diff --git a/contrib/py/lnproxy/lnproxy/__main__.py b/contrib/py/lnproxy/lnproxy/__main__.py
index a3994bba5..81e42c01c 100644
--- a/contrib/py/lnproxy/lnproxy/__main__.py
+++ b/contrib/py/lnproxy/lnproxy/__main__.py
@@ -3,6 +3,13 @@
 from http.server import ThreadingHTTPServer as Server
 from http.server import BaseHTTPRequestHandler as BaseHandler
 
+
+bootstrapFromURL = True
+try:
+    import requests
+except ImportError:
+    bootstrapFromURL = False
+
 import ctypes
 from ctypes.util import find_library
 
@@ -26,7 +33,7 @@ class ResultStruct(ctypes.Structure):
 
 class LNContext(ctypes.Structure):
     pass
-    
+
 class Context:
     """
     wrapper around liblokinet
@@ -39,44 +46,59 @@ class Context:
         self._ln.lokinet_address.restype = ctypes.c_char_p
         self._ln.lokinet_address.argtypes = (ctypes.POINTER(LNContext), )
         self._ln.lokinet_outbound_stream.restype = ctypes.POINTER(ResultStruct)
-        self._ln.lokinet_outbound_stream.argtypes = (ctypes.POINTER(ResultStruct), ctypes.c_char_p, ctypes.c_char_p, ctypes.POINTER(LNContext))  
+        self._ln.lokinet_outbound_stream.argtypes = (ctypes.POINTER(ResultStruct), ctypes.c_char_p, ctypes.c_char_p, ctypes.POINTER(LNContext))
         self._ctx = self._ln.lokinet_context_new()
+        self._addrmap = dict()
 
     def free(self, ptr):
         self._c.free(ptr)
 
+    def add_bootstrap(self, data):
+        ptr = ctypes.create_string_buffer(data)
+        ptrlen = ctypes.c_size_t(len(data))
+        return self.ln_call("lokinet_add_bootstrap_rc", ptr, ptrlen)
 
     def addr(self):
         return self._ln.lokinet_address(self._ctx).decode('ascii')
 
     def expose(self, port):
         return self.ln_call('lokinet_inbound_stream', port)
-    
+
     def ln_call(self, funcname, *args):
         args += (self._ctx,)
         print("call {}{}".format(funcname, args))
         return self._ln[funcname](*args)
-        
+
     def start(self):
-        self.ln_call("lokinet_context_start")
+        return self.ln_call("lokinet_context_start")
 
     def stop(self):
         self.ln_call("lokinet_context_stop")
 
+    def hasAddr(self, addr):
+        return addr in self._addrmap
+
+    def putAddr(self, addr, val):
+        self._addrmap[addr] = val
+
+    def getAddr(self, addr):
+        if addr in self._addrmap:
+            return self._addrmap[addr]
+
     def __del__(self):
         self.stop()
-        self._ln_call("lokinet_context_free")    
+        self._ln_call("lokinet_context_free")
 
 class Stream:
-    
+
     def __init__(self, ctx):
         self._ctx = ctx
         self._id = None
-        
+
     def connect(self, remote):
         result = ResultStruct()
         self._ctx.ln_call("lokinet_outbound_stream", ctypes.cast(ctypes.addressof(result), ctypes.POINTER(ResultStruct)), ctypes.create_string_buffer(remote.encode()), ctypes.c_char_p(0))
-    
+
         if result.err:
             print(result.err)
             return
@@ -94,36 +116,40 @@ class Stream:
 def read_and_forward_or_close(readfd, writefd):
     read = 0
     while True:
-        data = os.read(readfd, 128)
+        data = os.read(readfd, 1024)
         read += len(data)
         if data and len(data) > 0:
             writefd.write(data)
             writefd.flush()
+            return True
         else:
             return read > 0
-        
+
 ctx = Context()
 
-        
+
 class Handler(BaseHandler):
 
     def do_CONNECT(self):
         self.connect(self.path)
-    
+
     def connect(self, host):
         global ctx
-        stream = Stream(ctx)
+        if not ctx.hasAddr(host):
+            stream = Stream(ctx)
+
+            result = stream.connect(host)
+            if not result:
+                self.send_error(503)
+                return
+            ctx.putAddr(host, result)
 
-        result = stream.connect(host)
-        if not result:
-            self.send_error(503)
-            return
         sock = socket.socket()
-        sock.connect(result)
+        sock.connect(ctx.getAddr(host))
         if not sock:
             self.send_error(504)
             return
-        
+
         self.send_response_only(200)
         self.end_headers()
         sel = selectors.DefaultSelector()
@@ -142,16 +168,46 @@ class Handler(BaseHandler):
                     sel.unregister(self.rfile)
                     sel.unregister(sock)
                     sel.close()
-                    stream.close()
                     return
 
+import os
+import sys
+from argparse import ArgumentParser as AP
+
+ap = AP()
+ap.add_argument("--ip", type=str, help="ip to bind to", default="127.0.0.1")
+ap.add_argument("--port", type=int, help="port to bind to", default=3000)
+ap.add_argument("--bootstrap", type=str, help="bootstrap file", default="bootstrap.signed")
+if bootstrapFromURL:
+    ap.add_argument("--bootstrap-url", type=str, help="bootstrap from remote url", default="https://seed.lokinet.org/lokinet.signed")
+
+args = ap.parse_args()
+addr = (args.ip, args.port)
+server = Server(addr, Handler)
+
+if os.path.exists(args.bootstrap):
+    with open(args.bootstrap, 'rb') as f:
+        if ctx.add_bootstrap(f.read()) == 0:
+            print("loaded {}".format(args.bootstrap))
+
+if args.bootstrap_url is not None:
+    print('getting bootstrap info from {}'.format(args.bootstrap_url))
+    resp = requests.get(args.bootstrap_url)
+    if resp.status_code == 200 and ctx.add_bootstrap(resp.content) == 0:
+        pass
+    else:
+        print("failed")
+
+if ctx.start() != 0:
+    print("failed to start")
+    ctx.stop()
+    sys.exit(-1)
 
