 {
+                return true;
+            }
+            let last_seen_epoch_secs = stats.last_seen_epoch_secs.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+            now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(last_seen_epoch_secs) <= USER_STATS_IDLE_TTL_SECS
+        });
+    }
+
     pub fn apply_telemetry_policy(&self, policy: TelemetryPolicy) {
         self.telemetry_core_enabled
             .store(policy.core_enabled, Ordering::Relaxed);
@@ -970,34 +1020,36 @@ impl Stats {
         if !self.telemetry_user_enabled() {
             return;
         }
+        self.maybe_cleanup_user_stats();
         if let Some(stats) = self.user_stats.get(user) {
+            Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
             stats.connects.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
             return;
         }
-        self.user_stats
+        let stats = self.user_stats.entry(user.to_string()).or_default();
-            .entry(user.to_string())
+        Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
-            .or_default()
+        stats.connects.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
-            .connects
-            .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
     }
     
     pub fn increment_user_curr_connects(&self, user: &str) {
         if !self.telemetry_user_enabled() {
             return;
         }
+        self.maybe_cleanup_user_stats();
         if let Some(stats) = self.user_stats.get(user) {
+            Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
             stats.curr_connects.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
             return;
         }
-        self.user_stats
+        let stats = self.user_stats.entry(user.to_string()).or_default();
-            .entry(user.to_string())
+        Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
-            .or_default()
+        stats.curr_connects.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
-            .curr_connects
-            .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
     }
     
     pub fn decrement_user_curr_connects(&self, user: &str) {
+        self.maybe_cleanup_user_stats();
         if let Some(stats) = self.user_stats.get(user) {
+            Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
             let counter = &stats.curr_connects;
             let mut current = counter.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
             loop {
@@ -1027,60 +1079,60 @@ impl Stats {
         if !self.telemetry_user_enabled() {
             return;
         }
+        self.maybe_cleanup_user_stats();
         if let Some(stats) = self.user_stats.get(user) {
+            Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
             stats.octets_from_client.fetch_add(bytes, Ordering::Relaxed);
             return;
         }
-        self.user_stats
+        let stats = self.user_stats.entry(user.to_string()).or_default();
-            .entry(user.to_string())
+        Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
-            .or_default()
+        stats.octets_from_client.fetch_add(bytes, Ordering::Relaxed);
-            .octets_from_client
-            .fetch_add(bytes, Ordering::Relaxed);
     }
     
     pub fn add_user_octets_to(&self, user: &str, bytes: u64) {
         if !self.telemetry_user_enabled() {
             return;
         }
+        self.maybe_cleanup_user_stats();
         if let Some(stats) = self.user_stats.get(user) {
+            Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
             stats.octets_to_client.fetch_add(bytes, Ordering::Relaxed);
             return;
         }
-        self.user_stats
+        let stats = self.user_stats.entry(user.to_string()).or_default();
-            .entry(user.to_string())
+        Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
-            .or_default()
+        stats.octets_to_client.fetch_add(bytes, Ordering::Relaxed);
-            .octets_to_client
-            .fetch_add(bytes, Ordering::Relaxed);
     }
     
     pub fn increment_user_msgs_from(&self, user: &str) {
         if !self.telemetry_user_enabled() {
             return;
         }
+        self.maybe_cleanup_user_stats();
         if let Some(stats) = self.user_stats.get(user) {
+            Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
             stats.msgs_from_client.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
             return;
         }
-        self.user_stats
+        let stats = self.user_stats.entry(user.to_string()).or_default();
-            .entry(user.to_string())
+        Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
-            .or_default()
+        stats.msgs_from_client.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
-            .msgs_from_client
-            .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
     }
     
     pub fn increment_user_msgs_to(&self, user: &str) {
         if !self.telemetry_user_enabled() {
             return;
         }
+        self.maybe_cleanup_user_stats();
         if let Some(stats) = self.user_stats.get(user) {
+            Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
             stats.msgs_to_client.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
             return;
         }
-        self.user_stats
+        let stats = self.user_stats.entry(user.to_string()).or_default();
-            .entry(user.to_string())
+        Self::touch_user_stats(stats.value());
-            .or_default()
+        stats.msgs_to_client.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
-            .msgs_to_client
-            .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
     }
     
     pub fn get_user_total_octets(&self, user: &str) -> u64 {

src/transport/middle_proxy/codec.rs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use tokio::io::{AsyncReadExt, AsyncWriteExt};
+use bytes::Bytes;
 
 use crate::crypto::{AesCbc, crc32, crc32c};
 use crate::error::{ProxyError, Result};
@@ -6,8 +7,8 @@ use crate::protocol::constants::*;
 
 /// Commands sent to dedicated writer tasks to avoid mutex contention on TCP writes.
 pub(crate) enum WriterCommand {
-    Data(Vec<u8>),
+    Data(Bytes),
-    DataAndFlush(Vec<u8>),
+    DataAndFlush(Bytes),
     Close,
 }
 

src/transport/middle_proxy/handshake.rs

@@ -135,10 +135,15 @@ impl MePool {
     pub(crate) async fn connect_tcp(
         &self,
         addr: SocketAddr,
+        dc_idx_override: Option<i16>,
     ) -> Result<(TcpStream, f64, Option<UpstreamEgressInfo>)> {
         let start = Instant::now();
         let (stream, upstream_egress) = if let Some(upstream) = &self.upstream {
-            let dc_idx = self.resolve_dc_idx_for_endpoint(addr).await;
+            let dc_idx = if let Some(dc_idx) = dc_idx_override {
+                Some(dc_idx)
+            } else {
+                self.resolve_dc_idx_for_endpoint(addr).await
+            };
             let (stream, egress) = upstream.connect_with_details(addr, dc_idx, None).await?;
             (stream, Some(egress))
         } else {

src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs

@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ pub async fn me_health_monitor(pool: Arc<MePool>, rng: Arc<SecureRandom>, _min_c
     loop {
         tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(HEALTH_INTERVAL_SECS)).await;
         pool.prune_closed_writers().await;
+        reap_draining_writers(&pool).await;
         check_family(
             IpFamily::V4,
             &pool,
@@ -95,6 +96,28 @@ pub async fn me_health_monitor(pool: Arc<MePool>, rng: Arc<SecureRandom>, _min_c
     }
 }
 
