diff --git a/crates/ecstore/src/cluster/rpc/network_probe.rs b/crates/ecstore/src/cluster/rpc/network_probe.rs
index a3c8e9882..b4e58baad 100644
--- a/crates/ecstore/src/cluster/rpc/network_probe.rs
+++ b/crates/ecstore/src/cluster/rpc/network_probe.rs
@@ -14,13 +14,18 @@
 
 //! Bounded, authenticated inter-node network probes.
 
-use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+use std::future::Future;
+use std::pin::Pin;
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, Ordering};
+use std::time::Duration;
 
 use bytes::Bytes;
 use rustfs_protos::ChannelClass;
 use rustfs_protos::models::{PingBody, PingBodyBuilder};
 use rustfs_protos::proto_gen::node_service::{PingRequest, PingResponse};
 use thiserror::Error;
+use tokio::time::Instant;
 use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 use tonic::{Code, Request};
 
@@ -33,6 +38,40 @@ pub const MAX_NETWORK_PROBE_DURATION: Duration = Duration::from_secs(30);
 const PING_PROTOCOL_VERSION: u64 = 1;
 const LATENCY_PAYLOAD: &[u8] = b"network-probe-latency-v1";
 const EXPECTED_RESPONSE_PAYLOAD: &[u8] = b"hello, caller";
+const DIAGNOSTIC_BYTES_PER_SECOND: u64 = 1_048_576;
+const DIAGNOSTIC_CHUNK_BYTES: u64 = 16_384;
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+struct DiagnosticPacing {
+    started: Instant,
+    deadline: Instant,
+    charged_bytes: AtomicU64,
+}
+
+impl DiagnosticPacing {
+    fn reserve(&self, bytes: u64) -> Result<Instant, NetworkPeerProbeError> {
+        if bytes == 0 {
+            return Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded);
+        }
+        // Reservation is never refunded: a failed or dropped RPC may have sent some payload.
+        let previous = self
+            .charged_bytes
+            .fetch_update(Ordering::AcqRel, Ordering::Acquire, |charged| {
+                charged.checked_add(bytes).filter(|total| *total <= MAX_NETWORK_PROBE_BYTES)
+            })
+            .map_err(|_| NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded)?;
+        let charged = previous.checked_add(bytes).ok_or(NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded)?;
+        let millis = u128::from(charged)
+            .checked_mul(1_000)
+            .ok_or(NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded)?
+            .div_ceil(u128::from(DIAGNOSTIC_BYTES_PER_SECOND));
+        self.started
+            .checked_add(Duration::from_millis(
+                u64::try_from(millis).map_err(|_| NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded)?,
+            ))
+            .ok_or(NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded)
+    }
+}
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub struct NetworkPeerTarget {
@@ -66,6 +105,7 @@ pub enum NetworkPeerProbeError {
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
 pub struct NetworkPeerProbeClient {
     targets: Vec<NetworkPeerTarget>,
+    diagnostic_pacing: Option<Arc<DiagnosticPacing>>,
 }
 
 impl NetworkPeerProbeClient {
@@ -80,7 +120,25 @@ impl NetworkPeerProbeClient {
                 address,
             })
             .collect();
-        Self { targets }
+        Self {
+            targets,
+            diagnostic_pacing: None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Opt in one diagnostic run; clones share its charged payload and absolute deadline.
+    /// Default/admin probes retain their existing unpaced behavior.
+    pub fn with_diagnostic_pacing(mut self, started: Instant, duration: Duration) -> Result<Self, NetworkPeerProbeError> {
+        if self.diagnostic_pacing.is_some() || duration.is_zero() || duration > MAX_NETWORK_PROBE_DURATION {
+            return Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded);
+        }
+        let deadline = started.checked_add(duration).ok_or(NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded)?;
+        self.diagnostic_pacing = Some(Arc::new(DiagnosticPacing {
+            started,
+            deadline,
+            charged_bytes: AtomicU64::new(0),
+        }));
+        Ok(self)
     }
 
