diff --git a/client/android/client.go b/client/android/client.go
index 6924d333c..c05246569 100644
--- a/client/android/client.go
+++ b/client/android/client.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ package android
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"slices"
 	"sync"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
@@ -112,7 +113,7 @@ func (c *Client) Run(urlOpener URLOpener, dns *DNSList, dnsReadyListener DnsRead
 	// todo do not throw error in case of cancelled context
 	ctx = internal.CtxInitState(ctx)
 	c.connectClient = internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, cfg, c.recorder)
-	return c.connectClient.RunOnAndroid(c.tunAdapter, c.iFaceDiscover, c.networkChangeListener, dns.items, dnsReadyListener)
+	return c.connectClient.RunOnAndroid(c.tunAdapter, c.iFaceDiscover, c.networkChangeListener, slices.Clone(dns.items), dnsReadyListener)
 }
 
 // RunWithoutLogin we apply this type of run function when the backed has been started without UI (i.e. after reboot).
@@ -138,7 +139,7 @@ func (c *Client) RunWithoutLogin(dns *DNSList, dnsReadyListener DnsReadyListener
 	// todo do not throw error in case of cancelled context
 	ctx = internal.CtxInitState(ctx)
 	c.connectClient = internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, cfg, c.recorder)
-	return c.connectClient.RunOnAndroid(c.tunAdapter, c.iFaceDiscover, c.networkChangeListener, dns.items, dnsReadyListener)
+	return c.connectClient.RunOnAndroid(c.tunAdapter, c.iFaceDiscover, c.networkChangeListener, slices.Clone(dns.items), dnsReadyListener)
 }
 
 // Stop the internal client and free the resources
@@ -235,7 +236,7 @@ func (c *Client) OnUpdatedHostDNS(list *DNSList) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	dnsServer.OnUpdatedHostDNSServer(list.items)
+	dnsServer.OnUpdatedHostDNSServer(slices.Clone(list.items))
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/client/android/dns_list.go b/client/android/dns_list.go
index 76b922220..4c3dff4cc 100644
--- a/client/android/dns_list.go
+++ b/client/android/dns_list.go
@@ -1,23 +1,34 @@
 package android
 
-import "fmt"
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"net/netip"
 
-// DNSList is a wrapper of []string
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns"
+)
+
+// DNSList is a wrapper of []netip.AddrPort with default DNS port
 type DNSList struct {
-	items []string
+	items []netip.AddrPort
 }
 
-// Add new DNS address to the collection
-func (array *DNSList) Add(s string) {
-	array.items = append(array.items, s)
+// Add new DNS address to the collection, returns error if invalid
+func (array *DNSList) Add(s string) error {
+	addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(s)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid DNS address: %s", s)
+	}
+	addrPort := netip.AddrPortFrom(addr.Unmap(), dns.DefaultPort)
+	array.items = append(array.items, addrPort)
+	return nil
 }
 
-// Get return an element of the collection
+// Get return an element of the collection as string
 func (array *DNSList) Get(i int) (string, error) {
 	if i >= len(array.items) || i < 0 {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("out of range")
 	}
-	return array.items[i], nil
+	return array.items[i].Addr().String(), nil
 }
 
 // Size return with the size of the collection
diff --git a/client/android/dns_list_test.go b/client/android/dns_list_test.go
index 93aea78a8..7cb7b33a1 100644
--- a/client/android/dns_list_test.go
+++ b/client/android/dns_list_test.go
@@ -3,20 +3,30 @@ package android
 import "testing"
 
 func TestDNSList_Get(t *testing.T) {
-	l := DNSList{
-		items: make([]string, 1),
+	l := DNSList{}
+
+	// Add a valid DNS address
+	err := l.Add("8.8.8.8")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("unexpected error: %s", err)
 	}
 
-	_, err := l.Get(0)
+	// Test getting valid index
+	addr, err := l.Get(0)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Errorf("invalid error: %s", err)
 	}
+	if addr != "8.8.8.8" {
+		t.Errorf("expected 8.8.8.8, got %s", addr)
+	}
 
+	// Test negative index
 	_, err = l.Get(-1)
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Errorf("expected error but got nil")
 	}
 
+	// Test out of bounds index
 	_, err = l.Get(1)
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Errorf("expected error but got nil")
diff --git a/client/internal/connect.go b/client/internal/connect.go
index d6be285f9..523dcaf1f 100644
--- a/client/internal/connect.go
+++ b/client/internal/connect.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
+	"net/netip"
 	"runtime"
 	"runtime/debug"
 	"strings"
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) RunOnAndroid(
 	tunAdapter device.TunAdapter,
 	iFaceDiscover stdnet.ExternalIFaceDiscover,
 	networkChangeListener listener.NetworkChangeListener,
-	dnsAddresses []string,
+	dnsAddresses []netip.AddrPort,
 	dnsReadyListener dns.ReadyListener,
 ) error {
 	// in case of non Android os these variables will be nil
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/file_parser_unix.go b/client/internal/dns/file_parser_unix.go
index 6e123c94e..8dacb4e51 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/file_parser_unix.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/file_parser_unix.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ const (
 )
 
 type resolvConf struct {
-	nameServers   []string
+	nameServers   []netip.Addr
 	searchDomains []string
 	others        []string
 }
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ func parseBackupResolvConf() (*resolvConf, error) {
 func parseResolvConfFile(resolvConfFile string) (*resolvConf, error) {
 	rconf := &resolvConf{
 		searchDomains: make([]string, 0),
-		nameServers:   make([]string, 0),
+		nameServers:   make([]netip.Addr, 0),
 		others:        make([]string, 0),
 	}
 