+async fn reap_draining_writers(pool: &Arc<MePool>) {
+    let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
+    let writers = pool.writers.read().await.clone();
+    for writer in writers {
+        if !writer.draining.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            continue;
+        }
+        if pool.registry.is_writer_empty(writer.id).await {
+            pool.remove_writer_and_close_clients(writer.id).await;
+            continue;
+        }
+        let deadline_epoch_secs = writer
+            .drain_deadline_epoch_secs
+            .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+        if deadline_epoch_secs != 0 && now_epoch_secs >= deadline_epoch_secs {
+            warn!(writer_id = writer.id, "Drain timeout, force-closing");
+            pool.stats.increment_pool_force_close_total();
+            pool.remove_writer_and_close_clients(writer.id).await;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 async fn check_family(
     family: IpFamily,
     pool: &Arc<MePool>,
@@ -153,12 +176,18 @@ async fn check_family(
             .push(writer.id);
     }
     let writer_idle_since = pool.registry.writer_idle_since_snapshot().await;
+    let bound_clients_by_writer = pool
+        .registry
+        .writer_activity_snapshot()
+        .await
+        .bound_clients_by_writer;
     let floor_plan = build_family_floor_plan(
         pool,
         family,
         &dc_endpoints,
         &live_addr_counts,
         &live_writer_ids_by_addr,
+        &bound_clients_by_writer,
         adaptive_idle_since,
         adaptive_recover_until,
     )
@@ -241,6 +270,7 @@ async fn check_family(
                 required,
                 &live_writer_ids_by_addr,
                 &writer_idle_since,
+                &bound_clients_by_writer,
                 idle_refresh_next_attempt,
             )
             .await;
@@ -254,6 +284,7 @@ async fn check_family(
                 alive,
                 required,
                 &live_writer_ids_by_addr,
+                &bound_clients_by_writer,
                 shadow_rotate_deadline,
             )
             .await;
@@ -320,6 +351,7 @@ async fn check_family(
                     &endpoints,
                     &live_writer_ids_by_addr,
                     &writer_idle_since,
+                    &bound_clients_by_writer,
                 )
                 .await;
                 if swapped {
@@ -470,6 +502,7 @@ async fn build_family_floor_plan(
     dc_endpoints: &HashMap<i32, Vec<SocketAddr>>,
     live_addr_counts: &HashMap<SocketAddr, usize>,
     live_writer_ids_by_addr: &HashMap<SocketAddr, Vec<u64>>,
+    bound_clients_by_writer: &HashMap<u64, usize>,
     adaptive_idle_since: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
     adaptive_recover_until: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
 ) -> FamilyFloorPlan {
@@ -491,6 +524,7 @@ async fn build_family_floor_plan(
             key,
             endpoints,
             live_writer_ids_by_addr,
+            bound_clients_by_writer,
             adaptive_idle_since,
             adaptive_recover_until,
         )
@@ -521,7 +555,7 @@ async fn build_family_floor_plan(
             .sum::<usize>();
         family_active_total = family_active_total.saturating_add(alive);
         let writer_ids = list_writer_ids_for_endpoints(endpoints, live_writer_ids_by_addr);
-        let has_bound_clients = has_bound_clients_on_endpoint(pool, &writer_ids).await;
+        let has_bound_clients = has_bound_clients_on_endpoint(&writer_ids, bound_clients_by_writer);
 
         entries.push(DcFloorPlanEntry {
             dc: *dc,
@@ -622,6 +656,7 @@ async fn maybe_swap_idle_writer_for_cap(
     endpoints: &[SocketAddr],
     live_writer_ids_by_addr: &HashMap<SocketAddr, Vec<u64>>,
     writer_idle_since: &HashMap<u64, u64>,
+    bound_clients_by_writer: &HashMap<u64, usize>,
 ) -> bool {
     let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
     let mut candidate: Option<(u64, SocketAddr, u64)> = None;
@@ -630,7 +665,7 @@ async fn maybe_swap_idle_writer_for_cap(
             continue;
         };
         for writer_id in writer_ids {
-            if !pool.registry.is_writer_empty(*writer_id).await {
+            if bound_clients_by_writer.get(writer_id).copied().unwrap_or(0) > 0 {
                 continue;
             }
             let Some(idle_since_epoch_secs) = writer_idle_since.get(writer_id).copied() else {
@@ -705,6 +740,7 @@ async fn maybe_refresh_idle_writer_for_dc(
     required: usize,
     live_writer_ids_by_addr: &HashMap<SocketAddr, Vec<u64>>,
     writer_idle_since: &HashMap<u64, u64>,
+    bound_clients_by_writer: &HashMap<u64, usize>,
     idle_refresh_next_attempt: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
 ) {
     if alive < required {
@@ -725,6 +761,9 @@ async fn maybe_refresh_idle_writer_for_dc(
             continue;
         };
         for writer_id in writer_ids {
+            if bound_clients_by_writer.get(writer_id).copied().unwrap_or(0) > 0 {
+                continue;
+            }
             let Some(idle_since_epoch_secs) = writer_idle_since.get(writer_id).copied() else {
                 continue;
             };
@@ -806,6 +845,7 @@ async fn should_reduce_floor_for_idle(
     key: (i32, IpFamily),
     endpoints: &[SocketAddr],
     live_writer_ids_by_addr: &HashMap<SocketAddr, Vec<u64>>,
+    bound_clients_by_writer: &HashMap<u64, usize>,
     adaptive_idle_since: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
     adaptive_recover_until: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
 ) -> bool {
@@ -817,7 +857,7 @@ async fn should_reduce_floor_for_idle(
 
     let now = Instant::now();
     let writer_ids = list_writer_ids_for_endpoints(endpoints, live_writer_ids_by_addr);
-    let has_bound_clients = has_bound_clients_on_endpoint(pool, &writer_ids).await;
+    let has_bound_clients = has_bound_clients_on_endpoint(&writer_ids, bound_clients_by_writer);
     if has_bound_clients {
         adaptive_idle_since.remove(&key);
         adaptive_recover_until.insert(key, now + pool.adaptive_floor_recover_grace_duration());
@@ -836,13 +876,13 @@ async fn should_reduce_floor_for_idle(
     now.saturating_duration_since(*idle_since) >= pool.adaptive_floor_idle_duration()
 }
 