     pub fn targets(&self) -> Vec<NetworkPeerTarget> {
@@ -110,7 +168,19 @@ impl NetworkPeerProbeClient {
             .find(|target| target.alias == peer_alias)
             .map(|target| target.address.as_str())
             .ok_or(NetworkPeerProbeError::UnknownPeer)?;
-        let probe = probe_peer(address, traffic_bytes);
+        let probe = probe_peer(address, traffic_bytes, self.diagnostic_pacing.as_deref(), cancel);
+        if let Some(pacing) = &self.diagnostic_pacing {
+            let deadline = Instant::now()
+                .checked_add(max_duration)
+                .ok_or(NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded)?
+                .min(pacing.deadline);
+            return tokio::select! {
+                biased;
+                () = cancel.cancelled() => Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::Cancelled),
+                () = tokio::time::sleep_until(deadline) => Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::TimedOut),
+                result = probe => result,
+            };
+        }
         tokio::select! {
             () = cancel.cancelled() => Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::Cancelled),
             result = tokio::time::timeout(max_duration, probe) => {
@@ -120,7 +190,12 @@ impl NetworkPeerProbeClient {
     }
 }
 
-async fn probe_peer(address: &str, traffic_bytes: u64) -> Result<NetworkPeerProbeMeasurement, NetworkPeerProbeError> {
+async fn probe_peer(
+    address: &str,
+    traffic_bytes: u64,
+    pacing: Option<&DiagnosticPacing>,
+    cancel: &CancellationToken,
+) -> Result<NetworkPeerProbeMeasurement, NetworkPeerProbeError> {
     let started = Instant::now();
     let mut control = client(address, ChannelClass::Control).await?;
     let latency_started = Instant::now();
@@ -132,15 +207,18 @@ async fn probe_peer(address: &str, traffic_bytes: u64) -> Result<NetworkPeerProb
     validate_ping_response(&latency_response)?;
     let latency = latency_started.elapsed();
 
-    let payload_len = usize::try_from(traffic_bytes).map_err(|_| NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded)?;
-    let payload = vec![0x5a; payload_len];
     let mut bulk = client(address, ChannelClass::Bulk).await?;
-    let response = bulk
-        .ping(Request::new(ping_request(&payload)))
-        .await
-        .map_err(map_status)?
-        .into_inner();
-    validate_ping_response(&response)?;
+    send_payload(traffic_bytes, pacing, cancel, &mut bulk, |bulk, payload| {
+        Box::pin(async move {
+            let response = bulk
+                .ping(Request::new(ping_request(&payload)))
+                .await
+                .map_err(map_status)?
+                .into_inner();
+            validate_ping_response(&response)
+        })
+    })
+    .await?;
 
     Ok(NetworkPeerProbeMeasurement {
         transferred_bytes: traffic_bytes,
@@ -149,6 +227,59 @@ async fn probe_peer(address: &str, traffic_bytes: u64) -> Result<NetworkPeerProb
     })
 }
 
+type PayloadSendFuture<'a> = Pin<Box<dyn Future<Output = Result<(), NetworkPeerProbeError>> + Send + 'a>>;
+
+async fn send_payload<T, F>(
+    traffic_bytes: u64,
+    pacing: Option<&DiagnosticPacing>,
+    cancel: &CancellationToken,
+    sender: &mut T,
+    mut send: F,
+) -> Result<(), NetworkPeerProbeError>
+where
+    T: Send,
+    F: for<'a> FnMut(&'a mut T, Vec<u8>) -> PayloadSendFuture<'a> + Send,
+{
+    let mut remaining = traffic_bytes;
+    while remaining > 0 {
+        let bytes = if pacing.is_some() {
+            remaining.min(DIAGNOSTIC_CHUNK_BYTES)
+        } else {
+            remaining
+        };
+        if let Some(pacing) = pacing {
+            if cancel.is_cancelled() {
+                return Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::Cancelled);
+            }
+            if Instant::now() >= pacing.deadline {
+                return Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::TimedOut);
+            }
+            let due = pacing.reserve(bytes)?;
+            tokio::select! {
+                biased;
+                () = cancel.cancelled() => return Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::Cancelled),
+                () = tokio::time::sleep_until(pacing.deadline) => return Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::TimedOut),
+                () = tokio::time::sleep_until(due) => {},
+            }
+        }
+        let payload_len = usize::try_from(bytes).map_err(|_| NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded)?;
+        let payload = vec![0x5a; payload_len];
+        if let Some(pacing) = pacing {
+            // Check before polling the send future, including a cancellation/deadline tie.
+            tokio::select! {
+                biased;
+                () = cancel.cancelled() => return Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::Cancelled),
+                () = tokio::time::sleep_until(pacing.deadline) => return Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::TimedOut),
+                result = send(sender, payload) => result?,
+            }
+        } else {
+            send(sender, payload).await?;
+        }
+        remaining -= bytes;
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 async fn client(
     address: &str,
     class: ChannelClass,
@@ -208,6 +339,205 @@ mod tests {
     use crate::layout::endpoint::Endpoint;
     use crate::layout::endpoints::{Endpoints, PoolEndpoints};
 