@@ -94,7 +94,11 @@ func parseResolvConfFile(resolvConfFile string) (*resolvConf, error) {
 			if len(splitLines) != 2 {
 				continue
 			}
-			rconf.nameServers = append(rconf.nameServers, splitLines[1])
+			if addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(splitLines[1]); err == nil {
+				rconf.nameServers = append(rconf.nameServers, addr.Unmap())
+			} else {
+				log.Warnf("invalid nameserver address in resolv.conf: %s, skipping", splitLines[1])
+			}
 			continue
 		}
 
@@ -104,31 +108,3 @@ func parseResolvConfFile(resolvConfFile string) (*resolvConf, error) {
 	}
 	return rconf, nil
 }
-
-// removeFirstNbNameserver removes the given nameserver from the given file if it is in the first position
-// and writes the file back to the original location
-func removeFirstNbNameserver(filename string, nameserverIP netip.Addr) error {
-	resolvConf, err := parseResolvConfFile(filename)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("parse backup resolv.conf: %w", err)
-	}
-	content, err := os.ReadFile(filename)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("read %s: %w", filename, err)
-	}
-
-	if len(resolvConf.nameServers) > 1 && resolvConf.nameServers[0] == nameserverIP.String() {
-		newContent := strings.Replace(string(content), fmt.Sprintf("nameserver %s\n", nameserverIP), "", 1)
-
-		stat, err := os.Stat(filename)
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("stat %s: %w", filename, err)
-		}
-		if err := os.WriteFile(filename, []byte(newContent), stat.Mode()); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("write %s: %w", filename, err)
-		}
-
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/file_parser_unix_test.go b/client/internal/dns/file_parser_unix_test.go
index 228a708f1..31e0dd5a0 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/file_parser_unix_test.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/file_parser_unix_test.go
@@ -3,13 +3,9 @@
 package dns
 
 import (
-	"net/netip"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
-
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
 func Test_parseResolvConf(t *testing.T) {
@@ -99,9 +95,13 @@ options debug
 				t.Errorf("invalid parse result for search domains, expected: %v, got: %v", testCase.expectedSearch, cfg.searchDomains)
 			}
 
-			ok = compareLists(cfg.nameServers, testCase.expectedNS)
+			nsStrings := make([]string, len(cfg.nameServers))
+			for i, ns := range cfg.nameServers {
+				nsStrings[i] = ns.String()
+			}
+			ok = compareLists(nsStrings, testCase.expectedNS)
 			if !ok {
-				t.Errorf("invalid parse result for ns domains, expected: %v, got: %v", testCase.expectedNS, cfg.nameServers)
+				t.Errorf("invalid parse result for ns domains, expected: %v, got: %v", testCase.expectedNS, nsStrings)
 			}
 
 			ok = compareLists(cfg.others, testCase.expectedOther)
@@ -177,86 +177,3 @@ nameserver 192.168.0.1
 	}
 }
 
-func TestRemoveFirstNbNameserver(t *testing.T) {
-	testCases := []struct {
-		name       string
-		content    string
-		ipToRemove string
-		expected   string
-	}{
-		{
-			name: "Unrelated nameservers with comments and options",
-			content: `# This is a comment
-options rotate
-nameserver 1.1.1.1
-# Another comment
-nameserver 8.8.4.4
-search example.com`,
-			ipToRemove: "9.9.9.9",
-			expected: `# This is a comment
-options rotate
-nameserver 1.1.1.1
-# Another comment
-nameserver 8.8.4.4
-search example.com`,
-		},
-		{
-			name: "First nameserver matches",
-			content: `search example.com
-nameserver 9.9.9.9
-# oof, a comment
-nameserver 8.8.4.4
-options attempts:5`,
-			ipToRemove: "9.9.9.9",
-			expected: `search example.com
-# oof, a comment
-nameserver 8.8.4.4
-options attempts:5`,
-		},
-		{
-			name: "Target IP not the first nameserver",
-			// nolint:dupword
-			content: `# Comment about the first nameserver
-nameserver 8.8.4.4
-# Comment before our target
-nameserver 9.9.9.9
-options timeout:2`,
-			ipToRemove: "9.9.9.9",
-			// nolint:dupword
-			expected: `# Comment about the first nameserver
-nameserver 8.8.4.4
-# Comment before our target
-nameserver 9.9.9.9
-options timeout:2`,
-		},
-		{
-			name: "Only nameserver matches",
-			content: `options debug
-nameserver 9.9.9.9
-search localdomain`,
-			ipToRemove: "9.9.9.9",
-			expected: `options debug
-nameserver 9.9.9.9
-search localdomain`,
-		},
-	}
-
-	for _, tc := range testCases {
-		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			tempDir := t.TempDir()
-			tempFile := filepath.Join(tempDir, "resolv.conf")
-			err := os.WriteFile(tempFile, []byte(tc.content), 0644)
-			assert.NoError(t, err)
-
-			ip, err := netip.ParseAddr(tc.ipToRemove)
-			require.NoError(t, err, "Failed to parse IP address")
-			err = removeFirstNbNameserver(tempFile, ip)
-			assert.NoError(t, err)
-
-			content, err := os.ReadFile(tempFile)
-			assert.NoError(t, err)
-
-			assert.Equal(t, tc.expected, string(content), "The resulting content should match the expected output.")
-		})
-	}
-}
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/file_repair_unix.go b/client/internal/dns/file_repair_unix.go
index 75af411df..0846dbf38 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/file_repair_unix.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/file_repair_unix.go
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ func isNbParamsMissing(nbSearchDomains []string, nbNameserverIP netip.Addr, rCon
 		return true
 	}
 