-async fn has_bound_clients_on_endpoint(pool: &Arc<MePool>, writer_ids: &[u64]) -> bool {
+fn has_bound_clients_on_endpoint(
-    for writer_id in writer_ids {
+    writer_ids: &[u64],
-        if !pool.registry.is_writer_empty(*writer_id).await {
+    bound_clients_by_writer: &HashMap<u64, usize>,
-            return true;
+) -> bool {
-        }
+    writer_ids
-    }
+        .iter()
-    false
+        .any(|writer_id| bound_clients_by_writer.get(writer_id).copied().unwrap_or(0) > 0)
 }
 
 async fn recover_single_endpoint_outage(
@@ -973,6 +1013,7 @@ async fn maybe_rotate_single_endpoint_shadow(
     alive: usize,
     required: usize,
     live_writer_ids_by_addr: &HashMap<SocketAddr, Vec<u64>>,
+    bound_clients_by_writer: &HashMap<u64, usize>,
     shadow_rotate_deadline: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
 ) {
     if endpoints.len() != 1 || alive < required {
@@ -1011,7 +1052,7 @@ async fn maybe_rotate_single_endpoint_shadow(
 
     let mut candidate_writer_id = None;
     for writer_id in writer_ids {
-        if pool.registry.is_writer_empty(*writer_id).await {
+        if bound_clients_by_writer.get(writer_id).copied().unwrap_or(0) == 0 {
             candidate_writer_id = Some(*writer_id);
             break;
         }

src/transport/middle_proxy/ping.rs

@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ pub async fn run_me_ping(pool: &Arc<MePool>, rng: &SecureRandom) -> Vec<MePingRe
             let mut error = None;
             let mut route = None;
 
-            match pool.connect_tcp(addr).await {
+            match pool.connect_tcp(addr, None).await {
                 Ok((stream, conn_rtt, upstream_egress)) => {
                     connect_ms = Some(conn_rtt);
                     route = route_from_egress(upstream_egress);

src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs

@@ -22,10 +22,17 @@ pub(super) struct RefillDcKey {
     pub family: IpFamily,
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
+pub(super) struct RefillEndpointKey {
+    pub dc: i32,
+    pub addr: SocketAddr,
+}
+
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct MeWriter {
     pub id: u64,
     pub addr: SocketAddr,
+    pub writer_dc: i32,
     pub generation: u64,
     pub contour: Arc<AtomicU8>,
     pub created_at: Instant,
@@ -34,6 +41,7 @@ pub struct MeWriter {
     pub degraded: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     pub draining: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     pub draining_started_at_epoch_secs: Arc<AtomicU64>,
+    pub drain_deadline_epoch_secs: Arc<AtomicU64>,
     pub allow_drain_fallback: Arc<AtomicBool>,
 }
 
@@ -128,12 +136,13 @@ pub struct MePool {
     pub(super) default_dc: AtomicI32,
     pub(super) next_writer_id: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) ping_tracker: Arc<Mutex<HashMap<i64, (std::time::Instant, u64)>>>,
+    pub(super) ping_tracker_last_cleanup_epoch_ms: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) rtt_stats: Arc<Mutex<HashMap<u64, (f64, f64)>>>,
     pub(super) nat_reflection_cache: Arc<Mutex<NatReflectionCache>>,
     pub(super) nat_reflection_singleflight_v4: Arc<Mutex<()>>,
     pub(super) nat_reflection_singleflight_v6: Arc<Mutex<()>>,
     pub(super) writer_available: Arc<Notify>,
-    pub(super) refill_inflight: Arc<Mutex<HashSet<SocketAddr>>>,
+    pub(super) refill_inflight: Arc<Mutex<HashSet<RefillEndpointKey>>>,
     pub(super) refill_inflight_dc: Arc<Mutex<HashSet<RefillDcKey>>>,
     pub(super) conn_count: AtomicUsize,
     pub(super) stats: Arc<crate::stats::Stats>,
@@ -361,6 +370,7 @@ impl MePool {
             default_dc: AtomicI32::new(default_dc.unwrap_or(2)),
             next_writer_id: AtomicU64::new(1),
             ping_tracker: Arc::new(Mutex::new(HashMap::new())),
+            ping_tracker_last_cleanup_epoch_ms: AtomicU64::new(0),
             rtt_stats: Arc::new(Mutex::new(HashMap::new())),
             nat_reflection_cache: Arc::new(Mutex::new(NatReflectionCache::default())),
             nat_reflection_singleflight_v4: Arc::new(Mutex::new(())),
@@ -779,6 +789,36 @@ impl MePool {
         if dc == 0 { 2 } else { dc }
     }
 