+    fn pacing(duration: Duration) -> Arc<DiagnosticPacing> {
+        NetworkPeerProbeClient::from_endpoint_pools(&topology())
+            .with_diagnostic_pacing(Instant::now(), duration)
+            .expect("bounded diagnostic pacing window")
+            .diagnostic_pacing
+            .expect("opt-in pacing is present")
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn pacing_uses_exact_millisecond_ceiling_at_n_and_n_plus_one() {
+        for duration in [Duration::ZERO, MAX_NETWORK_PROBE_DURATION + Duration::from_nanos(1)] {
+            assert!(matches!(
+                NetworkPeerProbeClient::from_endpoint_pools(&topology()).with_diagnostic_pacing(Instant::now(), duration),
+                Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded)
+            ));
+        }
+        for (bytes, millis) in [(1, 1), (1_047_527, 999), (1_047_528, 1_000), (1_048_576, 1_000)] {
+            let pacing = pacing(Duration::from_secs(2));
+            assert_eq!(
+                pacing.reserve(bytes).expect("bounded reservation") - pacing.started,
+                Duration::from_millis(millis)
+            );
+        }
+        for bytes in [0, MAX_NETWORK_PROBE_BYTES + 1, u64::MAX] {
+            let pacing = pacing(Duration::from_secs(2));
+            assert_eq!(pacing.reserve(bytes), Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded));
+            assert_eq!(pacing.charged_bytes.load(Ordering::Acquire), 0);
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn cloned_diagnostic_clients_share_one_atomic_budget_without_reset() {
+        let client = NetworkPeerProbeClient::from_endpoint_pools(&topology())
+            .with_diagnostic_pacing(Instant::now(), Duration::from_secs(2))
+            .expect("pacing");
+        let cloned = client.clone();
+        let first = client.diagnostic_pacing.as_ref().expect("first budget");
+        let second = cloned.diagnostic_pacing.as_ref().expect("cloned budget");
+        assert!(Arc::ptr_eq(first, second));
+        let mut due = std::thread::scope(|scope| {
+            let first = scope.spawn(|| first.reserve(MAX_NETWORK_PROBE_BYTES / 2));
+            let second = scope.spawn(|| second.reserve(MAX_NETWORK_PROBE_BYTES / 2));
+            [
+                first.join().expect("first reservation thread").expect("first half"),
+                second.join().expect("second reservation thread").expect("second half"),
+            ]
+        });
+        due.sort();
+        assert_eq!(
+            due,
+            [
+                first.started + Duration::from_millis(500),
+                first.started + Duration::from_secs(1)
+            ]
+        );
+        assert_eq!(first.reserve(1), Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded));
+        assert_eq!(first.charged_bytes.load(Ordering::Acquire), MAX_NETWORK_PROBE_BYTES);
+        assert!(matches!(
+            cloned.with_diagnostic_pacing(Instant::now(), Duration::from_secs(2)),
+            Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::LimitExceeded)
+        ));
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
+    async fn failed_peer_payload_stays_charged_before_the_next_peer_send() {
+        let pacing = pacing(Duration::from_secs(2));
+        let cancel = CancellationToken::new();
+        let mut observed_partial_bytes = 0;
+        let failed = send_payload(32_768, Some(&pacing), &cancel, &mut observed_partial_bytes, |partial, payload| {
+            Box::pin(async move {
+                assert_eq!(payload.len(), 16_384);
+                // Model failure after a partial write: the sender cannot safely refund the remainder.
+                *partial += 8_192;
+                Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::Unreachable)
+            })
+        })
+        .await;
+        assert_eq!(failed, Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::Unreachable));
+        assert_eq!(observed_partial_bytes, 8_192);
+        assert_eq!(pacing.charged_bytes.load(Ordering::Acquire), 16_384);
+        let started = pacing.started;
+        let mut second_bytes = 0;
+        send_payload(16_384, Some(&pacing), &cancel, &mut second_bytes, move |bytes, payload| {
+            Box::pin(async move {
+                assert!(started.elapsed() >= Duration::from_millis(32));
+                *bytes += payload.len();
+                Ok(())
+            })
+        })
+        .await
+        .expect("second peer uses remaining shared budget");
+        assert_eq!(second_bytes, 16_384);
+        assert_eq!(pacing.charged_bytes.load(Ordering::Acquire), 32_768);
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
+    async fn cancellation_and_deadline_take_priority_over_an_earned_send() {
+        for cancelled in [false, true] {
+            let pacing = pacing(Duration::from_millis(16));
+            let cancel = CancellationToken::new();
+            let mut sends = 0;
+            {
+                let mut sending =
+                    std::pin::pin!(send_payload(8_192, Some(&pacing), &cancel, &mut sends, |sends, _| Box::pin(async move {
+                        *sends += 1;
+                        Ok(())
+                    })));
+                assert!(futures::poll!(&mut sending).is_pending());
+                tokio::time::advance(Duration::from_millis(16)).await;
+                if cancelled {
+                    cancel.cancel();
+                }
+                let expected = if cancelled {
+                    NetworkPeerProbeError::Cancelled
+                } else {
+                    NetworkPeerProbeError::TimedOut
+                };