-server = Server(('127.0.0.1', 3000), Handler)
-ctx.start()
 id = ctx.expose(80)
 print("we are {}".format(ctx.addr()))
 try:
+    print("serving on {}:{}".format(*addr))
     server.serve_forever()
-except:
+finally:
     ctx.ln_call("lokinet_close_stream", id)
     ctx.stop()
diff --git a/include/llarp.hpp b/include/llarp.hpp
index 0d6e5449c..e333e2495 100644
--- a/include/llarp.hpp
+++ b/include/llarp.hpp
@@ -92,6 +92,10 @@ namespace llarp
     virtual std::shared_ptr<AbstractRouter>
     makeRouter(const std::shared_ptr<EventLoop>& loop);
 
+    /// create the nodedb given our current configs
+    virtual std::shared_ptr<NodeDB>
+    makeNodeDB();
+
     /// create the vpn platform for use in creating network interfaces
     virtual std::shared_ptr<llarp::vpn::Platform>
     makeVPNPlatform();
diff --git a/include/lokinet.h b/include/lokinet.h
index 2a862ff65..0c1b6933e 100644
--- a/include/lokinet.h
+++ b/include/lokinet.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include <stdint.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C"
@@ -15,12 +16,20 @@ extern "C"
   struct lokinet_context*
   lokinet_context_new();
 
+  /// load a bootstrap RC from memory
+  /// return 0 on success
+  /// return non zero on fail
+  int
+  lokinet_add_bootstrap_rc(const char*, size_t, struct lokinet_context*);
+
   /// free a context allocated by lokinet_context_new
   void
   lokinet_context_free(struct lokinet_context*);
 
   /// spawn all the threads needed for operation and start running
-  void
+  /// return 0 on success
+  /// return non zero on fail
+  int
   lokinet_context_start(struct lokinet_context*);
 
   /// stop all operations on this lokinet context
diff --git a/llarp/config/config.cpp b/llarp/config/config.cpp
index 53000e974..8ffae4ba0 100644
--- a/llarp/config/config.cpp
+++ b/llarp/config/config.cpp
@@ -937,8 +937,8 @@ namespace llarp
           {
             throw std::invalid_argument("cannot use empty filename as bootstrap");
           }
-          routers.emplace_back(std::move(arg));
-          if (not fs::exists(routers.back()))
+          files.emplace_back(std::move(arg));
+          if (not fs::exists(files.back()))
           {
             throw std::invalid_argument("file does not exist: " + arg);
           }
@@ -1356,11 +1356,12 @@ namespace llarp
   std::shared_ptr<Config>
   Config::EmbeddedConfig()
   {
-    auto config = std::make_shared<Config>(fs::current_path());
+    auto config = std::make_shared<Config>(fs::path{});
     config->Load();
     config->logging.m_logLevel = eLogNone;
     config->api.m_enableRPCServer = false;
     config->network.m_endpointType = "null";
+    config->bootstrap.files.clear();
     return config;
   }
 
diff --git a/llarp/config/config.hpp b/llarp/config/config.hpp
index 9c389001b..e9dcc2bb5 100644
--- a/llarp/config/config.hpp
+++ b/llarp/config/config.hpp
@@ -188,7 +188,8 @@ namespace llarp
 
   struct BootstrapConfig
   {
-    std::vector<fs::path> routers;
+    std::vector<fs::path> files;
+    std::set<RouterContact> routers;
     bool seednode;
     void
     defineConfigOptions(ConfigDefinition& conf, const ConfigGenParameters& params);
diff --git a/llarp/config/key_manager.cpp b/llarp/config/key_manager.cpp
index 14e9298cb..4e17c0ef4 100644
--- a/llarp/config/key_manager.cpp
+++ b/llarp/config/key_manager.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,14 @@ namespace llarp
     if (m_initialized)
       return false;
 
+    if (not isSNode)
+    {
+      CryptoManager::instance()->identity_keygen(identityKey);
+      CryptoManager::instance()->encryption_keygen(encryptionKey);
+      CryptoManager::instance()->encryption_keygen(transportKey);
+      return true;
+    }
+
     const fs::path root = config.router.m_dataDir;
 
     // utility function to assign a path, using the specified config parameter if present and
diff --git a/llarp/context.cpp b/llarp/context.cpp
index 5cb4aa901..c62d5893d 100644
--- a/llarp/context.cpp
+++ b/llarp/context.cpp
@@ -74,13 +74,19 @@ namespace llarp
 
     router = makeRouter(loop);
 
-    nodedb = std::make_shared<NodeDB>(
-        nodedb_dir, [r = router.get()](auto call) { r->QueueDiskIO(std::move(call)); });
+    nodedb = makeNodeDB();
 
     if (!router->Configure(config, opts.isSNode, nodedb))
       throw std::runtime_error("Failed to configure router");
   }
 
+  std::shared_ptr<NodeDB>
+  Context::makeNodeDB()
+  {
+    return std::make_shared<NodeDB>(
+        nodedb_dir, [r = router.get()](auto call) { r->QueueDiskIO(std::move(call)); });
+  }
+
   std::shared_ptr<AbstractRouter>
   Context::makeRouter(const EventLoop_ptr& loop)
   {
diff --git a/llarp/endpoint_base.hpp b/llarp/endpoint_base.hpp
index b16581637..c20ca6cea 100644
--- a/llarp/endpoint_base.hpp
+++ b/llarp/endpoint_base.hpp
@@ -27,7 +27,29 @@ namespace llarp
 
     using AddressVariant_t = std::variant<service::Address, RouterID>;
 