+    pub(super) async fn has_configured_endpoints_for_dc(&self, dc: i32) -> bool {
+        if self.decision.ipv4_me {
+            let map = self.proxy_map_v4.read().await;
+            if map.get(&dc).is_some_and(|endpoints| !endpoints.is_empty()) {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if self.decision.ipv6_me {
+            let map = self.proxy_map_v6.read().await;
+            if map.get(&dc).is_some_and(|endpoints| !endpoints.is_empty()) {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        false
+    }
+
+    pub(super) async fn resolve_target_dc_for_routing(&self, target_dc: i32) -> (i32, bool) {
+        if target_dc == 0 {
+            return (self.default_dc_for_routing(), true);
+        }
+
+        if self.has_configured_endpoints_for_dc(target_dc).await {
+            return (target_dc, false);
+        }
+
+        (self.default_dc_for_routing(), true)
+    }
+
     pub(super) fn dc_lookup_chain_for_target(&self, target_dc: i32) -> Vec<i32> {
         let mut out = Vec::with_capacity(1);
         if target_dc != 0 {

src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_init.rs

@@ -55,7 +55,11 @@ impl MePool {
                     .iter()
                     .map(|(ip, port)| SocketAddr::new(*ip, *port))
                     .collect();
-                if self.active_writer_count_for_endpoints(&endpoints).await >= target_writers {
+                if self
+                    .active_writer_count_for_dc_endpoints(dc, &endpoints)
+                    .await
+                    >= target_writers
+                {
                     continue;
                 }
                 let pool = Arc::clone(self);
@@ -79,7 +83,7 @@ impl MePool {
                     .iter()
                     .map(|(ip, port)| SocketAddr::new(*ip, *port))
                     .collect();
-                if self.active_writer_count_for_endpoints(&endpoints).await == 0 {
+                if self.active_writer_count_for_dc_endpoints(*dc, &endpoints).await == 0 {
                     missing_dcs.push(*dc);
                 }
             }
@@ -156,7 +160,9 @@ impl MePool {
         let endpoint_set: HashSet<SocketAddr> = endpoints.iter().copied().collect();
 
         loop {
-            let alive = self.active_writer_count_for_endpoints(&endpoint_set).await;
+            let alive = self
+                .active_writer_count_for_dc_endpoints(dc, &endpoint_set)
+                .await;
             if alive >= target_writers {
                 info!(
                     dc = %dc,
@@ -175,7 +181,7 @@ impl MePool {
                 let rng_clone = Arc::clone(&rng);
                 let endpoints_clone = endpoints.clone();
                 join.spawn(async move {
-                    pool.connect_endpoints_round_robin(&endpoints_clone, rng_clone.as_ref())
+                    pool.connect_endpoints_round_robin(dc, &endpoints_clone, rng_clone.as_ref())
                         .await
                 });
             }
@@ -193,7 +199,9 @@ impl MePool {
                 }
             }
 
-            let alive_after = self.active_writer_count_for_endpoints(&endpoint_set).await;
+            let alive_after = self
+                .active_writer_count_for_dc_endpoints(dc, &endpoint_set)
+                .await;
             if alive_after >= target_writers {
                 info!(
                     dc = %dc,

src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_refill.rs

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use tracing::{debug, info, warn};
 use crate::crypto::SecureRandom;
 use crate::network::IpFamily;
 
-use super::pool::{MePool, RefillDcKey, WriterContour};
+use super::pool::{MePool, RefillDcKey, RefillEndpointKey, WriterContour};
 
 const ME_FLAP_UPTIME_THRESHOLD_SECS: u64 = 20;
 const ME_FLAP_QUARANTINE_SECS: u64 = 25;
@@ -82,57 +82,19 @@ impl MePool {
         Vec::new()
     }
 
-    pub(super) async fn has_refill_inflight_for_endpoints(&self, endpoints: &[SocketAddr]) -> bool {
+    pub(super) async fn has_refill_inflight_for_dc_key(&self, key: RefillDcKey) -> bool {
-        if endpoints.is_empty() {
-            return false;
-        }
-
-        {
-            let guard = self.refill_inflight.lock().await;
-            if endpoints.iter().any(|addr| guard.contains(addr)) {
-                return true;
-            }
-        }
-
-        let dc_keys = self.resolve_refill_dc_keys_for_endpoints(endpoints).await;
-        if dc_keys.is_empty() {
-            return false;
-        }
         let guard = self.refill_inflight_dc.lock().await;
-        dc_keys.iter().any(|key| guard.contains(key))
+        guard.contains(&key)
-    }
-
-    async fn resolve_refill_dc_key_for_addr(&self, addr: SocketAddr) -> Option<RefillDcKey> {
-        let family = if addr.is_ipv4() {
-            IpFamily::V4
-        } else {
-            IpFamily::V6
-        };
-        Some(RefillDcKey {
-            dc: self.resolve_dc_for_endpoint(addr).await,
-            family,
-        })
-    }
-
-    async fn resolve_refill_dc_keys_for_endpoints(
-        &self,
-        endpoints: &[SocketAddr],
-    ) -> HashSet<RefillDcKey> {
-        let mut out = HashSet::<RefillDcKey>::new();
-        for addr in endpoints {
-            if let Some(key) = self.resolve_refill_dc_key_for_addr(*addr).await {
-                out.insert(key);
-            }
-        }
-        out
     }
 
     pub(super) async fn connect_endpoints_round_robin(
         self: &Arc<Self>,
+        dc: i32,
         endpoints: &[SocketAddr],
         rng: &SecureRandom,
     ) -> bool {
         self.connect_endpoints_round_robin_with_generation_contour(
+            dc,
             endpoints,
             rng,
             self.current_generation(),
@@ -143,6 +105,7 @@ impl MePool {
 
     pub(super) async fn connect_endpoints_round_robin_with_generation_contour(
         self: &Arc<Self>,
+        dc: i32,
         endpoints: &[SocketAddr],
         rng: &SecureRandom,
         generation: u64,
@@ -157,7 +120,7 @@ impl MePool {
             let idx = (start + offset) % candidates.len();
             let addr = candidates[idx];
             match self
-                .connect_one_with_generation_contour(addr, rng, generation, contour)
+                .connect_one_with_generation_contour_for_dc(addr, rng, generation, contour, dc)
                 .await
             {
                 Ok(()) => return true,
@@ -167,9 +130,8 @@ impl MePool {
         false
     }
 
