diff --git a/Builds/CMake/RippledCore.cmake b/Builds/CMake/RippledCore.cmake
index 82b27ee18..4d0bfb2de 100644
--- a/Builds/CMake/RippledCore.cmake
+++ b/Builds/CMake/RippledCore.cmake
@@ -859,6 +859,7 @@ target_sources (rippled PRIVATE
   src/test/overlay/short_read_test.cpp
   src/test/overlay/compression_test.cpp
   src/test/overlay/reduce_relay_test.cpp
+  src/test/overlay/handshake_test.cpp
   #[===============================[
      test sources:
        subdir: peerfinder
diff --git a/bin/ci/ubuntu/build-and-test.sh b/bin/ci/ubuntu/build-and-test.sh
index 92d8bc10e..7ae75f2b1 100755
--- a/bin/ci/ubuntu/build-and-test.sh
+++ b/bin/ci/ubuntu/build-and-test.sh
@@ -168,6 +168,7 @@ else
         'ripple.tx.OversizeMeta'
         'ripple.consensus.DistributedValidators'
         'ripple.app.NoRippleCheckLimits'
+        'ripple.ripple_data.compression'
         'ripple.NodeStore.Timing'
         'ripple.consensus.ByzantineFailureSim'
         'beast.chrono.abstract_clock'
diff --git a/src/ripple/beast/rfc2616.h b/src/ripple/beast/rfc2616.h
index deac23550..5aff5526a 100644
--- a/src/ripple/beast/rfc2616.h
+++ b/src/ripple/beast/rfc2616.h
@@ -37,6 +37,19 @@ namespace rfc2616 {
 
 namespace detail {
 
+struct ci_equal_pred
+{
+    explicit ci_equal_pred() = default;
+
+    bool
+    operator()(char c1, char c2)
+    {
+        // VFALCO TODO Use a table lookup here
+        return std::tolower(static_cast<unsigned char>(c1)) ==
+            std::tolower(static_cast<unsigned char>(c2));
+    }
+};
+
 /** Returns `true` if `c` is linear white space.
 
     This excludes the CRLF sequence allowed for line continuations.
@@ -195,6 +208,179 @@ split_commas(boost::beast::string_view const& s)
     return split_commas(s.begin(), s.end());
 }
 
+//------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/** Iterates through a comma separated list.
+
+    Meets the requirements of ForwardIterator.
+
+    List defined in rfc2616 2.1.
+
+    @note Values returned may contain backslash escapes.
+*/
+class list_iterator
+{
+    using iter_type = boost::string_ref::const_iterator;
+
+    iter_type it_;
+    iter_type end_;
+    boost::string_ref value_;
+
+public:
+    using value_type = boost::string_ref;
+    using pointer = value_type const*;
+    using reference = value_type const&;
+    using difference_type = std::ptrdiff_t;
+    using iterator_category = std::forward_iterator_tag;
+
+    list_iterator(iter_type begin, iter_type end) : it_(begin), end_(end)
+    {
+        if (it_ != end_)
+            increment();
+    }
+
+    bool
+    operator==(list_iterator const& other) const
+    {
+        return other.it_ == it_ && other.end_ == end_ &&
+            other.value_.size() == value_.size();
+    }
+
+    bool
+    operator!=(list_iterator const& other) const
+    {
+        return !(*this == other);
+    }
+
+    reference
+    operator*() const
+    {
+        return value_;
+    }
+
+    pointer
+    operator->() const
+    {
+        return &*(*this);
+    }
+
+    list_iterator&
+    operator++()
+    {
+        increment();
+        return *this;
+    }
+
+    list_iterator
+    operator++(int)
+    {
+        auto temp = *this;
+        ++(*this);
+        return temp;
+    }
+
+private:
+    template <class = void>
+    void
+    increment();
+};
+
+template <class>
+void
+list_iterator::increment()
+{
+    using namespace detail;
+    value_.clear();
+    while (it_ != end_)
+    {
+        if (*it_ == '"')
+        {
+            // quoted-string
+            ++it_;
+            if (it_ == end_)
+                return;
+            if (*it_ != '"')
+            {
+                auto start = it_;
+                for (;;)
+                {
+                    ++it_;
+                    if (it_ == end_)
+                    {
+                        value_ = boost::string_ref(
+                            &*start, std::distance(start, it_));
+                        return;
+                    }
+                    if (*it_ == '"')
+                    {
+                        value_ = boost::string_ref(
+                            &*start, std::distance(start, it_));
+                        ++it_;
+                        return;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            ++it_;
+        }
+        else if (*it_ == ',')
+        {
+            it_++;
+            continue;
+        }
+        else if (is_lws(*it_))
+        {
+            ++it_;
+            continue;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            auto start = it_;
+            for (;;)
+            {
+                ++it_;
+                if (it_ == end_ || *it_ == ',' || is_lws(*it_))
+                {
+                    value_ =
+                        boost::string_ref(&*start, std::distance(start, it_));
+                    return;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+/** Returns true if two strings are equal.
+
+    A case-insensitive comparison is used.
+*/
+inline bool
+ci_equal(boost::string_ref s1, boost::string_ref s2)
+{
+    return boost::range::equal(s1, s2, detail::ci_equal_pred{});
+}
+
+/** Returns a range representing the list. */
+inline boost::iterator_range<list_iterator>
+make_list(boost::string_ref const& field)
+{
+    return boost::iterator_range<list_iterator>{
+        list_iterator{field.begin(), field.end()},
+        list_iterator{field.end(), field.end()}};
+}
+
+/** Returns true if the specified token exists in the list.
+
+    A case-insensitive comparison is used.
+*/
+template <class = void>
+bool
+token_in_list(boost::string_ref const& value, boost::string_ref const& token)
+{
+    for (auto const& item : make_list(value))
+        if (ci_equal(item, token))
+            return true;
+    return false;
+}
+
 template <bool isRequest, class Body, class Fields>
 bool
 is_keep_alive(boost::beast::http::message<isRequest, Body, Fields> const& m)
diff --git a/src/ripple/core/Config.h b/src/ripple/core/Config.h
index 08582d4f2..5d948ef0b 100644
--- a/src/ripple/core/Config.h
+++ b/src/ripple/core/Config.h
@@ -191,10 +191,18 @@ public:
     std::size_t WORKERS = 0;
 