-    virtual std::string
+    struct SendStat
+    {
+      /// how many routing messages we sent to them
+      uint64_t messagesSend;
+      /// how many routing messages we got from them
+      uint64_t messagesRecv;
+      /// how many convos have we had to this guy total?
+      size_t numTotalConvos;
+      /// current estimated rtt
+      Duration_t estimatedRTT;
+      /// last time point when we sent a message to them
+      Duration_t lastSendAt;
+      /// last time point when we got a message from them
+      Duration_t lastRecvAt;
+    };
+
+    /// get statistics about how much traffic we sent and recv'd via remote endpoints we are talking
+    /// to
+    virtual std::unordered_map<AddressVariant_t, SendStat>
+    GetStatistics() const = 0;
+
+    /// get our local address
+    virtual AddressVariant_t
     LocalAddress() const = 0;
 
     virtual quic::TunnelManager*
diff --git a/llarp/handlers/exit.cpp b/llarp/handlers/exit.cpp
index d7e291100..bdbf7ab90 100644
--- a/llarp/handlers/exit.cpp
+++ b/llarp/handlers/exit.cpp
@@ -557,11 +557,16 @@ namespace llarp
       return found;
     }
 
-    std::string
+    EndpointBase::AddressVariant_t
     ExitEndpoint::LocalAddress() const
     {
-      const RouterID r{m_Router->pubkey()};
-      return r.ToString();
+      return RouterID{m_Router->pubkey()};
+    }
+
+    std::unordered_map<EndpointBase::AddressVariant_t, EndpointBase::SendStat>
+    ExitEndpoint::GetStatistics() const
+    {
+      return {};
     }
 
     bool
diff --git a/llarp/handlers/exit.hpp b/llarp/handlers/exit.hpp
index 59fe60cdf..9bdcdf29b 100644
--- a/llarp/handlers/exit.hpp
+++ b/llarp/handlers/exit.hpp
@@ -109,9 +109,12 @@ namespace llarp
       bool
       QueueOutboundTraffic(net::IPPacket pkt);
 
-      std::string
+      AddressVariant_t
       LocalAddress() const override;
 
+      std::unordered_map<AddressVariant_t, SendStat>
+      GetStatistics() const override;
+
       /// sets up networking and starts traffic
       bool
       Start();
diff --git a/llarp/handlers/null.hpp b/llarp/handlers/null.hpp
index 4f52ab1cc..853332fbb 100644
--- a/llarp/handlers/null.hpp
+++ b/llarp/handlers/null.hpp
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ namespace llarp
         LogTrace("Inbound ", t, " packet (", buf.sz, "B) on convo ", tag);
         if (t == service::ProtocolType::Control)
         {
-          MarkConvoTagActive(tag);
           return true;
         }
         if (t != service::ProtocolType::QUIC)
@@ -46,7 +45,6 @@ namespace llarp
           LogWarn("invalid incoming quic packet, dropping");
           return false;
         }
-        MarkConvoTagActive(tag);
         quic->receive_packet(tag, buf);
         return true;
       }
diff --git a/llarp/handlers/tun.cpp b/llarp/handlers/tun.cpp
index 9bac4b927..1eea6df0e 100644
--- a/llarp/handlers/tun.cpp
+++ b/llarp/handlers/tun.cpp
@@ -999,7 +999,6 @@ namespace llarp
           return false;
         }
         LogInfo("tag active T=", tag);
-        MarkConvoTagActive(tag);
         quic->receive_packet(tag, buf);
         return true;
       }
diff --git a/llarp/lokinet_shared.cpp b/llarp/lokinet_shared.cpp
index b8753ccb3..ab6edc029 100644
--- a/llarp/lokinet_shared.cpp
+++ b/llarp/lokinet_shared.cpp
@@ -2,23 +2,40 @@
 
 #include "lokinet.h"
 #include "llarp.hpp"
-#include "config/config.hpp"
+#include <llarp/config/config.hpp>
+#include <llarp/crypto/crypto_libsodium.hpp>
 
 #include <llarp/router/abstractrouter.hpp>
 #include <llarp/service/context.hpp>
 #include <llarp/quic/tunnel.hpp>
+#include <llarp/nodedb.hpp>
 
 #include <mutex>
 
+namespace
+{
+  struct Context : public llarp::Context
+  {
+    using llarp::Context::Context;
+
+    std::shared_ptr<llarp::NodeDB>
+    makeNodeDB() override
+    {
+      return std::make_shared<llarp::NodeDB>();
+    }
+  };
+}  // namespace
+
 struct lokinet_context
 {
   std::mutex m_access;
 
   std::shared_ptr<llarp::Context> impl;
+  std::shared_ptr<llarp::Config> config;
 
   std::unique_ptr<std::thread> runner;
 
-  lokinet_context() : impl{std::make_shared<llarp::Context>()}
+  lokinet_context() : impl{std::make_shared<Context>()}, config{llarp::Config::EmbeddedConfig()}
   {}
 
   ~lokinet_context()
@@ -56,6 +73,7 @@ namespace
   void
   stream_error(lokinet_stream_result* result, int err)
   {
+    std::memset(result, 0, sizeof(lokinet_stream_result));
     result->error = err;
   }
 
@@ -126,6 +144,24 @@ extern "C"
     return strdup(addrStr.c_str());
   }
 
+  int
+  lokinet_add_bootstrap_rc(const char* data, size_t datalen, struct lokinet_context* ctx)
+  {
+    llarp_buffer_t buf{data, datalen};
+    llarp::RouterContact rc{};
+    if (ctx == nullptr)
+      return -3;
+    auto lock = ctx->acquire();
+    // add a temp cryptography implementation here so rc.Verify works
+    llarp::CryptoManager instance{new llarp::sodium::CryptoLibSodium{}};
+    if (not rc.BDecode(&buf))
+      return -1;
+    if (not rc.Verify(llarp::time_now_ms()))
+      return -2;
+    ctx->config->bootstrap.routers.insert(std::move(rc));
+    return 0;
+  }
+
   struct lokinet_context*
   lokinet_context_new()
   {
@@ -139,19 +175,22 @@ extern "C"
     delete ctx;
   }
 