-	if rConf.nameServers[0] != nbNameserverIP.String() {
+	if rConf.nameServers[0] != nbNameserverIP {
 		return true
 	}
 
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/file_unix.go b/client/internal/dns/file_unix.go
index 423989f72..45e621443 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/file_unix.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/file_unix.go
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ type fileConfigurator struct {
 	repair              *repair
 	originalPerms       os.FileMode
 	nbNameserverIP      netip.Addr
-	originalNameservers []string
+	originalNameservers []netip.Addr
 }
 
 func newFileConfigurator() (*fileConfigurator, error) {
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func (f *fileConfigurator) applyDNSConfig(config HostDNSConfig, stateManager *st
 }
 
 // getOriginalNameservers returns the nameservers that were found in the original resolv.conf
-func (f *fileConfigurator) getOriginalNameservers() []string {
+func (f *fileConfigurator) getOriginalNameservers() []netip.Addr {
 	return f.originalNameservers
 }
 
@@ -128,20 +128,14 @@ func (f *fileConfigurator) backup() error {
 }
 
 func (f *fileConfigurator) restore() error {
-	err := removeFirstNbNameserver(fileDefaultResolvConfBackupLocation, f.nbNameserverIP)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("Failed to remove netbird nameserver from %s on backup restore: %s", fileDefaultResolvConfBackupLocation, err)
-	}
-
-	err = copyFile(fileDefaultResolvConfBackupLocation, defaultResolvConfPath)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := copyFile(fileDefaultResolvConfBackupLocation, defaultResolvConfPath); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("restoring %s from %s: %w", defaultResolvConfPath, fileDefaultResolvConfBackupLocation, err)
 	}
 
 	return os.RemoveAll(fileDefaultResolvConfBackupLocation)
 }
 
-func (f *fileConfigurator) restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(storedDNSAddress *netip.Addr) error {
+func (f *fileConfigurator) restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(storedDNSAddress netip.Addr) error {
 	resolvConf, err := parseDefaultResolvConf()
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("parse current resolv.conf: %w", err)
@@ -152,16 +146,9 @@ func (f *fileConfigurator) restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(storedDNSAddress *netip.Add
 		return restoreResolvConfFile()
 	}
 
-	currentDNSAddress, err := netip.ParseAddr(resolvConf.nameServers[0])
-	// not a valid first nameserver -> restore
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("restoring unclean shutdown: parse dns address %s failed: %s", resolvConf.nameServers[0], err)
-		return restoreResolvConfFile()
-	}
-
 	// current address is still netbird's non-available dns address -> restore
-	// comparing parsed addresses only, to remove ambiguity
-	if currentDNSAddress.String() == storedDNSAddress.String() {
+	currentDNSAddress := resolvConf.nameServers[0]
+	if currentDNSAddress == storedDNSAddress {
 		return restoreResolvConfFile()
 	}
 
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/host_darwin.go b/client/internal/dns/host_darwin.go
index 820cf9029..852dfef48 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/host_darwin.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/host_darwin.go
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) getSystemDNSSettings() (SystemDNSSettings, error) {
 		} else if inServerAddressesArray {
 			address := strings.Split(line, " : ")[1]
 			if ip, err := netip.ParseAddr(address); err == nil && ip.Is4() {
-				dnsSettings.ServerIP = ip
+				dnsSettings.ServerIP = ip.Unmap()
 				inServerAddressesArray = false // Stop reading after finding the first IPv4 address
 			}
 		}
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) getSystemDNSSettings() (SystemDNSSettings, error) {
 	}
 
 	// default to 53 port
-	dnsSettings.ServerPort = defaultPort
+	dnsSettings.ServerPort = DefaultPort
 
 	return dnsSettings, nil
 }
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/host_unix.go b/client/internal/dns/host_unix.go
index 297d50822..422fed4e5 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/host_unix.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/host_unix.go
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ func (t osManagerType) String() string {
 
 type restoreHostManager interface {
 	hostManager
-	restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(*netip.Addr) error
+	restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(netip.Addr) error
 }
 
 func newHostManager(wgInterface string) (hostManager, error) {
@@ -130,8 +130,9 @@ func checkStub() bool {
 		return true
 	}
 
+	systemdResolvedAddr := netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{127, 0, 0, 53}) // 127.0.0.53
 	for _, ns := range rConf.nameServers {
-		if ns == "127.0.0.53" {
+		if ns == systemdResolvedAddr {
 			return true
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/host_windows.go b/client/internal/dns/host_windows.go
index 648a58207..829d83a04 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/host_windows.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/host_windows.go
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ func (r *registryConfigurator) addDNSSetupForAll(ip netip.Addr) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("adding dns setup for all failed: %w", err)
 	}
 	r.routingAll = true
-	log.Infof("configured %s:53 as main DNS forwarder for this peer", ip)
+	log.Infof("configured %s:%d as main DNS forwarder for this peer", ip, DefaultPort)
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/hosts_dns_holder.go b/client/internal/dns/hosts_dns_holder.go
index 2601af9c8..980d917a7 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/hosts_dns_holder.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/hosts_dns_holder.go
@@ -1,38 +1,31 @@
 package dns
 
 import (
-	"fmt"
 	"net/netip"
 	"sync"
-
-	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
 type hostsDNSHolder struct {
-	unprotectedDNSList map[string]struct{}
+	unprotectedDNSList map[netip.AddrPort]struct{}
 	mutex              sync.RWMutex
 }
 
 func newHostsDNSHolder() *hostsDNSHolder {
 	return &hostsDNSHolder{
-		unprotectedDNSList: make(map[string]struct{}),
+		unprotectedDNSList: make(map[netip.AddrPort]struct{}),
 	}
 }
 