     // Reduce-relay - these parameters are experimental.
-    // Enable reduce-relay functionality
-    bool REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE = false;
-    // Send squelch message to peers
-    bool REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH = false;
+    // Enable reduce-relay features
+    // Validation/proposal reduce-relay feature
+    bool VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE = false;
+    // Send squelch message to peers. Generally this config should
+    // have the same value as VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE. It can be
+    // used for testing the feature's function without
+    // affecting the message relaying. To use it for testing,
+    // set it to false and set VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE to true.
+    // Squelch messages will not be sent to the peers in this case.
+    // Set log level to debug so that the feature function can be
+    // analyzed.
+    bool VP_REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH = false;
 
     // These override the command line client settings
     boost::optional<beast::IP::Endpoint> rpc_ip;
diff --git a/src/ripple/core/impl/Config.cpp b/src/ripple/core/impl/Config.cpp
index f69c3e441..9275fabb1 100644
--- a/src/ripple/core/impl/Config.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/core/impl/Config.cpp
@@ -523,8 +523,8 @@ Config::loadFromString(std::string const& fileContents)
     if (exists(SECTION_REDUCE_RELAY))
     {
         auto sec = section(SECTION_REDUCE_RELAY);
-        REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE = sec.value_or("enable", false);
-        REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH = sec.value_or("squelch", false);
+        VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE = sec.value_or("vp_enable", false);
+        VP_REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH = sec.value_or("vp_squelch", false);
     }
 
     if (getSingleSection(secConfig, SECTION_MAX_TRANSACTIONS, strTemp, j_))
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/Overlay.h b/src/ripple/overlay/Overlay.h
index cf37cf72b..a9c52dd77 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/Overlay.h
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/Overlay.h
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ public:
         beast::IP::Address public_ip;
         int ipLimit = 0;
         std::uint32_t crawlOptions = 0;
-        boost::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID;
+        std::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID;
         bool vlEnabled = true;
     };
 
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/SquelchCommon.h b/src/ripple/overlay/ReduceRelayCommon.h
similarity index 66%
rename from src/ripple/overlay/SquelchCommon.h
rename to src/ripple/overlay/ReduceRelayCommon.h
index dea68a72d..5e7f585d8 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/SquelchCommon.h
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/ReduceRelayCommon.h
@@ -17,22 +17,26 @@
 */
 //==============================================================================
 