-  void
+  int
   lokinet_context_start(struct lokinet_context* ctx)
   {
     if (not ctx)
-      return;
+      return -1;
     auto lock = ctx->acquire();
     ctx->runner = std::make_unique<std::thread>([ctx]() {
       llarp::util::SetThreadName("llarp-mainloop");
-      ctx->impl->Configure(llarp::Config::EmbeddedConfig());
+      ctx->impl->Configure(ctx->config);
       const llarp::RuntimeOptions opts{};
       try
       {
         ctx->impl->Setup(opts);
+#ifdef SIG_PIPE
+        signal(SIG_PIPE, SIGIGN);
+#endif
         ctx->impl->Run(opts);
       }
       catch (std::exception& ex)
@@ -163,9 +202,10 @@ extern "C"
     while (not ctx->impl->IsUp())
     {
       if (ctx->impl->IsStopping())
-        return;
+        return -1;
       std::this_thread::sleep_for(5ms);
     }
+    return 0;
   }
 
   void
diff --git a/llarp/nodedb.cpp b/llarp/nodedb.cpp
index 397018fb3..671ad2fc3 100644
--- a/llarp/nodedb.cpp
+++ b/llarp/nodedb.cpp
@@ -63,10 +63,15 @@ namespace llarp
   {
     EnsureSkiplist(m_Root);
   }
+  NodeDB::NodeDB() : m_Root{}, disk{[](auto) {}}, m_NextFlushAt{0s}
+  {}
 
   void
   NodeDB::Tick(llarp_time_t now)
   {
+    if (m_NextFlushAt == 0s)
+      return;
+
     if (now > m_NextFlushAt)
     {
       m_NextFlushAt += FlushInterval;
@@ -102,6 +107,9 @@ namespace llarp
   void
   NodeDB::LoadFromDisk()
   {
+    if (m_Root.empty())
+      return;
+
     for (const char& ch : skiplist_subdirs)
     {
       if (!ch)
@@ -125,6 +133,9 @@ namespace llarp
   void
   NodeDB::SaveToDisk() const
   {
+    if (m_Root.empty())
+      return;
+
     for (const auto& item : m_Entries)
     {
       item.second.rc.Write(GetPathForPubkey(item.first));
@@ -209,6 +220,8 @@ namespace llarp
   void
   NodeDB::AsyncRemoveManyFromDisk(std::unordered_set<RouterID> remove) const
   {
+    if (m_Root.empty())
+      return;
     // build file list
     std::set<fs::path> files;
     for (auto id : remove)
diff --git a/llarp/nodedb.hpp b/llarp/nodedb.hpp
index 63cabd8f8..52330bc9a 100644
--- a/llarp/nodedb.hpp
+++ b/llarp/nodedb.hpp
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ namespace llarp
    public:
     explicit NodeDB(fs::path rootdir, std::function<void(std::function<void()>)> diskCaller);
 
+    /// in memory nodedb
+    NodeDB();
+
     /// load all entries from disk syncrhonously
     void
     LoadFromDisk();
diff --git a/llarp/quic/connection.cpp b/llarp/quic/connection.cpp
index dfa262ec3..fddf8b56d 100644
--- a/llarp/quic/connection.cpp
+++ b/llarp/quic/connection.cpp
@@ -857,7 +857,8 @@ namespace llarp::quic
     if (!was_closing && stream.close_callback)
     {
       LogDebug("Invoke stream close callback");
-      stream.close_callback(stream, app_code == 0 ? std::nullopt : std::optional<uint64_t>{app_code});
+      stream.close_callback(
+          stream, app_code == 0 ? std::nullopt : std::optional<uint64_t>{app_code});
     }
 
     LogDebug("Erasing stream ", id, " from ", (void*)it->second.get());
@@ -866,10 +867,9 @@ namespace llarp::quic
     if (!ngtcp2_conn_is_local_stream(*this, id.id))
       ngtcp2_conn_extend_max_streams_bidi(*this, 1);
 
-    io_ready(); // Probably superfluous but sometimes we might need to send a FIN or something.
+    io_ready();  // Probably superfluous but sometimes we might need to send a FIN or something.
   }
 
-
   int
   Connection::stream_ack(StreamID id, size_t size)
   {
diff --git a/llarp/quic/tunnel.cpp b/llarp/quic/tunnel.cpp
index 8ce6595ed..e150b318e 100644
--- a/llarp/quic/tunnel.cpp
+++ b/llarp/quic/tunnel.cpp
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ namespace llarp::quic
           stream->data(nullptr);
           tcp.data(nullptr);
         }
-        tcp.closeReset();
+        // tcp.closeReset();
       });
       tcp.on<uvw::DataEvent>(on_outgoing_data);
       stream.data_callback = on_incoming_data;
diff --git a/llarp/router/router.cpp b/llarp/router/router.cpp
index dfaf0dec9..3f5844a69 100644
--- a/llarp/router/router.cpp
+++ b/llarp/router/router.cpp
@@ -497,11 +497,11 @@ namespace llarp
 
     std::vector<fs::path> configRouters = conf.connect.routers;
     configRouters.insert(
-        configRouters.end(), conf.bootstrap.routers.begin(), conf.bootstrap.routers.end());
+        configRouters.end(), conf.bootstrap.files.begin(), conf.bootstrap.files.end());
 
     // if our conf had no bootstrap files specified, try the default location of
     // <DATA_DIR>/bootstrap.signed. If this isn't present, leave a useful error message
-    if (configRouters.empty())
+    if (configRouters.empty() and conf.bootstrap.routers.empty())
     {
       // TODO: use constant
       fs::path defaultBootstrapFile = conf.router.m_dataDir / "bootstrap.signed";
@@ -549,6 +549,11 @@ namespace llarp
       }
     }
 
+    for (const auto& rc : conf.bootstrap.routers)
+    {
+      b_list.emplace(rc);
+    }
+
     for (auto& rc : b_list)
     {
       if (not rc.Verify(Now()))
@@ -559,7 +564,17 @@ namespace llarp
       bootstrapRCList.emplace(std::move(rc));
     }
 
-    LogInfo("Loaded ", bootstrapRCList.size(), " bootstrap routers");
+    if (bootstrapRCList.empty() and not conf.bootstrap.seednode)
+    {
+      throw std::runtime_error{"we have no bootstrap nodes"};
+    }
+
+    if (conf.bootstrap.seednode)
+    {
+      LogInfo("we are a seed node");
+    }
+    else
+      LogInfo("Loaded ", bootstrapRCList.size(), " bootstrap routers");
 