-func (h *hostsDNSHolder) set(list []string) {
+func (h *hostsDNSHolder) set(list []netip.AddrPort) {
 	h.mutex.Lock()
-	h.unprotectedDNSList = make(map[string]struct{})
-	for _, dns := range list {
-		dnsAddr, err := h.normalizeAddress(dns)
-		if err != nil {
-			continue
-		}
-		h.unprotectedDNSList[dnsAddr] = struct{}{}
+	h.unprotectedDNSList = make(map[netip.AddrPort]struct{})
+	for _, addrPort := range list {
+		h.unprotectedDNSList[addrPort] = struct{}{}
 	}
 	h.mutex.Unlock()
 }
 
-func (h *hostsDNSHolder) get() map[string]struct{} {
+func (h *hostsDNSHolder) get() map[netip.AddrPort]struct{} {
 	h.mutex.RLock()
 	l := h.unprotectedDNSList
 	h.mutex.RUnlock()
@@ -40,24 +33,10 @@ func (h *hostsDNSHolder) get() map[string]struct{} {
 }
 
 //nolint:unused
-func (h *hostsDNSHolder) isContain(upstream string) bool {
+func (h *hostsDNSHolder) contains(upstream netip.AddrPort) bool {
 	h.mutex.RLock()
 	defer h.mutex.RUnlock()
 
 	_, ok := h.unprotectedDNSList[upstream]
 	return ok
 }
-
-func (h *hostsDNSHolder) normalizeAddress(addr string) (string, error) {
-	a, err := netip.ParseAddr(addr)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("invalid upstream IP address: %s, error: %s", addr, err)
-		return "", err
-	}
-
-	if a.Is4() {
-		return fmt.Sprintf("%s:53", addr), nil
-	} else {
-		return fmt.Sprintf("[%s]:53", addr), nil
-	}
-}
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/mock_server.go b/client/internal/dns/mock_server.go
index 9e0d06399..d160fa99a 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/mock_server.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/mock_server.go
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func (m *MockServer) DnsIP() netip.Addr {
 	return netip.MustParseAddr("100.10.254.255")
 }
 
-func (m *MockServer) OnUpdatedHostDNSServer(strings []string) {
+func (m *MockServer) OnUpdatedHostDNSServer(addrs []netip.AddrPort) {
 	// TODO implement me
 	panic("implement me")
 }
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/network_manager_unix.go b/client/internal/dns/network_manager_unix.go
index 5459bc2d7..e4ccc8cbd 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/network_manager_unix.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/network_manager_unix.go
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ func (n *networkManagerDbusConfigurator) deleteConnectionSettings() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (n *networkManagerDbusConfigurator) restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(*netip.Addr) error {
+func (n *networkManagerDbusConfigurator) restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(netip.Addr) error {
 	if err := n.restoreHostDNS(); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("restoring dns via network-manager: %w", err)
 	}
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/resolvconf_unix.go b/client/internal/dns/resolvconf_unix.go
index 6080c1d2c..8cdea562b 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/resolvconf_unix.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/resolvconf_unix.go
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ type resolvconf struct {
 	implType  resolvconfType
 
 	originalSearchDomains []string
-	originalNameServers   []string
+	originalNameServers   []netip.Addr
 	othersConfigs         []string
 }
 
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ func (r *resolvconf) applyDNSConfig(config HostDNSConfig, stateManager *stateman
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (r *resolvconf) getOriginalNameservers() []string {
+func (r *resolvconf) getOriginalNameservers() []netip.Addr {
 	return r.originalNameServers
 }
 
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ func (r *resolvconf) applyConfig(content bytes.Buffer) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (r *resolvconf) restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(*netip.Addr) error {
+func (r *resolvconf) restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(netip.Addr) error {
 	if err := r.restoreHostDNS(); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("restoring dns for interface %s: %w", r.ifaceName, err)
 	}
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/server.go b/client/internal/dns/server.go
index cd0757dc1..ce75369c8 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/server.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/server.go
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ type Server interface {
 	Stop()
 	DnsIP() netip.Addr
 	UpdateDNSServer(serial uint64, update nbdns.Config) error
-	OnUpdatedHostDNSServer(strings []string)
+	OnUpdatedHostDNSServer(addrs []netip.AddrPort)
 	SearchDomains() []string
 	ProbeAvailability()
 }
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ type nsGroupsByDomain struct {
 // hostManagerWithOriginalNS extends the basic hostManager interface
 type hostManagerWithOriginalNS interface {
 	hostManager
-	getOriginalNameservers() []string
+	getOriginalNameservers() []netip.Addr
 }
 
 // DefaultServer dns server object
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ func NewDefaultServer(
 func NewDefaultServerPermanentUpstream(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	wgInterface WGIface,
-	hostsDnsList []string,
+	hostsDnsList []netip.AddrPort,
 	config nbdns.Config,
 	listener listener.NetworkChangeListener,
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status,
@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@ func NewDefaultServerPermanentUpstream(
 ) *DefaultServer {
 	log.Debugf("host dns address list is: %v", hostsDnsList)
 	ds := newDefaultServer(ctx, wgInterface, NewServiceViaMemory(wgInterface), statusRecorder, nil, disableSys)
+
 	ds.hostsDNSHolder.set(hostsDnsList)
 	ds.permanent = true
 	ds.addHostRootZone()
@@ -340,7 +341,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) disableDNS() error {
 