-    async fn endpoints_for_same_dc(&self, addr: SocketAddr) -> Vec<SocketAddr> {
+    async fn endpoints_for_dc(&self, target_dc: i32) -> Vec<SocketAddr> {
         let mut endpoints = HashSet::<SocketAddr>::new();
-        let target_dc = self.resolve_dc_for_endpoint(addr).await;
 
         if self.decision.ipv4_me {
             let map = self.proxy_map_v4.read().await;
@@ -194,14 +156,14 @@ impl MePool {
         sorted
     }
 
-    async fn refill_writer_after_loss(self: &Arc<Self>, addr: SocketAddr) -> bool {
+    async fn refill_writer_after_loss(self: &Arc<Self>, addr: SocketAddr, writer_dc: i32) -> bool {
         let fast_retries = self.me_reconnect_fast_retry_count.max(1);
         let same_endpoint_quarantined = self.is_endpoint_quarantined(addr).await;
 
         if !same_endpoint_quarantined {
             for attempt in 0..fast_retries {
                 self.stats.increment_me_reconnect_attempt();
-                match self.connect_one(addr, self.rng.as_ref()).await {
+                match self.connect_one_for_dc(addr, writer_dc, self.rng.as_ref()).await {
                     Ok(()) => {
                         self.stats.increment_me_reconnect_success();
                         self.stats.increment_me_writer_restored_same_endpoint_total();
@@ -229,7 +191,7 @@ impl MePool {
             );
         }
 
-        let dc_endpoints = self.endpoints_for_same_dc(addr).await;
+        let dc_endpoints = self.endpoints_for_dc(writer_dc).await;
         if dc_endpoints.is_empty() {
             self.stats.increment_me_refill_failed_total();
             return false;
@@ -238,7 +200,7 @@ impl MePool {
         for attempt in 0..fast_retries {
             self.stats.increment_me_reconnect_attempt();
             if self
-                .connect_endpoints_round_robin(&dc_endpoints, self.rng.as_ref())
+                .connect_endpoints_round_robin(writer_dc, &dc_endpoints, self.rng.as_ref())
                 .await
             {
                 self.stats.increment_me_reconnect_success();
@@ -259,45 +221,69 @@ impl MePool {
     pub(crate) fn trigger_immediate_refill(self: &Arc<Self>, addr: SocketAddr) {
         let pool = Arc::clone(self);
         tokio::spawn(async move {
-            let dc_endpoints = pool.endpoints_for_same_dc(addr).await;
+            let writer_dc = pool.resolve_dc_for_endpoint(addr).await;
-            let dc_keys = pool.resolve_refill_dc_keys_for_endpoints(&dc_endpoints).await;
+            pool.trigger_immediate_refill_for_dc(addr, writer_dc);
+        });
+    }
 
-            {
+    pub(crate) fn trigger_immediate_refill_for_dc(self: &Arc<Self>, addr: SocketAddr, writer_dc: i32) {
+        let endpoint_key = RefillEndpointKey {
+            dc: writer_dc,
+            addr,
+        };
+        let pre_inserted = if let Ok(mut guard) = self.refill_inflight.try_lock() {
+            if !guard.insert(endpoint_key) {
+                self.stats.increment_me_refill_skipped_inflight_total();
+                return;
+            }
+            true
+        } else {
+            false
+        };
+
+        let pool = Arc::clone(self);
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            let dc_endpoints = pool.endpoints_for_dc(writer_dc).await;
+            let dc_key = RefillDcKey {
+                dc: writer_dc,
+                family: if addr.is_ipv4() {
+                    IpFamily::V4
+                } else {
+                    IpFamily::V6
+                },
+            };
+
+            if !pre_inserted {
                 let mut guard = pool.refill_inflight.lock().await;
-                if !guard.insert(addr) {
+                if !guard.insert(endpoint_key) {
                     pool.stats.increment_me_refill_skipped_inflight_total();
                     return;
                 }
             }
 
-            if !dc_keys.is_empty() {
+            {
                 let mut dc_guard = pool.refill_inflight_dc.lock().await;
-                if dc_keys.iter().any(|key| dc_guard.contains(key)) {
+                if dc_guard.contains(&dc_key) {
                     pool.stats.increment_me_refill_skipped_inflight_total();
                     drop(dc_guard);
                     let mut guard = pool.refill_inflight.lock().await;
-                    guard.remove(&addr);
+                    guard.remove(&endpoint_key);
                     return;
                 }
-                dc_guard.extend(dc_keys.iter().copied());
+                dc_guard.insert(dc_key);
             }
 
             pool.stats.increment_me_refill_triggered_total();
-
+            let restored = pool.refill_writer_after_loss(addr, writer_dc).await;
-            let restored = pool.refill_writer_after_loss(addr).await;
             if !restored {
-                warn!(%addr, "ME immediate refill failed");
+                warn!(%addr, dc = writer_dc, "ME immediate refill failed");
             }
 
             let mut guard = pool.refill_inflight.lock().await;
-            guard.remove(&addr);
+            guard.remove(&endpoint_key);
             drop(guard);
-            if !dc_keys.is_empty() {
             let mut dc_guard = pool.refill_inflight_dc.lock().await;
-                for key in &dc_keys {
+            dc_guard.remove(&dc_key);
-                    dc_guard.remove(key);
-                }
-            }
         });
     }
 }

src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_writer.rs

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU8, AtomicU64, Ordering};
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 use std::io::ErrorKind;
 