-#ifndef RIPPLE_OVERLAY_SQUELCHCOMMON_H_INCLUDED
-#define RIPPLE_OVERLAY_SQUELCHCOMMON_H_INCLUDED
+#ifndef RIPPLE_OVERLAY_REDUCERELAYCOMMON_H_INCLUDED
+#define RIPPLE_OVERLAY_REDUCERELAYCOMMON_H_INCLUDED
+
 #include <chrono>
 
 namespace ripple {
 
-namespace squelch {
-
-using namespace std::chrono;
+namespace reduce_relay {
 
 // Peer's squelch is limited in time to
-// rand{MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE, MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE}
-static constexpr seconds MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE = seconds{300};
-static constexpr seconds MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE = seconds{600};
+// rand{MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE, max_squelch},
+// where max_squelch is
+// min(max(MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_DEFAULT, SQUELCH_PER_PEER * number_of_peers),
+//     MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_PEERS)
+static constexpr auto MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE = std::chrono::seconds{300};
+static constexpr auto MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_DEFAULT = std::chrono::seconds{600};
+static constexpr auto SQUELCH_PER_PEER = std::chrono::seconds(10);
+static constexpr auto MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_PEERS = std::chrono::seconds{3600};
 // No message received threshold before identifying a peer as idled
-static constexpr seconds IDLED = seconds{8};
+static constexpr auto IDLED = std::chrono::seconds{8};
 // Message count threshold to start selecting peers as the source
 // of messages from the validator. We add peers who reach
 // MIN_MESSAGE_THRESHOLD to considered pool once MAX_SELECTED_PEERS
@@ -40,13 +44,13 @@ static constexpr seconds IDLED = seconds{8};
 static constexpr uint16_t MIN_MESSAGE_THRESHOLD = 9;
 static constexpr uint16_t MAX_MESSAGE_THRESHOLD = 10;
 // Max selected peers to choose as the source of messages from validator
-static constexpr uint16_t MAX_SELECTED_PEERS = 3;
+static constexpr uint16_t MAX_SELECTED_PEERS = 5;
 // Wait before reduce-relay feature is enabled on boot up to let
 // the server establish peer connections
-static constexpr minutes WAIT_ON_BOOTUP = minutes{10};
+static constexpr auto WAIT_ON_BOOTUP = std::chrono::minutes{10};
 
-}  // namespace squelch
+}  // namespace reduce_relay
 
 }  // namespace ripple
 
-#endif  // RIPPLED_SQUELCHCOMMON_H
+#endif  // RIPPLED_REDUCERELAYCOMMON_H_INCLUDED
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/Slot.h b/src/ripple/overlay/Slot.h
index 57d1c137a..dbb48a921 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/Slot.h
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/Slot.h
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
 #include <ripple/beast/container/aged_unordered_map.h>
 #include <ripple/beast/utility/Journal.h>
 #include <ripple/overlay/Peer.h>
+#include <ripple/overlay/ReduceRelayCommon.h>
 #include <ripple/overlay/Squelch.h>
-#include <ripple/overlay/SquelchCommon.h>
 #include <ripple/protocol/PublicKey.h>
 #include <ripple.pb.h>
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 
 namespace ripple {
 
-namespace squelch {
+namespace reduce_relay {
 
 template <typename clock_type>
 class Slots;
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ template <typename Unit, typename TP>
 Unit
 epoch(TP const& t)
 {
-    return duration_cast<Unit>(t.time_since_epoch());
+    return std::chrono::duration_cast<Unit>(t.time_since_epoch());
 }
 
 /** Abstract class. Declares squelch and unsquelch handlers.
@@ -124,10 +124,10 @@ private:
     /** Update peer info. If the message is from a new
      * peer or from a previously expired squelched peer then switch
      * the peer's and slot's state to Counting. If time of last
-     * selection round is > 2 * MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE then switch the slot's
-     * state to Counting. If the number of messages for the peer
-     * is > MIN_MESSAGE_THRESHOLD then add peer to considered peers pool.
-     * If the number of considered peers who reached MAX_MESSAGE_THRESHOLD is
+     * selection round is > 2 * MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_DEFAULT then switch the
+     * slot's state to Counting. If the number of messages for the peer is >
+     * MIN_MESSAGE_THRESHOLD then add peer to considered peers pool. If the
+     * number of considered peers who reached MAX_MESSAGE_THRESHOLD is
      * MAX_SELECTED_PEERS then randomly select MAX_SELECTED_PEERS from
      * considered peers, and call squelch handler for each peer, which is not
      * selected and not already in Squelched state. Set the state for those
@@ -197,6 +197,14 @@ private:
     void
     deleteIdlePeer(PublicKey const& validator);
 