 // OnUpdatedHostDNSServer update the DNS servers addresses for root zones
 // It will be applied if the mgm server do not enforce DNS settings for root zone
-func (s *DefaultServer) OnUpdatedHostDNSServer(hostsDnsList []string) {
+func (s *DefaultServer) OnUpdatedHostDNSServer(hostsDnsList []netip.AddrPort) {
 	s.hostsDNSHolder.set(hostsDnsList)
 
 	// Check if there's any root handler
@@ -461,7 +462,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) applyConfiguration(update nbdns.Config) error {
 
 	s.currentConfig = dnsConfigToHostDNSConfig(update, s.service.RuntimeIP(), s.service.RuntimePort())
 
-	if s.service.RuntimePort() != defaultPort && !s.hostManager.supportCustomPort() {
+	if s.service.RuntimePort() != DefaultPort && !s.hostManager.supportCustomPort() {
 		log.Warnf("the DNS manager of this peer doesn't support custom port. Disabling primary DNS setup. " +
 			"Learn more at: https://docs.netbird.io/how-to/manage-dns-in-your-network#local-resolver")
 		s.currentConfig.RouteAll = false
@@ -581,14 +582,13 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) registerFallback(config HostDNSConfig) {
 	}
 
 	for _, ns := range originalNameservers {
-		if ns == config.ServerIP.String() {
+		if ns == config.ServerIP {
 			log.Debugf("skipping original nameserver %s as it is the same as the server IP %s", ns, config.ServerIP)
 			continue
 		}
 
-		ns = formatAddr(ns, defaultPort)
-
-		handler.upstreamServers = append(handler.upstreamServers, ns)
+		addrPort := netip.AddrPortFrom(ns, DefaultPort)
+		handler.upstreamServers = append(handler.upstreamServers, addrPort)
 	}
 	handler.deactivate = func(error) { /* always active */ }
 	handler.reactivate = func() { /* always active */ }
@@ -695,7 +695,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) createHandlersForDomainGroup(domainGroup nsGroupsByDomai
 					ns.IP.String(), ns.NSType.String(), nbdns.UDPNameServerType.String())
 				continue
 			}
-			handler.upstreamServers = append(handler.upstreamServers, getNSHostPort(ns))
+			handler.upstreamServers = append(handler.upstreamServers, ns.AddrPort())
 		}
 
 		if len(handler.upstreamServers) == 0 {
@@ -770,18 +770,6 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) updateMux(muxUpdates []handlerWrapper) {
 	s.dnsMuxMap = muxUpdateMap
 }
 
-func getNSHostPort(ns nbdns.NameServer) string {
-	return formatAddr(ns.IP.String(), ns.Port)
-}
-
-// formatAddr formats a nameserver address with port, handling IPv6 addresses properly
-func formatAddr(address string, port int) string {
-	if ip, err := netip.ParseAddr(address); err == nil && ip.Is6() {
-		return fmt.Sprintf("[%s]:%d", address, port)
-	}
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", address, port)
-}
-
 // upstreamCallbacks returns two functions, the first one is used to deactivate
 // the upstream resolver from the configuration, the second one is used to
 // reactivate it. Not allowed to call reactivate before deactivate.
@@ -879,10 +867,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) addHostRootZone() {
 		return
 	}
 
-	handler.upstreamServers = make([]string, 0)
-	for k := range hostDNSServers {
-		handler.upstreamServers = append(handler.upstreamServers, k)
-	}
+	handler.upstreamServers = maps.Keys(hostDNSServers)
 	handler.deactivate = func(error) {}
 	handler.reactivate = func() {}
 
@@ -893,9 +878,9 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) updateNSGroupStates(groups []*nbdns.NameServerGroup) {
 	var states []peer.NSGroupState
 
 	for _, group := range groups {
-		var servers []string
+		var servers []netip.AddrPort
 		for _, ns := range group.NameServers {
-			servers = append(servers, fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", ns.IP, ns.Port))
+			servers = append(servers, ns.AddrPort())
 		}
 
 		state := peer.NSGroupState{
@@ -927,7 +912,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) updateNSState(nsGroup *nbdns.NameServerGroup, err error,
 func generateGroupKey(nsGroup *nbdns.NameServerGroup) string {
 	var servers []string
 	for _, ns := range nsGroup.NameServers {
-		servers = append(servers, fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", ns.IP, ns.Port))
+		servers = append(servers, ns.AddrPort().String())
 	}
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%v_%v", servers, nsGroup.Domains)
 }
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/server_test.go b/client/internal/dns/server_test.go
index 3ac1b6eb1..91543da8f 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/server_test.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/server_test.go
@@ -97,9 +97,9 @@ func init() {
 }
 
 func generateDummyHandler(domain string, servers []nbdns.NameServer) *upstreamResolverBase {
-	var srvs []string
+	var srvs []netip.AddrPort
 	for _, srv := range servers {
-		srvs = append(srvs, getNSHostPort(srv))
+		srvs = append(srvs, srv.AddrPort())
 	}
 	return &upstreamResolverBase{
 		domain:          domain,
@@ -705,7 +705,7 @@ func TestDNSPermanent_updateHostDNS_emptyUpstream(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	defer wgIFace.Close()
 