+use bytes::Bytes;
 use bytes::BytesMut;
 use rand::Rng;
 use tokio::sync::mpsc;
@@ -50,11 +51,22 @@ impl MePool {
     }
 
     pub(crate) async fn connect_one(self: &Arc<Self>, addr: SocketAddr, rng: &SecureRandom) -> Result<()> {
+        let writer_dc = self.resolve_dc_for_endpoint(addr).await;
+        self.connect_one_for_dc(addr, writer_dc, rng).await
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) async fn connect_one_for_dc(
+        self: &Arc<Self>,
+        addr: SocketAddr,
+        writer_dc: i32,
+        rng: &SecureRandom,
+    ) -> Result<()> {
         self.connect_one_with_generation_contour(
             addr,
             rng,
             self.current_generation(),
             WriterContour::Active,
+            writer_dc,
         )
         .await
     }
@@ -65,13 +77,27 @@ impl MePool {
         rng: &SecureRandom,
         generation: u64,
         contour: WriterContour,
+        writer_dc: i32,
+    ) -> Result<()> {
+        self.connect_one_with_generation_contour_for_dc(addr, rng, generation, contour, writer_dc)
+            .await
+    }
+
+    pub(super) async fn connect_one_with_generation_contour_for_dc(
+        self: &Arc<Self>,
+        addr: SocketAddr,
+        rng: &SecureRandom,
+        generation: u64,
+        contour: WriterContour,
+        writer_dc: i32,
     ) -> Result<()> {
         let secret_len = self.proxy_secret.read().await.secret.len();
         if secret_len < 32 {
             return Err(ProxyError::Proxy("proxy-secret too short for ME auth".into()));
         }
 
-        let (stream, _connect_ms, upstream_egress) = self.connect_tcp(addr).await?;
+        let dc_idx = i16::try_from(writer_dc).ok();
+        let (stream, _connect_ms, upstream_egress) = self.connect_tcp(addr, dc_idx).await?;
         let hs = self.handshake_only(stream, addr, upstream_egress, rng).await?;
 
         let writer_id = self.next_writer_id.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
@@ -80,6 +106,7 @@ impl MePool {
         let degraded = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
         let draining = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
         let draining_started_at_epoch_secs = Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0));
+        let drain_deadline_epoch_secs = Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0));
         let allow_drain_fallback = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
         let (tx, mut rx) = mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(4096);
         let mut rpc_writer = RpcWriter {
@@ -111,6 +138,7 @@ impl MePool {
         let writer = MeWriter {
             id: writer_id,
             addr,
+            writer_dc,
             generation,
             contour: contour.clone(),
             created_at: Instant::now(),
@@ -119,6 +147,7 @@ impl MePool {
             degraded: degraded.clone(),
             draining: draining.clone(),
             draining_started_at_epoch_secs: draining_started_at_epoch_secs.clone(),
+            drain_deadline_epoch_secs: drain_deadline_epoch_secs.clone(),
             allow_drain_fallback: allow_drain_fallback.clone(),
         };
         self.writers.write().await.push(writer.clone());
@@ -254,17 +283,47 @@ impl MePool {
                 p.extend_from_slice(&sent_id.to_le_bytes());
                 {
                     let mut tracker = ping_tracker_ping.lock().await;
+                    let now_epoch_ms = std::time::SystemTime::now()
+                        .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+                        .unwrap_or_default()
+                        .as_millis() as u64;
+                    let mut run_cleanup = false;
+                    if let Some(pool) = pool_ping.upgrade() {
+                        let last_cleanup_ms = pool
+                            .ping_tracker_last_cleanup_epoch_ms
+                            .load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+                        if now_epoch_ms.saturating_sub(last_cleanup_ms) >= 30_000
+                            && pool
+                                .ping_tracker_last_cleanup_epoch_ms
+                                .compare_exchange(
+                                    last_cleanup_ms,
+                                    now_epoch_ms,
+                                    Ordering::AcqRel,
+                                    Ordering::Relaxed,
+                                )
+                                .is_ok()
+                        {
+                            run_cleanup = true;
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    if run_cleanup {
                         let before = tracker.len();
                         tracker.retain(|_, (ts, _)| ts.elapsed() < Duration::from_secs(120));
                         let expired = before.saturating_sub(tracker.len());
                         if expired > 0 {
                             stats_ping.increment_me_keepalive_timeout_by(expired as u64);
                         }
+                    }
                     tracker.insert(sent_id, (std::time::Instant::now(), writer_id));
                 }
                 ping_id = ping_id.wrapping_add(1);
                 stats_ping.increment_me_keepalive_sent();
-                if tx_ping.send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(p)).await.is_err() {
+                if tx_ping
+                    .send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(Bytes::from(p)))
+                    .await
+                    .is_err()
+                {
                     stats_ping.increment_me_keepalive_failed();
                     debug!("ME ping failed, removing dead writer");
                     cancel_ping.cancel();
@@ -338,7 +397,11 @@ impl MePool {
                     meta.proto_flags,
                 );
 
-                if tx_signal.send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(payload)).await.is_err() {
+                if tx_signal
+                    .send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(payload))
+                    .await
+                    .is_err()
+                {
                     stats_signal.increment_me_rpc_proxy_req_signal_failed_total();
                     let _ = pool.registry.unregister(conn_id).await;
                     cancel_signal.cancel();
@@ -369,7 +432,7 @@ impl MePool {
                 close_payload.extend_from_slice(&conn_id.to_le_bytes());
 