+    /** Get random squelch duration between MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE and
+     * min(max(MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_DEFAULT, SQUELCH_PER_PEER * npeers),
+     *     MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_PEERS)
+     * @param npeers number of peers that can be squelched in the Slot
+     */
+    std::chrono::seconds
+    getSquelchDuration(std::size_t npeers);
+
 private:
     /** Reset counts of peers in Selected or Counting state */
     void
@@ -231,6 +239,7 @@ template <typename clock_type>
 void
 Slot<clock_type>::deleteIdlePeer(PublicKey const& validator)
 {
+    using namespace std::chrono;
     auto now = clock_type::now();
     for (auto it = peers_.begin(); it != peers_.end();)
     {
@@ -239,7 +248,7 @@ Slot<clock_type>::deleteIdlePeer(PublicKey const& validator)
         ++it;
         if (now - peer.lastMessage > IDLED)
         {
-            JLOG(journal_.debug())
+            JLOG(journal_.trace())
                 << "deleteIdlePeer: " << Slice(validator) << " " << id
                 << " idled "
                 << duration_cast<seconds>(now - peer.lastMessage).count()
@@ -256,12 +265,13 @@ Slot<clock_type>::update(
     id_t id,
     protocol::MessageType type)
 {
+    using namespace std::chrono;
     auto now = clock_type::now();
     auto it = peers_.find(id);
     // First message from this peer
     if (it == peers_.end())
     {
-        JLOG(journal_.debug())
+        JLOG(journal_.trace())
             << "update: adding peer " << Slice(validator) << " " << id;
         peers_.emplace(
             std::make_pair(id, PeerInfo{PeerState::Counting, 0, now, now}));
@@ -271,7 +281,7 @@ Slot<clock_type>::update(
     // Message from a peer with expired squelch
     if (it->second.state == PeerState::Squelched && now > it->second.expire)
     {
-        JLOG(journal_.debug())
+        JLOG(journal_.trace())
             << "update: squelch expired " << Slice(validator) << " " << id;
         it->second.state = PeerState::Counting;
         it->second.lastMessage = now;
@@ -281,7 +291,7 @@ Slot<clock_type>::update(
 
     auto& peer = it->second;
 
-    JLOG(journal_.debug())
+    JLOG(journal_.trace())
         << "update: existing peer " << Slice(validator) << " " << id
         << " slot state " << static_cast<int>(state_) << " peer state "
         << static_cast<int>(peer.state) << " count " << peer.count << " last "
@@ -299,9 +309,9 @@ Slot<clock_type>::update(
     if (peer.count == (MAX_MESSAGE_THRESHOLD + 1))
         ++reachedThreshold_;
 
-    if (now - lastSelected_ > 2 * MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE)
+    if (now - lastSelected_ > 2 * MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_DEFAULT)
     {
-        JLOG(journal_.debug())
+        JLOG(journal_.trace())
             << "update: resetting due to inactivity " << Slice(validator) << " "
             << id << " " << duration_cast<seconds>(now - lastSelected_).count();
         initCounting();
@@ -338,7 +348,7 @@ Slot<clock_type>::update(
 
         if (selected.size() != MAX_SELECTED_PEERS)
         {
-            JLOG(journal_.debug())
+            JLOG(journal_.trace())
                 << "update: selection failed " << Slice(validator) << " " << id;
             initCounting();
             return;
@@ -347,11 +357,13 @@ Slot<clock_type>::update(
         lastSelected_ = now;
 
         auto s = selected.begin();
-        JLOG(journal_.debug())
+        JLOG(journal_.trace())
             << "update: " << Slice(validator) << " " << id << " pool size "
             << consideredPoolSize << " selected " << *s << " "
             << *std::next(s, 1) << " " << *std::next(s, 2);
 