-	var dnsList []string
+	var dnsList []netip.AddrPort
 	dnsConfig := nbdns.Config{}
 	dnsServer := NewDefaultServerPermanentUpstream(context.Background(), wgIFace, dnsList, dnsConfig, nil, peer.NewRecorder("mgm"), false)
 	err = dnsServer.Initialize()
@@ -715,7 +715,8 @@ func TestDNSPermanent_updateHostDNS_emptyUpstream(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	defer dnsServer.Stop()
 
-	dnsServer.OnUpdatedHostDNSServer([]string{"8.8.8.8"})
+	addrPort := netip.MustParseAddrPort("8.8.8.8:53")
+	dnsServer.OnUpdatedHostDNSServer([]netip.AddrPort{addrPort})
 
 	resolver := newDnsResolver(dnsServer.service.RuntimeIP(), dnsServer.service.RuntimePort())
 	_, err = resolver.LookupHost(context.Background(), "netbird.io")
@@ -731,7 +732,8 @@ func TestDNSPermanent_updateUpstream(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	defer wgIFace.Close()
 	dnsConfig := nbdns.Config{}
-	dnsServer := NewDefaultServerPermanentUpstream(context.Background(), wgIFace, []string{"8.8.8.8"}, dnsConfig, nil, peer.NewRecorder("mgm"), false)
+	addrPort := netip.MustParseAddrPort("8.8.8.8:53")
+	dnsServer := NewDefaultServerPermanentUpstream(context.Background(), wgIFace, []netip.AddrPort{addrPort}, dnsConfig, nil, peer.NewRecorder("mgm"), false)
 	err = dnsServer.Initialize()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Errorf("failed to initialize DNS server: %v", err)
@@ -823,7 +825,8 @@ func TestDNSPermanent_matchOnly(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	defer wgIFace.Close()
 	dnsConfig := nbdns.Config{}
-	dnsServer := NewDefaultServerPermanentUpstream(context.Background(), wgIFace, []string{"8.8.8.8"}, dnsConfig, nil, peer.NewRecorder("mgm"), false)
+	addrPort := netip.MustParseAddrPort("8.8.8.8:53")
+	dnsServer := NewDefaultServerPermanentUpstream(context.Background(), wgIFace, []netip.AddrPort{addrPort}, dnsConfig, nil, peer.NewRecorder("mgm"), false)
 	err = dnsServer.Initialize()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Errorf("failed to initialize DNS server: %v", err)
@@ -2053,56 +2056,3 @@ func TestLocalResolverPriorityConstants(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, PriorityLocal, localMuxUpdates[0].priority, "Local handler should use PriorityLocal")
 	assert.Equal(t, "local.example.com", localMuxUpdates[0].domain)
 }
-
-func TestFormatAddr(t *testing.T) {
-	tests := []struct {
-		name     string
-		address  string
-		port     int
-		expected string
-	}{
-		{
-			name:     "IPv4 address",
-			address:  "8.8.8.8",
-			port:     53,
-			expected: "8.8.8.8:53",
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "IPv4 address with custom port",
-			address:  "1.1.1.1",
-			port:     5353,
-			expected: "1.1.1.1:5353",
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "IPv6 address",
-			address:  "fd78:94bf:7df8::1",
-			port:     53,
-			expected: "[fd78:94bf:7df8::1]:53",
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "IPv6 address with custom port",
-			address:  "2001:db8::1",
-			port:     5353,
-			expected: "[2001:db8::1]:5353",
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "IPv6 localhost",
-			address:  "::1",
-			port:     53,
-			expected: "[::1]:53",
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "Invalid address treated as hostname",
-			address:  "dns.example.com",
-			port:     53,
-			expected: "dns.example.com:53",
-		},
-	}
-
-	for _, tt := range tests {
-		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			result := formatAddr(tt.address, tt.port)
-			assert.Equal(t, tt.expected, result)
-		})
-	}
-}
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/service.go b/client/internal/dns/service.go
index ab8238a61..6a76c53e3 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/service.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/service.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	defaultPort = 53
+	DefaultPort = 53
 )
 
 type service interface {
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/service_listener.go b/client/internal/dns/service_listener.go
index abd2f4f05..806559444 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/service_listener.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/service_listener.go
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ func (s *serviceViaListener) RuntimePort() int {
 	defer s.listenerFlagLock.Unlock()
 
 	if s.ebpfService != nil {
-		return defaultPort
+		return DefaultPort
 	} else {
 		return int(s.listenPort)
 	}
@@ -148,9 +148,9 @@ func (s *serviceViaListener) evalListenAddress() (netip.Addr, uint16, error) {
 		return s.customAddr.Addr(), s.customAddr.Port(), nil
 	}
 
-	ip, ok := s.testFreePort(defaultPort)
+	ip, ok := s.testFreePort(DefaultPort)
 	if ok {
-		return ip, defaultPort, nil
+		return ip, DefaultPort, nil
 	}
 
 	ebpfSrv, port, ok := s.tryToUseeBPF()
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/service_memory.go b/client/internal/dns/service_memory.go
index 9f55838bf..89d637686 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/service_memory.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/service_memory.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func NewServiceViaMemory(wgIface WGIface) *ServiceViaMemory {
 		dnsMux:      dns.NewServeMux(),
 
 		runtimeIP:   lastIP,
-		runtimePort: defaultPort,
+		runtimePort: DefaultPort,
 	}
 	return s
 }
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/systemd_linux.go b/client/internal/dns/systemd_linux.go
index a58747d5b..0e8a53a63 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/systemd_linux.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/systemd_linux.go
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ func (s *systemdDbusConfigurator) callLinkMethod(method string, value any) error
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *systemdDbusConfigurator) restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(*netip.Addr) error {
+func (s *systemdDbusConfigurator) restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(netip.Addr) error {
 	if err := s.restoreHostDNS(); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("restoring dns via systemd: %w", err)
 	}
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/unclean_shutdown_unix.go b/client/internal/dns/unclean_shutdown_unix.go
index 2e786f484..dc44aefaf 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/unclean_shutdown_unix.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/unclean_shutdown_unix.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func (s *ShutdownState) Cleanup() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("create previous host manager: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	if err := manager.restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(&s.DNSAddress); err != nil {
+	if err := manager.restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(s.DNSAddress); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("restore unclean shutdown dns: %w", err)
 	}
 