                 if tx_signal
-                    .send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(close_payload))
+                    .send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(Bytes::from(close_payload)))
                     .await
                     .is_err()
                 {
@@ -404,6 +467,7 @@ impl MePool {
     async fn remove_writer_only(self: &Arc<Self>, writer_id: u64) -> Vec<BoundConn> {
         let mut close_tx: Option<mpsc::Sender<WriterCommand>> = None;
         let mut removed_addr: Option<SocketAddr> = None;
+        let mut removed_dc: Option<i32> = None;
         let mut removed_uptime: Option<Duration> = None;
         let mut trigger_refill = false;
         {
@@ -417,6 +481,7 @@ impl MePool {
                 self.stats.increment_me_writer_removed_total();
                 w.cancel.cancel();
                 removed_addr = Some(w.addr);
+                removed_dc = Some(w.writer_dc);
                 removed_uptime = Some(w.created_at.elapsed());
                 trigger_refill = !was_draining;
                 if trigger_refill {
@@ -431,11 +496,12 @@ impl MePool {
         }
         if trigger_refill
             && let Some(addr) = removed_addr
+            && let Some(writer_dc) = removed_dc
         {
             if let Some(uptime) = removed_uptime {
                 self.maybe_quarantine_flapping_endpoint(addr, uptime).await;
             }
-            self.trigger_immediate_refill(addr);
+            self.trigger_immediate_refill_for_dc(addr, writer_dc);
         }
         self.rtt_stats.lock().await.remove(&writer_id);
         self.registry.writer_lost(writer_id).await
@@ -454,8 +520,14 @@ impl MePool {
                 let already_draining = w.draining.swap(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
                 w.allow_drain_fallback
                     .store(allow_drain_fallback, Ordering::Relaxed);
+                let now_epoch_secs = Self::now_epoch_secs();
                 w.draining_started_at_epoch_secs
-                    .store(Self::now_epoch_secs(), Ordering::Relaxed);
+                    .store(now_epoch_secs, Ordering::Relaxed);
+                let drain_deadline_epoch_secs = timeout
+                    .map(|duration| now_epoch_secs.saturating_add(duration.as_secs()))
+                    .unwrap_or(0);
+                w.drain_deadline_epoch_secs
+                    .store(drain_deadline_epoch_secs, Ordering::Relaxed);
                 if !already_draining {
                     self.stats.increment_pool_drain_active();
                 }
@@ -479,26 +551,6 @@ impl MePool {
             allow_drain_fallback,
             "ME writer marked draining"
         );
-
-        let pool = Arc::downgrade(self);
-        tokio::spawn(async move {
-            let deadline = timeout.map(|t| Instant::now() + t);
-            while let Some(p) = pool.upgrade() {
-                if let Some(deadline_at) = deadline
-                    && Instant::now() >= deadline_at
-                {
-                    warn!(writer_id, "Drain timeout, force-closing");
-                    p.stats.increment_pool_force_close_total();
-                    let _ = p.remove_writer_and_close_clients(writer_id).await;
-                    break;
-                }
-                if p.registry.is_writer_empty(writer_id).await {
-                    let _ = p.remove_writer_only(writer_id).await;
-                    break;
-                }
-                tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
-            }
-        });
     }
 
     pub(crate) async fn mark_writer_draining(self: &Arc<Self>, writer_id: u64) {

src/transport/middle_proxy/reader.rs

@@ -181,7 +181,11 @@ pub(crate) async fn reader_loop(
                 let mut pong = Vec::with_capacity(12);
                 pong.extend_from_slice(&RPC_PONG_U32.to_le_bytes());
                 pong.extend_from_slice(&ping_id.to_le_bytes());
-                if tx.send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(pong)).await.is_err() {
+                if tx
+                    .send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(Bytes::from(pong)))
+                    .await
+                    .is_err()
+                {
                     warn!("PONG send failed");
                     break;
                 }
@@ -222,5 +226,5 @@ async fn send_close_conn(tx: &mpsc::Sender<WriterCommand>, conn_id: u64) {
     p.extend_from_slice(&RPC_CLOSE_CONN_U32.to_le_bytes());
     p.extend_from_slice(&conn_id.to_le_bytes());
 
-    let _ = tx.send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(p)).await;
+    let _ = tx.send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(Bytes::from(p))).await;
 }

src/transport/middle_proxy/registry.rs

@@ -264,6 +264,20 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
         inner.writer_idle_since_epoch_secs.clone()
     }
 
+    pub async fn writer_idle_since_for_writer_ids(
+        &self,
+        writer_ids: &[u64],
+    ) -> HashMap<u64, u64> {
+        let inner = self.inner.read().await;
+        let mut out = HashMap::<u64, u64>::with_capacity(writer_ids.len());
+        for writer_id in writer_ids {
+            if let Some(idle_since) = inner.writer_idle_since_epoch_secs.get(writer_id).copied() {
+                out.insert(*writer_id, idle_since);
+            }
+        }
+        out
+    }
+
     pub(super) async fn writer_activity_snapshot(&self) -> WriterActivitySnapshot {
         let inner = self.inner.read().await;
         let mut bound_clients_by_writer = HashMap::<u64, usize>::new();

src/transport/middle_proxy/send.rs

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::sync::atomic::Ordering;
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 
+use bytes::Bytes;
 use tokio::sync::mpsc::error::TrySendError;
 use tracing::{debug, warn};
 
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ impl MePool {
         let mut hybrid_recovery_round = 0u32;
         let mut hybrid_last_recovery_at: Option<Instant> = None;
         let hybrid_wait_step = self.me_route_no_writer_wait.max(Duration::from_millis(50));
+        let mut hybrid_wait_current = hybrid_wait_step;
 