+                assert_eq!(sending.await, Err(expected));
+            }
+            assert_eq!(sends, 0);
+            assert_eq!(pacing.charged_bytes.load(Ordering::Acquire), 8_192);
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
+    async fn cancellation_during_a_payload_rpc_retains_its_attempted_charge() {
+        let pacing = pacing(Duration::from_secs(2));
+        let cancel = CancellationToken::new();
+        let mut sends = 0;
+        {
+            let mut sending = std::pin::pin!(send_payload(16_384, Some(&pacing), &cancel, &mut sends, |sends, _| Box::pin(
+                async move {
+                    *sends += 1;
+                    std::future::pending().await
+                }
+            )));
+            assert!(futures::poll!(&mut sending).is_pending());
+            tokio::time::advance(Duration::from_millis(16)).await;
+            assert!(futures::poll!(&mut sending).is_pending());
+            cancel.cancel();
+            assert_eq!(sending.await, Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::Cancelled));
+        }
+        assert_eq!(sends, 1);
+        assert_eq!(pacing.charged_bytes.load(Ordering::Acquire), 16_384);
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
+    async fn default_payload_send_remains_one_unpaced_rpc() {
+        let started = Instant::now();
+        let mut sends = 0;
+        send_payload(32_768, None, &CancellationToken::new(), &mut sends, move |sends, payload| {
+            Box::pin(async move {
+                assert_eq!(started.elapsed(), Duration::ZERO);
+                assert_eq!(payload.len(), 32_768);
+                *sends += 1;
+                Ok(())
+            })
+        })
+        .await
+        .expect("legacy admin send");
+        assert_eq!(sends, 1);
+        assert!(
+            NetworkPeerProbeClient::from_endpoint_pools(&topology())
+                .diagnostic_pacing
+                .is_none()
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
+    async fn diagnostic_payload_is_charged_before_each_actual_send_poll() {
+        let started = tokio::time::Instant::now();
+        let pacing = DiagnosticPacing {
+            started,
+            deadline: started + Duration::from_secs(2),
+            charged_bytes: AtomicU64::new(0),
+        };
+        let mut attempted = 0_u64;
+        send_payload(
+            32_768,
+            Some(&pacing),
+            &CancellationToken::new(),
+            &mut attempted,
+            move |attempted, payload| {
+                Box::pin(async move {
+                    *attempted += u64::try_from(payload.len()).expect("bounded payload length");
+                    let available = u128::from(MAX_NETWORK_PROBE_BYTES) * started.elapsed().as_millis() / 1_000;
+                    assert!(
+                        u128::from(*attempted) <= available,
+                        "send boundary emitted {attempted} bytes with only {available} bytes earned"
+                    );
+                    Ok(())
+                })
+            },
+        )
+        .await
+        .expect("bounded diagnostic payload");
+        assert_eq!(attempted, 32_768);
+    }
+
     fn endpoint(value: &str, is_local: bool) -> Endpoint {
         let mut endpoint = Endpoint::try_from(value).expect("test endpoint should parse");
         endpoint.is_local = is_local;
@@ -230,6 +560,14 @@ mod tests {
         }])
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn probe_future_remains_send() {
+        fn require_send<T: Send>(_: T) {}
+        let client = NetworkPeerProbeClient::from_endpoint_pools(&topology());
+        let cancel = CancellationToken::new();
+        require_send(client.probe("peer-1", 1, Duration::from_secs(1), &cancel));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn targets_are_unique_sorted_remote_nodes_with_stable_aliases() {
         let client = NetworkPeerProbeClient::from_endpoint_pools(&topology());
diff --git a/rustfs/src/connect/diagnostics/perf_network.rs b/rustfs/src/connect/diagnostics/perf_network.rs
index 04e184379..f158d4809 100644
--- a/rustfs/src/connect/diagnostics/perf_network.rs
+++ b/rustfs/src/connect/diagnostics/perf_network.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ use std::io::{Cursor, Write as _};
 use std::path::Path;
 use std::pin::Pin;
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
-use std::time::{Duration, Instant, SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
+use std::time::{Duration, SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 
 use base64_simd::URL_SAFE_NO_PAD;
 use p256::ecdsa::{Signature, SigningKey, signature::Signer as _};
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ use serde::Serialize;
 use sha2::{Digest as _, Sha256};
 use thiserror::Error;
 use time::{OffsetDateTime, format_description::well_known::Rfc3339};
+use tokio::time::Instant;
 use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 use uuid::{Uuid, Variant, Version};
 use zip::{CompressionMethod, ZipWriter, write::SimpleFileOptions};
@@ -416,7 +417,14 @@ pub async fn measure_network(
     if aliases != request.peer_aliases {
         return Err(NetworkPerformanceError::InvalidRequest);
     }
-    measure_network_with_harness(request, &harness, cancel).await
+    let started = Instant::now();
+    let harness = RuntimeNetworkPeerHarness {
+        client: harness
+            .client
+            .with_diagnostic_pacing(started, request.duration)
+            .map_err(|_| NetworkPerformanceError::LimitExceeded)?,
+    };
+    measure_network_with_harness_at(request, &harness, cancel, started).await
 }
 