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/upstream.go b/client/internal/dns/upstream.go
index c44d36599..f5d0e775f 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/upstream.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/upstream.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
+	"net/netip"
 	"slices"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ type upstreamResolverBase struct {
 	ctx              context.Context
 	cancel           context.CancelFunc
 	upstreamClient   upstreamClient
-	upstreamServers  []string
+	upstreamServers  []netip.AddrPort
 	domain           string
 	disabled         bool
 	failsCount       atomic.Int32
@@ -79,17 +80,20 @@ func newUpstreamResolverBase(ctx context.Context, statusRecorder *peer.Status, d
 
 // String returns a string representation of the upstream resolver
 func (u *upstreamResolverBase) String() string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("upstream %v", u.upstreamServers)
+	return fmt.Sprintf("upstream %s", u.upstreamServers)
 }
 
 // ID returns the unique handler ID
 func (u *upstreamResolverBase) ID() types.HandlerID {
 	servers := slices.Clone(u.upstreamServers)
-	slices.Sort(servers)
+	slices.SortFunc(servers, func(a, b netip.AddrPort) int { return a.Compare(b) })
 
 	hash := sha256.New()
 	hash.Write([]byte(u.domain + ":"))
-	hash.Write([]byte(strings.Join(servers, ",")))
+	for _, s := range servers {
+		hash.Write([]byte(s.String()))
+		hash.Write([]byte("|"))
+	}
 	return types.HandlerID("upstream-" + hex.EncodeToString(hash.Sum(nil)[:8]))
 }
 
@@ -130,7 +134,7 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 		func() {
 			ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(u.ctx, u.upstreamTimeout)
 			defer cancel()
-			rm, t, err = u.upstreamClient.exchange(ctx, upstream, r)
+			rm, t, err = u.upstreamClient.exchange(ctx, upstream.String(), r)
 		}()
 
 		if err != nil {
@@ -197,7 +201,7 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) checkUpstreamFails(err error) {
 		proto.SystemEvent_DNS,
 		"All upstream servers failed (fail count exceeded)",
 		"Unable to reach one or more DNS servers. This might affect your ability to connect to some services.",
-		map[string]string{"upstreams": strings.Join(u.upstreamServers, ", ")},
+		map[string]string{"upstreams": u.upstreamServersString()},
 		// TODO add domain meta
 	)
 }
@@ -258,7 +262,7 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) ProbeAvailability() {
 			proto.SystemEvent_DNS,
 			"All upstream servers failed (probe failed)",
 			"Unable to reach one or more DNS servers. This might affect your ability to connect to some services.",
-			map[string]string{"upstreams": strings.Join(u.upstreamServers, ", ")},
+			map[string]string{"upstreams": u.upstreamServersString()},
 		)
 	}
 }
@@ -278,7 +282,7 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) waitUntilResponse() {
 	operation := func() error {
 		select {
 		case <-u.ctx.Done():
-			return backoff.Permanent(fmt.Errorf("exiting upstream retry loop for upstreams %s: parent context has been canceled", u.upstreamServers))
+			return backoff.Permanent(fmt.Errorf("exiting upstream retry loop for upstreams %s: parent context has been canceled", u.upstreamServersString()))
 		default:
 		}
 
@@ -291,7 +295,7 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) waitUntilResponse() {
 			}
 		}
 
-		log.Tracef("checking connectivity with upstreams %s failed. Retrying in %s", u.upstreamServers, exponentialBackOff.NextBackOff())
+		log.Tracef("checking connectivity with upstreams %s failed. Retrying in %s", u.upstreamServersString(), exponentialBackOff.NextBackOff())
 		return fmt.Errorf("upstream check call error")
 	}
 
@@ -301,7 +305,7 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) waitUntilResponse() {
 		return
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("upstreams %s are responsive again. Adding them back to system", u.upstreamServers)
+	log.Infof("upstreams %s are responsive again. Adding them back to system", u.upstreamServersString())
 	u.failsCount.Store(0)
 	u.successCount.Add(1)
 	u.reactivate()
@@ -331,13 +335,21 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) disable(err error) {
 	go u.waitUntilResponse()
 }
 
-func (u *upstreamResolverBase) testNameserver(server string, timeout time.Duration) error {
+func (u *upstreamResolverBase) upstreamServersString() string {
+	var servers []string
+	for _, server := range u.upstreamServers {
+		servers = append(servers, server.String())
+	}
+	return strings.Join(servers, ", ")
+}
+
+func (u *upstreamResolverBase) testNameserver(server netip.AddrPort, timeout time.Duration) error {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(u.ctx, timeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
 	r := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion(testRecord, dns.TypeSOA)
 
-	_, _, err := u.upstreamClient.exchange(ctx, server, r)
+	_, _, err := u.upstreamClient.exchange(ctx, server.String(), r)
 	return err
 }
 