     // Init components after relevant config settings loaded
     _outboundMessageHandler.Init(&_linkManager, &_rcLookupHandler, _loop);
diff --git a/llarp/rpc/rpc_server.cpp b/llarp/rpc/rpc_server.cpp
index d00baebde..5a5ecf11b 100644
--- a/llarp/rpc/rpc_server.cpp
+++ b/llarp/rpc/rpc_server.cpp
@@ -259,7 +259,10 @@ namespace llarp::rpc
                     }
                     util::StatusObject result;
                     result["id"] = id;
-                    result["addr"] = ep->LocalAddress() + ":" + std::to_string(port);
+                    std::string localAddress;
+                    var::visit(
+                        [&](auto&& addr) { localAddress = addr.ToString(); }, ep->LocalAddress());
+                    result["addr"] = localAddress + ":" + std::to_string(port);
                     reply(CreateJSONResponse(result));
                   }
                   else if (closeID)
diff --git a/llarp/service/endpoint.cpp b/llarp/service/endpoint.cpp
index 5eb5ea3b2..89d5578b0 100644
--- a/llarp/service/endpoint.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/endpoint.cpp
@@ -346,7 +346,6 @@ namespace llarp
         itr->second.inbound = inbound;
         itr->second.remote = info;
       }
-      itr->second.lastUsed = Now();
     }
 
     size_t
@@ -383,7 +382,6 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       auto& s = Sessions()[tag];
       s.intro = intro;
-      s.lastUsed = Now();
     }
 
     bool
@@ -405,7 +403,6 @@ namespace llarp
         return;
       }
       itr->second.replyIntro = intro;
-      itr->second.lastUsed = Now();
     }
 
     bool
@@ -443,17 +440,18 @@ namespace llarp
         itr = Sessions().emplace(tag, Session{}).first;
       }
       itr->second.sharedKey = k;
-      itr->second.lastUsed = Now();
     }
 
     void
-    Endpoint::MarkConvoTagActive(const ConvoTag& tag)
+    Endpoint::ConvoTagTX(const ConvoTag& tag)
     {
-      auto itr = Sessions().find(tag);
-      if (itr != Sessions().end())
-      {
-        itr->second.lastUsed = Now();
-      }
+      Sessions()[tag].TX();
+    }
+
+    void
+    Endpoint::ConvoTagRX(const ConvoTag& tag)
+    {
+      Sessions()[tag].RX();
     }
 
     bool
@@ -1012,10 +1010,35 @@ namespace llarp
       return false;
     }
 
-    std::string
+    EndpointBase::AddressVariant_t
     Endpoint::LocalAddress() const
     {
-      return m_Identity.pub.Addr().ToString();
+      return m_Identity.pub.Addr();
+    }
+
+    inline void
+    AccumulateStats(const Session& session, EndpointBase::SendStat& stats)
+    {}
+
+    inline void
+    AccumulateStats(
+        const std::shared_ptr<exit::BaseSession>& session, EndpointBase::SendStat& stats)
+    {}
+
+    std::unordered_map<EndpointBase::AddressVariant_t, EndpointBase::SendStat>
+    Endpoint::GetStatistics() const
+    {
+      std::unordered_map<AddressVariant_t, SendStat> stats;
+      for (const auto& item : Sessions())
+      {
+        Address addr = item.second.remote.Addr();
+        AccumulateStats(item.second, stats[addr]);
+      }
+      for (const auto& item : m_state->m_SNodeSessions)
+      {
+        AccumulateStats(item.second.first, stats[item.first]);
+      }
+      return stats;
     }
 
     bool
@@ -1372,13 +1395,16 @@ namespace llarp
         {
           if (*ptr == m_Identity.pub.Addr())
           {
+            ConvoTagTX(tag);
             Loop()->wakeup();
-            return HandleInboundPacket(tag, pkt, t, 0);
+            if (not HandleInboundPacket(tag, pkt, t, 0))
+              return false;
+            ConvoTagRX(tag);
+            return true;
           }
         }
         if (not SendToOrQueue(*maybe, pkt, t))
           return false;
-        MarkConvoTagActive(tag);
         Loop()->wakeup();
         return true;
       }
@@ -1393,11 +1419,13 @@ namespace llarp
       auto pkt = std::make_shared<net::IPPacket>();
       if (!pkt->Load(buf))
         return false;
-      EnsurePathToSNode(
-          addr, [pkt, t](RouterID, exit::BaseSession_ptr s, [[maybe_unused]] ConvoTag tag) {
-            if (s)
-              s->SendPacketToRemote(pkt->ConstBuffer(), t);
-          });
+      EnsurePathToSNode(addr, [=](RouterID, exit::BaseSession_ptr s, ConvoTag tag) {
+        if (s)
+        {
+          ConvoTagTX(tag);
+          s->SendPacketToRemote(pkt->ConstBuffer(), t);
+        }
+      });
       return true;
     }
 
@@ -1428,7 +1456,7 @@ namespace llarp
             msg.seqno);
         if (HandleInboundPacket(msg.tag, msg.payload, msg.proto, msg.seqno))
         {
-          MarkConvoTagActive(msg.tag);
+          ConvoTagRX(msg.tag);
         }
         else
         {
@@ -1451,7 +1479,7 @@ namespace llarp
         SendEvent_t item = m_SendQueue.popFront();
         item.first->S = item.second->NextSeqNo();
         if (item.second->SendRoutingMessage(*item.first, router))
-          MarkConvoTagActive(item.first->T.T);
+          ConvoTagTX(item.first->T.T);
       }
 