 pub(crate) fn runtime_network_peer_aliases() -> Option<Vec<String>> {
@@ -433,14 +441,24 @@ pub async fn measure_network_with_harness(
     request: &NetworkPerformanceRequest,
     harness: &dyn NetworkPeerHarness,
     cancel: &CancellationToken,
+) -> Result<NetworkMeasurement, NetworkPerformanceError> {
+    measure_network_with_harness_at(request, harness, cancel, Instant::now()).await
+}
+
+async fn measure_network_with_harness_at(
+    request: &NetworkPerformanceRequest,
+    harness: &dyn NetworkPeerHarness,
+    cancel: &CancellationToken,
+    started: Instant,
 ) -> Result<NetworkMeasurement, NetworkPerformanceError> {
     request.validate(unix_now()?)?;
     if cancel.is_cancelled() {
         return Ok(terminal_measurement(request, NetworkOutcome::Cancelled, NetworkReasonCode::Cancelled));
     }
     let _lease = CollectorLease::acquire()?;
-    let started = Instant::now();
-    let deadline = tokio::time::Instant::now() + request.duration;
+    let deadline = started
+        .checked_add(request.duration)
+        .ok_or(NetworkPerformanceError::LimitExceeded)?;
     let mut peers = Vec::with_capacity(request.peer_aliases.len());
     let mut transferred_bytes = 0_u64;
     let mut completed_units = 0_u32;
@@ -448,6 +466,7 @@ pub async fn measure_network_with_harness(
     for alias in &request.peer_aliases {
         let peer_started = Instant::now();
         let outcome = tokio::select! {
+            biased;
             () = cancel.cancelled() => {
                 return Ok(cancelled_measurement(request, started.elapsed(), completed_units, peers));
             }
diff --git a/rustfs/tests/connect_perf_network.rs b/rustfs/tests/connect_perf_network.rs
index 53606369b..64844ed4a 100644
--- a/rustfs/tests/connect_perf_network.rs
+++ b/rustfs/tests/connect_perf_network.rs
@@ -136,6 +136,200 @@ async fn unused_address() -> SocketAddr {
     address
 }
 