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/upstream_android.go b/client/internal/dns/upstream_android.go
index e7db581b1..ddbf84ae4 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/upstream_android.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/upstream_android.go
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@ func (u *upstreamResolver) exchangeWithoutVPN(ctx context.Context, upstream stri
 }
 
 func (u *upstreamResolver) isLocalResolver(upstream string) bool {
-	if u.hostsDNSHolder.isContain(upstream) {
-		return true
+	if addrPort, err := netip.ParseAddrPort(upstream); err == nil {
+		return u.hostsDNSHolder.contains(addrPort)
 	}
 	return false
 }
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/upstream_ios.go b/client/internal/dns/upstream_ios.go
index 648cab176..96b8bbb0f 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/upstream_ios.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/upstream_ios.go
@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverIOS) exchange(ctx context.Context, upstream string, r *
 	upstreamIP, err := netip.ParseAddr(upstreamHost)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Warnf("failed to parse upstream host %s: %s", upstreamHost, err)
+	} else {
+		upstreamIP = upstreamIP.Unmap()
 	}
 	if u.lNet.Contains(upstreamIP) || upstreamIP.IsPrivate() {
 		log.Debugf("using private client to query upstream: %s", upstream)
diff --git a/client/internal/dns/upstream_test.go b/client/internal/dns/upstream_test.go
index e440995d9..51d870e2a 100644
--- a/client/internal/dns/upstream_test.go
+++ b/client/internal/dns/upstream_test.go
@@ -59,7 +59,14 @@ func TestUpstreamResolver_ServeDNS(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Run(testCase.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.TODO())
 			resolver, _ := newUpstreamResolver(ctx, "", netip.Addr{}, netip.Prefix{}, nil, nil, ".")
-			resolver.upstreamServers = testCase.InputServers
+			// Convert test servers to netip.AddrPort
+			var servers []netip.AddrPort
+			for _, server := range testCase.InputServers {
+				if addrPort, err := netip.ParseAddrPort(server); err == nil {
+					servers = append(servers, netip.AddrPortFrom(addrPort.Addr().Unmap(), addrPort.Port()))
+				}
+			}
+			resolver.upstreamServers = servers
 			resolver.upstreamTimeout = testCase.timeout
 			if testCase.cancelCTX {
 				cancel()
@@ -128,7 +135,8 @@ func TestUpstreamResolver_DeactivationReactivation(t *testing.T) {
 		reactivatePeriod: reactivatePeriod,
 		failsTillDeact:   failsTillDeact,
 	}
-	resolver.upstreamServers = []string{"0.0.0.0:-1"}
+	addrPort, _ := netip.ParseAddrPort("0.0.0.0:1") // Use valid port for parsing, test will still fail on connection
+	resolver.upstreamServers = []netip.AddrPort{netip.AddrPortFrom(addrPort.Addr().Unmap(), addrPort.Port())}
 	resolver.failsTillDeact = 0
 	resolver.reactivatePeriod = time.Microsecond * 100
 
diff --git a/client/internal/mobile_dependency.go b/client/internal/mobile_dependency.go
index 4ac0fc141..7c95e2b99 100644
--- a/client/internal/mobile_dependency.go
+++ b/client/internal/mobile_dependency.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package internal
 
 import (
+	"net/netip"
+
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/listener"
@@ -13,7 +15,7 @@ type MobileDependency struct {
 	TunAdapter            device.TunAdapter
 	IFaceDiscover         stdnet.ExternalIFaceDiscover
 	NetworkChangeListener listener.NetworkChangeListener
-	HostDNSAddresses      []string
+	HostDNSAddresses      []netip.AddrPort
 	DnsReadyListener      dns.ReadyListener
 
 	//	iOS only
diff --git a/client/internal/peer/status.go b/client/internal/peer/status.go
index bd4e63357..239cce7e0 100644
--- a/client/internal/peer/status.go
+++ b/client/internal/peer/status.go
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ type RosenpassState struct {
 // whether it's enabled, and the last error message encountered during probing.
 type NSGroupState struct {
 	ID      string
-	Servers []string
+	Servers []netip.AddrPort
 	Domains []string
 	Enabled bool
 	Error   error
diff --git a/client/server/server.go b/client/server/server.go
index fadf2e7fc..daef7d02b 100644
--- a/client/server/server.go
+++ b/client/server/server.go
@@ -1197,8 +1197,14 @@ func toProtoFullStatus(fullStatus peer.FullStatus) *proto.FullStatus {
 		if dnsState.Error != nil {
 			err = dnsState.Error.Error()
 		}
+
+		var servers []string
+		for _, server := range dnsState.Servers {
+			servers = append(servers, server.String())
+		}
+
 		pbDnsState := &proto.NSGroupState{
-			Servers: dnsState.Servers,
+			Servers: servers,
 			Domains: dnsState.Domains,
 			Enabled: dnsState.Enabled,
 			Error:   err,
diff --git a/dns/nameserver.go b/dns/nameserver.go
index bb904b165..81c616c50 100644
--- a/dns/nameserver.go
+++ b/dns/nameserver.go
@@ -102,6 +102,11 @@ func (n *NameServer) IsEqual(other *NameServer) bool {
 		other.Port == n.Port
 }
 
+// AddrPort returns the nameserver as a netip.AddrPort
+func (n *NameServer) AddrPort() netip.AddrPort {
+	return netip.AddrPortFrom(n.IP, uint16(n.Port))
+}
+
 // ParseNameServerURL parses a nameserver url in the format <type>://<ip>:<port>, e.g., udp://1.1.1.1:53
 func ParseNameServerURL(nsURL string) (NameServer, error) {
 	parsedURL, err := url.Parse(nsURL)