         loop {
             if let Some(current) = self.registry.get_writer(conn_id).await {
@@ -147,11 +149,14 @@ impl MePool {
                                 target_dc,
                                 &mut hybrid_recovery_round,
                                 &mut hybrid_last_recovery_at,
-                                hybrid_wait_step,
+                                hybrid_wait_current,
                             )
                             .await;
-                            let deadline = Instant::now() + hybrid_wait_step;
+                            let deadline = Instant::now() + hybrid_wait_current;
                             let _ = self.wait_for_writer_until(deadline).await;
+                            hybrid_wait_current =
+                                (hybrid_wait_current.saturating_mul(2))
+                                    .min(Duration::from_millis(400));
                             continue;
                         }
                     }
@@ -223,16 +228,26 @@ impl MePool {
                             target_dc,
                             &mut hybrid_recovery_round,
                             &mut hybrid_last_recovery_at,
-                            hybrid_wait_step,
+                            hybrid_wait_current,
                         )
                         .await;
-                        let deadline = Instant::now() + hybrid_wait_step;
+                        let deadline = Instant::now() + hybrid_wait_current;
                         let _ = self.wait_for_candidate_until(target_dc, deadline).await;
+                        hybrid_wait_current = (hybrid_wait_current.saturating_mul(2))
+                            .min(Duration::from_millis(400));
                         continue;
                     }
                 }
             }
-            let writer_idle_since = self.registry.writer_idle_since_snapshot().await;
+            hybrid_wait_current = hybrid_wait_step;
+            let writer_ids: Vec<u64> = candidate_indices
+                .iter()
+                .map(|idx| writers_snapshot[*idx].id)
+                .collect();
+            let writer_idle_since = self
+                .registry
+                .writer_idle_since_for_writer_ids(&writer_ids)
+                .await;
             let now_epoch_secs = Self::now_epoch_secs();
 
             if self.me_deterministic_writer_sort.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
@@ -507,7 +522,11 @@ impl MePool {
             let mut p = Vec::with_capacity(12);
             p.extend_from_slice(&RPC_CLOSE_EXT_U32.to_le_bytes());
             p.extend_from_slice(&conn_id.to_le_bytes());
-            if w.tx.send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(p)).await.is_err() {
+            if w.tx
+                .send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(Bytes::from(p)))
+                .await
+                .is_err()
+            {
                 debug!("ME close write failed");
                 self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(w.writer_id).await;
             }
@@ -524,7 +543,7 @@ impl MePool {
             let mut p = Vec::with_capacity(12);
             p.extend_from_slice(&RPC_CLOSE_CONN_U32.to_le_bytes());
             p.extend_from_slice(&conn_id.to_le_bytes());
-            match w.tx.try_send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(p)) {
+            match w.tx.try_send(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(Bytes::from(p))) {
                 Ok(()) => {}
                 Err(TrySendError::Full(cmd)) => {
                     let _ = tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_millis(50), w.tx.send(cmd)).await;

src/transport/middle_proxy/wire.rs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use std::net::{IpAddr, Ipv4Addr, SocketAddr};
+use bytes::Bytes;
 
 use crate::protocol::constants::*;
 
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ pub(crate) fn build_proxy_req_payload(
     data: &[u8],
     proxy_tag: Option<&[u8]>,
     proto_flags: u32,
-) -> Vec<u8> {
+) -> Bytes {
     let mut b = Vec::with_capacity(128 + data.len());
 
     b.extend_from_slice(&RPC_PROXY_REQ_U32.to_le_bytes());
@@ -85,7 +86,7 @@ pub(crate) fn build_proxy_req_payload(
     }
 
     b.extend_from_slice(data);
-    b
+    Bytes::from(b)
 }
 
 pub fn proto_flags_for_tag(tag: crate::protocol::constants::ProtoTag, has_proxy_tag: bool) -> u32 {

src/transport/upstream.rs

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 use std::collections::{BTreeSet, HashMap};
 use std::net::{SocketAddr, IpAddr};
 use std::sync::Arc;
-use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicUsize, Ordering};
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, AtomicUsize, Ordering};
 use std::time::Duration;
 use tokio::net::TcpStream;
 use tokio::sync::RwLock;
@@ -237,6 +237,8 @@ pub struct UpstreamManager {
     connect_budget: Duration,
     unhealthy_fail_threshold: u32,
     connect_failfast_hard_errors: bool,
+    no_upstreams_warn_epoch_ms: Arc<AtomicU64>,
+    no_healthy_warn_epoch_ms: Arc<AtomicU64>,
     stats: Arc<Stats>,
 }
 
@@ -262,10 +264,35 @@ impl UpstreamManager {
             connect_budget: Duration::from_millis(connect_budget_ms.max(1)),
             unhealthy_fail_threshold: unhealthy_fail_threshold.max(1),
             connect_failfast_hard_errors,
+            no_upstreams_warn_epoch_ms: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0)),
+            no_healthy_warn_epoch_ms: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0)),
             stats,
         }
     }
 
+    fn now_epoch_ms() -> u64 {
+        std::time::SystemTime::now()
+            .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+            .unwrap_or_default()
+            .as_millis() as u64
+    }
+
+    fn should_emit_warn(last_epoch_ms: &AtomicU64, cooldown_ms: u64) -> bool {
+        let now_epoch_ms = Self::now_epoch_ms();
+        let previous_epoch_ms = last_epoch_ms.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+        if now_epoch_ms.saturating_sub(previous_epoch_ms) < cooldown_ms {
+            return false;
+        }
+        last_epoch_ms
+            .compare_exchange(
+                previous_epoch_ms,
+                now_epoch_ms,
+                Ordering::AcqRel,
+                Ordering::Relaxed,
+            )
+            .is_ok()
+    }
+
     pub fn try_api_snapshot(&self) -> Option<UpstreamApiSnapshot> {
         let guard = self.upstreams.try_read().ok()?;
         let now = std::time::Instant::now();
@@ -533,12 +560,22 @@ impl UpstreamManager {
             .collect();
 
         if filtered_upstreams.is_empty() {
+            if Self::should_emit_warn(
+                self.no_upstreams_warn_epoch_ms.as_ref(),
+                5_000,
+            ) {
                 warn!(scope = scope, "No upstreams available! Using first (direct?)");
+            }
             return None;
         }
 
         if healthy.is_empty() {
+            if Self::should_emit_warn(
+                self.no_healthy_warn_epoch_ms.as_ref(),
+                5_000,
+            ) {
                 warn!(scope = scope, "No healthy upstreams available! Using random.");
+            }
             return Some(filtered_upstreams[rand::rng().gen_range(0..filtered_upstreams.len())]);
         }