+// The native collector is Unix-only. Fresh processes exercise normal runtime
+// publication without replacing its immutable first-writer context.
+#[cfg(unix)]
+#[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 4)]
+async fn native_network_entry_uses_distributed_runtime() {
+    use std::path::PathBuf;
+    use std::process::Stdio;
+    use tokio::process::Command;
+
+    const CHILD: &str = "RUSTFS_NETWORK_ENTRY_CHILD";
+    const ROOT: &str = "RUSTFS_NETWORK_ENTRY_ROOT";
+    const PORTS: &str = "RUSTFS_NETWORK_ENTRY_PORTS";
+    const TEST: &str = "native_network_entry_uses_distributed_runtime";
+    if let Ok(node) = std::env::var(CHILD) {
+        let root = PathBuf::from(std::env::var_os(ROOT).expect("owned root"));
+        let ports: Vec<u16> = std::env::var(PORTS)
+            .expect("owned ports")
+            .split(',')
+            .map(|port| port.parse().expect("port"))
+            .collect();
+        let index: usize = node.parse().expect("node index");
+        let volumes = ports
+            .iter()
+            .enumerate()
+            .flat_map(|(node, port)| {
+                let root = &root;
+                (0..2).map(move |disk| format!("http://127.0.0.1:{port}{}/node-{node}/disk-{disk}", root.display()))
+            })
+            .collect();
+        let server = tokio::time::timeout(
+            Duration::from_secs(90),
+            rustfs::embedded::RustFSServerBuilder::new()
+                .address(format!("127.0.0.1:{}", ports[index]))
+                .access_key("network-entry-access")
+                .secret_key("network-entry-secret")
+                .volumes(volumes)
+                .build(),
+        )
+        .await
+        .expect("bounded distributed startup")
+        .expect("distributed startup");
+        fs::write(root.join(format!("ready-{index}")), b"ready").expect("ready marker");
+        tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(120), async {
+            loop {
+                if root.join("stop").exists() {
+                    break;
+                }
+                if index == 0 && root.join("measure").exists() {
+                    use rustfs_ecstore::api::disk::Endpoint;
+                    use rustfs_ecstore::api::layout::{EndpointServerPools, Endpoints, PoolEndpoints};
+                    use rustfs_ecstore::api::rpc::{NetworkPeerProbeClient, NetworkPeerProbeError};
+
+                    // This control uses the same live peer and authentication, but
+                    // leaves ordinary/admin transport behavior unpaced. Its full
+                    // payload must hit the real receiver's configured codec limit.
+                    let mut local = Endpoint::try_from(format!("http://127.0.0.1:{}/local", ports[0]).as_str())
+                        .expect("local control endpoint");
+                    local.is_local = true;
+                    let mut remote = Endpoint::try_from(format!("http://127.0.0.1:{}/remote", ports[1]).as_str())
+                        .expect("remote control endpoint");
+                    remote.is_local = false;
+                    let topology = EndpointServerPools::from(vec![PoolEndpoints {
+                        legacy: false,
+                        set_count: 1,
+                        drives_per_set: 2,
+                        endpoints: Endpoints::from(vec![local, remote]),
+                        cmd_line: String::new(),
+                        platform: String::new(),
+                    }]);
+                    assert_eq!(
+                        NetworkPeerProbeClient::from_endpoint_pools(&topology)
+                            .probe("peer-1", 65_536, Duration::from_secs(2), &CancellationToken::new())
+                            .await,
+                        Err(NetworkPeerProbeError::ProtocolFailure),
+                        "unpaced control must exceed the real peer's message limit"
+                    );
+                    let mut input = request(1);
+                    input.duration = Duration::from_secs(2);
+                    input.traffic_bytes_per_peer = 65_536;
+                    let measured = measure_network(&input, &CancellationToken::new())
+                        .await
+                        .expect("actual service entry");
+                    assert_eq!(measured.result.outcome(), NetworkOutcome::Succeeded, "{measured:?}");
+                    assert_eq!(measured.result.data().expect("real network data").transferred_bytes, 65_536);
+                    fs::write(root.join("measured"), b"success").expect("result marker");
+                    while !root.join("stop").exists() {
+                        tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(25)).await;
+                    }
+                    break;
+                }
+                tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(25)).await;
+            }
+        })
+        .await