       UpstreamFlush(router);
@@ -1542,7 +1570,7 @@ namespace llarp
           else
             tag.Randomize();
           PutSenderFor(tag, m_Identity.pub, true);
-          MarkConvoTagActive(tag);
+          ConvoTagTX(tag);
           Sessions()[tag].forever = true;
           Loop()->call_soon([tag, hook]() { hook(tag); });
           return true;
@@ -1648,10 +1676,14 @@ namespace llarp
             m->introReply = p->intro;
             PutReplyIntroFor(f.T, m->introReply);
             m->sender = m_Identity.pub;
-            m->seqno = GetSeqNoForConvo(f.T);
-            if (m->seqno == 0)
+            if (auto maybe = GetSeqNoForConvo(f.T))
+            {
+              m->seqno = *maybe;
+            }
+            else
             {
               LogWarn(Name(), " no session T=", f.T);
+              return false;
             }
             f.S = m->seqno;
             f.F = m->introReply.pathID;
@@ -1680,45 +1712,45 @@ namespace llarp
       }
 
       // Failed to find a suitable inbound convo, look for outbound
-        LogTrace("Not an inbound convo");
-        auto& sessions = m_state->m_RemoteSessions;
-        auto range = sessions.equal_range(remote);
-        for (auto itr = range.first; itr != range.second; ++itr)
+      LogTrace("Not an inbound convo");
+      auto& sessions = m_state->m_RemoteSessions;
+      auto range = sessions.equal_range(remote);
+      for (auto itr = range.first; itr != range.second; ++itr)
+      {
+        if (itr->second->ReadyToSend())
         {
-          if (itr->second->ReadyToSend())
-          {
-            LogTrace("Found an outbound session to use to reach ", remote);
-            itr->second->AsyncEncryptAndSendTo(data, t);
-            return true;
-          }
+          LogTrace("Found an outbound session to use to reach ", remote);
+          itr->second->AsyncEncryptAndSendTo(data, t);
+          return true;
         }
-        // if we want to make an outbound session
-        if (WantsOutboundSession(remote))
-        {
-          LogTrace("Making an outbound session and queuing the data");
-          // add pending traffic
-          auto& traffic = m_state->m_PendingTraffic;
-          traffic[remote].emplace_back(data, t);
-          EnsurePathToService(
-              remote,
-              [self = this](Address addr, OutboundContext* ctx) {
-                if (ctx)
-                {
-                  for (auto& pending : self->m_state->m_PendingTraffic[addr])
-                  {
-                    ctx->AsyncEncryptAndSendTo(pending.Buffer(), pending.protocol);
-                  }
-                }
-                else
+      }
+      // if we want to make an outbound session
+      if (WantsOutboundSession(remote))
+      {
+        LogTrace("Making an outbound session and queuing the data");
+        // add pending traffic
+        auto& traffic = m_state->m_PendingTraffic;
+        traffic[remote].emplace_back(data, t);
+        EnsurePathToService(
+            remote,
+            [self = this](Address addr, OutboundContext* ctx) {
+              if (ctx)
+              {
+                for (auto& pending : self->m_state->m_PendingTraffic[addr])
                 {
-                  LogWarn("no path made to ", addr);
+                  ctx->AsyncEncryptAndSendTo(pending.Buffer(), pending.protocol);
                 }
-                self->m_state->m_PendingTraffic.erase(addr);
-              },
-              1500ms);
-          return true;
-        }
-          LogDebug("SendOrQueue failed: no inbound/outbound sessions");
+              }
+              else
+              {
+                LogWarn("no path made to ", addr);
+              }
+              self->m_state->m_PendingTraffic.erase(addr);
+            },
+            1500ms);
+        return true;
+      }
+      LogDebug("SendOrQueue failed: no inbound/outbound sessions");
       return false;
     }
 
@@ -1735,14 +1767,13 @@ namespace llarp
       return Sessions().find(t) != Sessions().end();
     }
 
-    uint64_t
+    std::optional<uint64_t>
     Endpoint::GetSeqNoForConvo(const ConvoTag& tag)
     {
       auto itr = Sessions().find(tag);
       if (itr == Sessions().end())
-        return 0;
-      itr->second.seqno += 1;
-      return itr->second.seqno;
+        return std::nullopt;
+      return itr->second.seqno++;
     }
 
     bool
diff --git a/llarp/service/endpoint.hpp b/llarp/service/endpoint.hpp
index e2a174238..eee335ee7 100644
--- a/llarp/service/endpoint.hpp
+++ b/llarp/service/endpoint.hpp
@@ -136,9 +136,12 @@ namespace llarp
       std::string
       Name() const override;
 
-      std::string
+      AddressVariant_t
       LocalAddress() const override;
 
+      std::unordered_map<AddressVariant_t, SendStat>
+      GetStatistics() const override;
+
       bool
       ShouldPublishDescriptors(llarp_time_t now) const override;
 
@@ -332,7 +335,10 @@ namespace llarp
       RemoveConvoTag(const ConvoTag& remote) override;
 
       void
-      MarkConvoTagActive(const ConvoTag& remote) override;
+      ConvoTagTX(const ConvoTag& remote) override;
+
+      void
+      ConvoTagRX(const ConvoTag& remote) override;
 
       void
       PutReplyIntroFor(const ConvoTag& remote, const Introduction& intro) override;
@@ -346,7 +352,7 @@ namespace llarp
       void
       PutNewOutboundContext(const IntroSet& introset, llarp_time_t timeLeftToAlign);
 
-      uint64_t
+      std::optional<uint64_t>
       GetSeqNoForConvo(const ConvoTag& tag);
 
       bool
diff --git a/llarp/service/handler.hpp b/llarp/service/handler.hpp
index 0bea0d039..4ae29c8f3 100644
--- a/llarp/service/handler.hpp
+++ b/llarp/service/handler.hpp
@@ -33,8 +33,13 @@ namespace llarp
       virtual void
       PutCachedSessionKeyFor(const ConvoTag& remote, const SharedSecret& secret) = 0;
 