+        assert(peers_.size() >= MAX_SELECTED_PEERS);
+
         // squelch peers which are not selected and
         // not already squelched
         std::stringstream str;
@@ -363,18 +375,16 @@ Slot<clock_type>::update(
                 v.state = PeerState::Selected;
             else if (v.state != PeerState::Squelched)
             {
-                if (journal_.debug())
+                if (journal_.trace())
                     str << k << " ";
                 v.state = PeerState::Squelched;
-                auto duration = Squelch<clock_type>::getSquelchDuration();
+                std::chrono::seconds duration =
+                    getSquelchDuration(peers_.size() - MAX_SELECTED_PEERS);
                 v.expire = now + duration;
-                handler_.squelch(
-                    validator,
-                    k,
-                    duration_cast<milliseconds>(duration).count());
+                handler_.squelch(validator, k, duration.count());
             }
         }
-        JLOG(journal_.debug()) << "update: squelching " << Slice(validator)
+        JLOG(journal_.trace()) << "update: squelching " << Slice(validator)
                                << " " << id << " " << str.str();
         considered_.clear();
         reachedThreshold_ = 0;
@@ -382,6 +392,22 @@ Slot<clock_type>::update(
     }
 }
 
+template <typename clock_type>
+std::chrono::seconds
+Slot<clock_type>::getSquelchDuration(std::size_t npeers)
+{
+    using namespace std::chrono;
+    auto m = std::max(
+        MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_DEFAULT, seconds{SQUELCH_PER_PEER * npeers});
+    if (m > MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_PEERS)
+    {
+        m = MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_PEERS;
+        JLOG(journal_.warn())
+            << "getSquelchDuration: unexpected squelch duration " << npeers;
+    }
+    return seconds{ripple::rand_int(MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE / 1s, m / 1s)};
+}
+
 template <typename clock_type>
 void
 Slot<clock_type>::deletePeer(PublicKey const& validator, id_t id, bool erase)
@@ -389,7 +415,7 @@ Slot<clock_type>::deletePeer(PublicKey const& validator, id_t id, bool erase)
     auto it = peers_.find(id);
     if (it != peers_.end())
     {
-        JLOG(journal_.debug())
+        JLOG(journal_.trace())
             << "deletePeer: " << Slice(validator) << " " << id << " selected "
             << (it->second.state == PeerState::Selected) << " considered "
             << (considered_.find(id) != considered_.end()) << " erase "
@@ -486,6 +512,7 @@ std::unordered_map<
     std::tuple<PeerState, uint16_t, uint32_t, uint32_t>>
 Slot<clock_type>::getPeers() const
 {
+    using namespace std::chrono;
     auto init = std::unordered_map<
         id_t,
         std::tuple<PeerState, std::uint16_t, std::uint32_t, std::uint32_t>>();
@@ -531,7 +558,6 @@ public:
      * @param key Message's hash
      * @param validator Validator's public key
      * @param id Peer's id which received the message
-     * @param id Peer's pointer which received the message
      * @param type Received protocol message type
      */
     void
@@ -643,7 +669,7 @@ template <typename clock_type>
 bool
 Slots<clock_type>::addPeerMessage(uint256 const& key, id_t id)
 {
-    beast::expire(peersWithMessage_, squelch::IDLED);
+    beast::expire(peersWithMessage_, reduce_relay::IDLED);
 
     if (key.isNonZero())
     {
@@ -686,7 +712,7 @@ Slots<clock_type>::updateSlotAndSquelch(
     auto it = slots_.find(validator);
     if (it == slots_.end())
     {
-        JLOG(journal_.debug())
+        JLOG(journal_.trace())
             << "updateSlotAndSquelch: new slot " << Slice(validator);
         auto it = slots_
                       .emplace(std::make_pair(
@@ -716,9 +742,9 @@ Slots<clock_type>::deleteIdlePeers()
     for (auto it = slots_.begin(); it != slots_.end();)
     {
         it->second.deleteIdlePeer(it->first);
-        if (now - it->second.getLastSelected() > MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE)
+        if (now - it->second.getLastSelected() > MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_DEFAULT)
         {
-            JLOG(journal_.debug())
+            JLOG(journal_.trace())
                 << "deleteIdlePeers: deleting idle slot " << Slice(it->first);
             it = slots_.erase(it);
         }
@@ -727,7 +753,7 @@ Slots<clock_type>::deleteIdlePeers()
     }
 }
 
-}  // namespace squelch
+}  // namespace reduce_relay
 
 }  // namespace ripple
 
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/Squelch.h b/src/ripple/overlay/Squelch.h
index ab2fa65fb..175c80a0a 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/Squelch.h
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/Squelch.h
@@ -21,15 +21,17 @@
 #define RIPPLE_OVERLAY_SQUELCH_H_INCLUDED
 