+        .expect("bounded child lifetime");
+        server.shutdown().await;
+        return;
+    }
+
+    let root = tempfile::Builder::new()
+        .prefix("rustfs-network-entry-")
+        .tempdir()
+        .expect("owned root");
+    // Reserve both ports together so the OS cannot hand back the same port.
+    let reservations = [
+        std::net::TcpListener::bind("127.0.0.1:0").expect("reserve node port"),
+        std::net::TcpListener::bind("127.0.0.1:0").expect("reserve peer port"),
+    ];
+    let ports = reservations
+        .each_ref()
+        .map(|listener| listener.local_addr().expect("reserved address").port());
+    drop(reservations);
+    let mut children = Vec::new();
+    let result = tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(110), async {
+        let setup: Result<(), std::io::Error> = async {
+            for node in 0..2 {
+                for disk in 0..2 {
+                    fs::create_dir_all(root.path().join(format!("node-{node}/disk-{disk}")))?;
+                }
+                let log = fs::File::create(root.path().join(format!("node-{node}.log")))?;
+                children.push(
+                    Command::new(std::env::current_exe()?)
+                        .args(["--exact", TEST, "--nocapture"])
+                        .env(CHILD, node.to_string())
+                        .env(ROOT, root.path())
+                        .env(PORTS, format!("{},{}", ports[0], ports[1]))
+                        .env("RUSTFS_UNSAFE_BYPASS_DISK_CHECK", "true")
+                        .env("RUSTFS_CONSOLE_ENABLE", "false")
+                        // A full 64 KiB probe cannot fit, but production diagnostic chunks can.
+                        .env("RUSTFS_INTERNODE_RPC_MAX_MESSAGE_SIZE", "32768")
+                        .env("NO_PROXY", "localhost,127.0.0.1,::1")
+                        .env("no_proxy", "localhost,127.0.0.1,::1")
+                        .env_remove("HTTP_PROXY")
+                        .env_remove("HTTPS_PROXY")
+                        .env_remove("ALL_PROXY")
+                        .env_remove("http_proxy")
+                        .env_remove("https_proxy")
+                        .env_remove("all_proxy")
+                        .current_dir(root.path())
+                        .stdin(Stdio::null())
+                        .stdout(log.try_clone()?)
+                        .stderr(log)
+                        .kill_on_drop(true)
+                        .spawn()?,
+                );
+            }
+            Ok(())
+        }
+        .await;
+        setup.map_err(|error| format!("child setup failed: {error}"))?;
+        loop {
+            for child in &mut children {
+                if let Some(status) = child.try_wait().map_err(|error| format!("child status failed: {error}"))? {
+                    return Err(format!("child exited: {status}"));
+                }
+            }
+            if (0..2).all(|node| root.path().join(format!("ready-{node}")).exists()) {
+                fs::write(root.path().join("measure"), b"go").map_err(|error| format!("measurement marker failed: {error}"))?;
+            }
+            if root.path().join("measured").exists() {
+                return Ok(());
+            }
+            tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(25)).await;
+        }
+    })
+    .await;
+    let mut cleanup_errors = Vec::new();
+    if let Err(error) = fs::write(root.path().join("stop"), b"stop") {
+        cleanup_errors.push(format!("stop marker failed: {error}"));
+    }
+    for child in &mut children {
+        match tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(10), child.wait()).await {
+            Ok(Ok(status)) if status.success() => {}
+            Ok(Ok(status)) => cleanup_errors.push(format!("child exited unsuccessfully: {status}")),
+            waited => {
+                cleanup_errors.push(format!("child failed to stop cleanly: {waited:?}"));
+                if let Err(error) = child.kill().await {
+                    cleanup_errors.push(format!("kill child failed: {error}"));
+                }
+                if let Err(error) = child.wait().await {
+                    cleanup_errors.push(format!("reap child failed: {error}"));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    if !matches!(result, Ok(Ok(()))) || !cleanup_errors.is_empty() {
+        let path = root.keep();
+        panic!(
+            "distributed entry attempt failed: {result:?}; cleanup: {cleanup_errors:?}; owned logs at {}",
+            path.display()
+        );
+    }
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn real_rustfs_peer_accepts_authenticated_payload_and_attributes_disconnect() {
     use rustfs::embedded::{RustFSServerBuilder, find_available_port};
@@ -144,11 +338,7 @@ async fn real_rustfs_peer_accepts_authenticated_payload_and_attributes_disconnec
     use rustfs_ecstore::api::rpc::{NetworkPeerProbeClient, NetworkPeerProbeError};
 