+      /// called when we send data to remote on a convotag
       virtual void
-      MarkConvoTagActive(const ConvoTag& tag) = 0;
+      ConvoTagTX(const ConvoTag& tag) = 0;
+
+      /// called when we got data from remote on a convotag
+      virtual void
+      ConvoTagRX(const ConvoTag& tag) = 0;
 
       virtual void
       RemoveConvoTag(const ConvoTag& remote) = 0;
diff --git a/llarp/service/protocol.cpp b/llarp/service/protocol.cpp
index b815d7e2e..6f0275ae9 100644
--- a/llarp/service/protocol.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/protocol.cpp
@@ -12,15 +12,17 @@ namespace llarp
 {
   namespace service
   {
-    std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream& o, ProtocolType t) {
-      return o <<
-        (t == ProtocolType::Control ? "Control" :
-         t == ProtocolType::TrafficV4 ? "TrafficV4" :
-         t == ProtocolType::TrafficV6 ? "TrafficV6" :
-         t == ProtocolType::Exit ? "Exit" :
-         t == ProtocolType::Auth ? "Auth" :
-         t == ProtocolType::QUIC ? "QUIC" :
-         "(unknown-protocol-type)");
+    std::ostream&
+    operator<<(std::ostream& o, ProtocolType t)
+    {
+      return o
+          << (t == ProtocolType::Control         ? "Control"
+                  : t == ProtocolType::TrafficV4 ? "TrafficV4"
+                  : t == ProtocolType::TrafficV6 ? "TrafficV6"
+                  : t == ProtocolType::Exit      ? "Exit"
+                  : t == ProtocolType::Auth      ? "Auth"
+                  : t == ProtocolType::QUIC      ? "QUIC"
+                                                 : "(unknown-protocol-type)");
     }
 
     ProtocolMessage::ProtocolMessage()
diff --git a/llarp/service/protocol.hpp b/llarp/service/protocol.hpp
index ab4dfd5f6..4093555e8 100644
--- a/llarp/service/protocol.hpp
+++ b/llarp/service/protocol.hpp
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ namespace llarp
 
     constexpr std::size_t MAX_PROTOCOL_MESSAGE_SIZE = 2048 * 2;
 
-    std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream& o, ProtocolType t);
+    std::ostream&
+    operator<<(std::ostream& o, ProtocolType t);
 
     /// inner message
     struct ProtocolMessage
diff --git a/llarp/service/sendcontext.cpp b/llarp/service/sendcontext.cpp
index 5ad25ce3c..5425839e2 100644
--- a/llarp/service/sendcontext.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/sendcontext.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ namespace llarp
           {
             lastGoodSend = r->Now();
             flushpaths.emplace(item.second);
-            m_Endpoint->MarkConvoTagActive(item.first->T.T);
+            m_Endpoint->ConvoTagTX(item.first->T.T);
             const auto rtt = (item.second->intro.latency + remoteIntro.latency) * 2;
             rttRMS += rtt * rtt.count();
           }
@@ -98,7 +98,15 @@ namespace llarp
       m_DataHandler->PutIntroFor(f->T, remoteIntro);
       m_DataHandler->PutReplyIntroFor(f->T, path->intro);
       m->proto = t;
-      m->seqno = m_Endpoint->GetSeqNoForConvo(f->T);
+      if (auto maybe = m_Endpoint->GetSeqNoForConvo(f->T))
+      {
+        m->seqno = *maybe;
+      }
+      else
+      {
+        LogWarn(m_Endpoint->Name(), " no session T=", f->T);
+        return;
+      }
       m->introReply = path->intro;
       f->F = m->introReply.pathID;
       m->sender = m_Endpoint->GetIdentity().pub;
diff --git a/llarp/service/session.cpp b/llarp/service/session.cpp
index 2fd3dbfdf..966b0a65b 100644
--- a/llarp/service/session.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/session.cpp
@@ -8,10 +8,13 @@ namespace llarp
     Session::ExtractStatus() const
     {
       util::StatusObject obj{
-          {"lastUsed", to_json(lastUsed)},
+          {"lastSend", to_json(lastSend)},
+          {"lastRecv", to_json(lastRecv)},
           {"replyIntro", replyIntro.ExtractStatus()},
           {"remote", remote.Addr().ToString()},
           {"seqno", seqno},
+          {"tx", messagesSend},
+          {"rx", messagesRecv},
           {"intro", intro.ExtractStatus()}};
       return obj;
     }
@@ -21,8 +24,23 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       if (forever)
         return false;
+      const auto lastUsed = std::max(lastSend, lastRecv);
       return now > lastUsed && (now - lastUsed > lifetime || intro.IsExpired(now));
     }
 
+    void
+    Session::TX()
+    {
+      messagesSend++;
+      lastSend = time_now_ms();
+    }
+
+    void
+    Session::RX()
+    {
+      messagesRecv++;
+      lastRecv = time_now_ms();
+    }
+
   }  // namespace service
 }  // namespace llarp
diff --git a/llarp/service/session.hpp b/llarp/service/session.hpp
index 035d922f4..414cbea91 100644
--- a/llarp/service/session.hpp
+++ b/llarp/service/session.hpp
@@ -21,15 +21,32 @@ namespace llarp
       ServiceInfo remote;
       /// the intro they have
       Introduction intro;
-      /// the intro remoet last sent on
-      Introduction lastInboundIntro;
-      llarp_time_t lastUsed = 0s;
+
+      /// the sequence number we are to use for the next message
       uint64_t seqno = 0;
+
+      /// number of remote messages we sent to them
+      uint64_t messagesSend = 0;
+      /// number of remote messages we got from them
+      uint64_t messagesRecv = 0;
+
       bool inbound = false;
       bool forever = false;
 
+      Duration_t lastSend{};
+      Duration_t lastRecv{};
+
       util::StatusObject
       ExtractStatus() const;
+
+      /// called to indicate we recieved on this session
+      void
+      RX();
+
+      /// called to indicate we transimitted on this session
+      void
+      TX();
+
       bool
       IsExpired(llarp_time_t now, llarp_time_t lifetime = SessionLifetime) const;
     };
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/logger.cpp b/llarp/util/logging/logger.cpp
index 908ffb8e0..4730e32b3 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/logger.cpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/logger.cpp
@@ -44,8 +44,7 @@ namespace llarp
     return LogType::Unknown;
   }
 
-  LogContext::LogContext()
-      : logStream(std::make_unique<Stream_t>(_LOGSTREAM_INIT)), started(llarp::time_now_ms())
+  LogContext::LogContext() : logStream{std::make_unique<Stream_t>(_LOGSTREAM_INIT)}
   {}
 
   LogContext&
@@ -71,9 +70,7 @@ namespace llarp
   {}
 
   log_timestamp::log_timestamp(const char* fmt)
-      : format(fmt)
-      , now(llarp::time_now_ms())
-      , delta(llarp::time_now_ms() - LogContext::Instance().started)
+      : format{fmt}, now{llarp::time_now_ms()}, delta{llarp::uptime()}
   {}
 
   void
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/logger.hpp b/llarp/util/logging/logger.hpp
index f6446625f..99c18b424 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/logger.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/logger.hpp
@@ -28,8 +28,6 @@ namespace llarp
     ILogStream_ptr logStream;
     std::string nodeName = "lokinet";
 
-    const llarp_time_t started;
-
     static LogContext&
     Instance();
 
diff --git a/llarp/util/logging/logger_internal.hpp b/llarp/util/logging/logger_internal.hpp
index 87f156cd3..06f0ac9b9 100644
--- a/llarp/util/logging/logger_internal.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/logging/logger_internal.hpp
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ namespace llarp
   struct log_timestamp
   {
     const char* format;
-    const llarp_time_t now;
-    const llarp_time_t delta;
+    const Duration_t now;
+    const Duration_t delta;
 
     log_timestamp();
 
diff --git a/llarp/util/time.cpp b/llarp/util/time.cpp
index dbdc0858e..4c9cde1f8 100644
--- a/llarp/util/time.cpp
+++ b/llarp/util/time.cpp
@@ -1,73 +1,55 @@
 #include "time.hpp"
 #include <chrono>
-#include <llarp/util/logging/logger.hpp>
 
 namespace llarp
 {
   using Clock_t = std::chrono::system_clock;
 
   template <typename Res, typename Clock>
-  static llarp_time_t
-  time_since_epoch()
+  static Duration_t
+  time_since_epoch(std::chrono::time_point<Clock> point)
   {
-    return std::chrono::duration_cast<Res>(Clock::now().time_since_epoch());
+    return std::chrono::duration_cast<Res>(point.time_since_epoch());
   }
 
-  const static llarp_time_t started_at_system =
-      time_since_epoch<std::chrono::milliseconds, Clock_t>();
+  const static auto started_at_system = Clock_t::now();
+
+  const static auto started_at_steady = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
+
+  uint64_t
+  ToMS(Duration_t ms)
+  {
+    return ms.count();
+  }
 
-  const static llarp_time_t started_at_steady =
-      time_since_epoch<std::chrono::milliseconds, std::chrono::steady_clock>();
   /// get our uptime in ms
-  static llarp_time_t
-  time_since_started()
+  Duration_t
+  uptime()
   {
-    return time_since_epoch<std::chrono::milliseconds, std::chrono::steady_clock>()
-        - started_at_steady;
+    return std::chrono::duration_cast<Duration_t>(
+        std::chrono::steady_clock::now() - started_at_steady);
   }
 
-  llarp_time_t
+  Duration_t
   time_now_ms()
   {
-    static llarp_time_t lastTime = 0s;
-    auto t = time_since_started();
+    auto t = uptime();
 #ifdef TESTNET_SPEED
-    t /= uint64_t(TESTNET_SPEED);
+    t /= uint64_t{TESTNET_SPEED};
 #endif
-    t += started_at_system;
-
-    if (t <= lastTime)
-    {
-      return lastTime;
-    }
-    if (lastTime == 0s)
-    {
-      lastTime = t;
-    }
-    const auto dlt = t - lastTime;
-    if (dlt > 5s)
-    {
-      // big timeskip
-      t = lastTime;
-      lastTime = 0s;
-    }
-    else
-    {
-      lastTime = t;
-    }
-    return t;
+    return t + time_since_epoch<Duration_t, Clock_t>(started_at_system);
   }
 
   nlohmann::json
-  to_json(const llarp_time_t& t)
+  to_json(const Duration_t& t)
   {
-    return t.count();
+    return ToMS(t);
   }
 
   std::ostream&
-  operator<<(std::ostream& out, const llarp_time_t& t)
+  operator<<(std::ostream& out, const Duration_t& t)
   {
-    std::chrono::milliseconds amount = t;
+    std::chrono::milliseconds amount{ToMS(t)};
     auto h = std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::hours>(amount);
     amount -= h;
     auto m = std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::minutes>(amount);
diff --git a/llarp/util/time.hpp b/llarp/util/time.hpp
index f248af948..d5f558f8c 100644
--- a/llarp/util/time.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/time.hpp
@@ -2,19 +2,28 @@
 
 #include "types.hpp"
 #include <nlohmann/json.hpp>
+#include <iostream>
 
 using namespace std::chrono_literals;
 
 namespace llarp
 {
   /// get time right now as milliseconds, this is monotonic
-  llarp_time_t
+  Duration_t
   time_now_ms();
 
+  /// get the uptime of the process
+  Duration_t
+  uptime();
+
+  /// convert to milliseconds
+  uint64_t
+  ToMS(Duration_t duration);
+
   std::ostream&
-  operator<<(std::ostream& out, const llarp_time_t& t);
+  operator<<(std::ostream& out, const Duration_t& t);
 
   nlohmann::json
-  to_json(const llarp_time_t& t);
+  to_json(const Duration_t& t);
 
 }  // namespace llarp
diff --git a/llarp/util/types.hpp b/llarp/util/types.hpp
index 6538ad048..cd86b4d04 100644
--- a/llarp/util/types.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/types.hpp
@@ -6,9 +6,14 @@
 using byte_t = uint8_t;
 using llarp_proto_version_t = std::uint8_t;
 
-using llarp_time_t = std::chrono::milliseconds;
-
 namespace llarp
 {
+  using Duration_t = std::chrono::milliseconds;
   using namespace std::literals;
-}
+
+  /// convert to milliseconds
+  uint64_t
+  ToMS(Duration_t duration);
+}  // namespace llarp
+
+using llarp_time_t = llarp::Duration_t;