     let _guard = TEST_HARNESS_LOCK.lock().await;
-    let port = match find_available_port() {
-        Ok(port) => port,
-        Err(error) if error.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::PermissionDenied => return,
-        Err(error) => panic!("find free port: {error}"),
-    };
+    let port = find_available_port().expect("real peer test requires an available loopback port");
     let server = RustFSServerBuilder::new()
         .address(format!("127.0.0.1:{port}"))
         .access_key("network-probe-access")
@@ -179,6 +369,19 @@ async fn real_rustfs_peer_accepts_authenticated_payload_and_attributes_disconnec
     assert!(!measurement.duration.is_zero());
     assert!(!measurement.latency.is_zero());
 
+    let pacing_started = tokio::time::Instant::now();
+    let paced = client
+        .clone()
+        .with_diagnostic_pacing(pacing_started, Duration::from_secs(2))
+        .expect("opt-in diagnostic pacing");
+    let paced_measurement = paced
+        .probe("peer-1", 65_536, Duration::from_secs(2), &CancellationToken::new())
+        .await
+        .expect("real authenticated peer accepts paced chunks");
+    assert_eq!(paced_measurement.transferred_bytes, 65_536);
+    assert!(pacing_started.elapsed() >= Duration::from_millis(63));
+    assert!(paced_measurement.latency <= paced_measurement.duration);
+
     server.shutdown().await;
     assert_eq!(
         client
@@ -345,6 +548,54 @@ async fn invalid_and_over_budget_requests_fail_before_peer_io() {
     assert_eq!(harness.0.load(Ordering::Relaxed), 0);
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn network_admission_preserves_the_999_millisecond_n_and_n_plus_one_boundary() {
+    let _guard = TEST_HARNESS_LOCK.lock().await;
+    let harness = CountingHarness(AtomicUsize::new(0));
+    let mut bounded = request(1);
+    bounded.duration = Duration::from_millis(999);
+    bounded.traffic_bytes_per_peer = 1_047_527;
+    let measurement = measure_network_with_harness(&bounded, &harness, &CancellationToken::new())
+        .await
+        .expect("N is admitted");
+    assert_eq!(measurement.result.outcome(), NetworkOutcome::Succeeded);
+    bounded.traffic_bytes_per_peer += 1;
+    assert!(matches!(
+        measure_network_with_harness(&bounded, &harness, &CancellationToken::new()).await,
+        Err(NetworkPerformanceError::LimitExceeded)
+    ));
+    assert_eq!(harness.0.load(Ordering::Relaxed), 1);
+}
+
+#[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
+async fn run_and_peer_durations_share_the_tokio_clock_with_submillisecond_remainders() {
+    struct ClockHarness;
+    impl NetworkPeerHarness for ClockHarness {
+        fn probe<'a>(&'a self, _peer_alias: &'a str, traffic_bytes: u64, _cancel: &'a CancellationToken) -> PeerProbeFuture<'a> {
+            Box::pin(async move {
+                let started = tokio::time::Instant::now();
+                tokio::time::advance(Duration::from_micros(1_500)).await;
+                Ok(PeerProbeMeasurement {
+                    transferred_bytes: traffic_bytes,
+                    duration: started.elapsed(),
+                    latency: Duration::from_micros(500),
+                })
+            })
+        }
+    }
+    let _guard = TEST_HARNESS_LOCK.lock().await;
+    let mut request = request(1);
+    request.traffic_bytes_per_peer = 1;
+    let measurement = measure_network_with_harness(&request, &ClockHarness, &CancellationToken::new())
+        .await
+        .expect("clock-bound result");
+    let value = serde_json::to_value(&measurement.result).expect("result JSON");
+    assert_eq!(value["durationMillis"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(value["data"]["durationMillis"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(measurement.peers[0].duration_millis, 1);
+    assert_eq!(measurement.peers[0].latency_micros, Some(500));
+}
+
 struct BlockingHarness;
 
 impl NetworkPeerHarness for BlockingHarness {