 #include <ripple/basics/random.h>
-#include <ripple/overlay/SquelchCommon.h>
+#include <ripple/beast/utility/Journal.h>
+#include <ripple/overlay/ReduceRelayCommon.h>
 #include <ripple/protocol/PublicKey.h>
 
+#include <algorithm>
 #include <chrono>
 #include <functional>
 
 namespace ripple {
 
-namespace squelch {
+namespace reduce_relay {
 
 /** Maintains squelching of relaying messages from validators */
 template <typename clock_type>
@@ -38,84 +40,89 @@ class Squelch
     using time_point = typename clock_type::time_point;
 
 public:
-    Squelch() = default;
+    explicit Squelch(beast::Journal journal) : journal_(journal)
+    {
+    }
     virtual ~Squelch() = default;
 
-    /** Squelch/Unsquelch relaying for the validator
+    /** Squelch validation/proposal relaying for the validator
      * @param validator The validator's public key
-     * @param squelch Squelch/unsquelch flag
-     * @param squelchDuration Squelch duration time if squelch is true
-     */
-    void
-    squelch(PublicKey const& validator, bool squelch, uint64_t squelchDuration);
-
-    /** Are the messages to this validator squelched
-     * @param validator Validator's public key
-     * @return true if squelched
+     * @param squelchDuration Squelch duration in seconds
+     * @return false if invalid squelch duration
      */
     bool
-    isSquelched(PublicKey const& validator);
+    addSquelch(
+        PublicKey const& validator,
+        std::chrono::seconds const& squelchDuration);
 
-    /** Get random squelch duration between MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE and
-     * MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE */
-    static seconds
-    getSquelchDuration();
+    /** Remove the squelch
+     * @param validator The validator's public key
+     */
+    void
+    removeSquelch(PublicKey const& validator);
+
+    /** Remove expired squelch
+     * @param validator Validator's public key
+     * @return true if removed or doesn't exist, false if still active
+     */
+    bool
+    expireSquelch(PublicKey const& validator);
 
 private:
     /** Maintains the list of squelched relaying to downstream peers.
      * Expiration time is included in the TMSquelch message. */
     hash_map<PublicKey, time_point> squelched_;
+    beast::Journal const journal_;
 };
 
-template <typename clock_type>
-void
-Squelch<clock_type>::squelch(
-    PublicKey const& validator,
-    bool squelch,
-    uint64_t squelchDuration)
-{
-    if (squelch)
-    {
-        squelched_[validator] = [squelchDuration]() {
-            seconds duration = seconds(squelchDuration);
-            return clock_type::now() +
-                ((duration >= MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE &&
-                  duration <= MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE)
-                     ? duration
-                     : getSquelchDuration());
-        }();
-    }
-    else
-        squelched_.erase(validator);
-}
-
 template <typename clock_type>
 bool
-Squelch<clock_type>::isSquelched(PublicKey const& validator)
+Squelch<clock_type>::addSquelch(
+    PublicKey const& validator,
+    std::chrono::seconds const& squelchDuration)
 {
-    auto now = clock_type::now();
-
-    auto const& it = squelched_.find(validator);
-    if (it == squelched_.end())
-        return false;
-    else if (it->second > now)
+    if (squelchDuration >= MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE &&
+        squelchDuration <= MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_PEERS)
+    {
+        squelched_[validator] = clock_type::now() + squelchDuration;
         return true;
+    }
 
-    squelched_.erase(it);
+    JLOG(journal_.error()) << "squelch: invalid squelch duration "
+                           << squelchDuration.count();
+
+    // unsquelch if invalid duration
+    removeSquelch(validator);
 
     return false;
 }
 
 template <typename clock_type>
-seconds
-Squelch<clock_type>::getSquelchDuration()
+void
+Squelch<clock_type>::removeSquelch(PublicKey const& validator)
 {
-    auto d = seconds(ripple::rand_int(
-        MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE.count(), MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE.count()));
-    return d;
+    squelched_.erase(validator);
 }
 
-}  // namespace squelch
+template <typename clock_type>
+bool
+Squelch<clock_type>::expireSquelch(PublicKey const& validator)
+{
+    auto now = clock_type::now();
+
+    auto const& it = squelched_.find(validator);
+    if (it == squelched_.end())
+        return true;
+    else if (it->second > now)
+        return false;
+
+    // squelch expired
+    squelched_.erase(it);
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+}  // namespace reduce_relay
 
 }  // namespace ripple
 
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/ConnectAttempt.cpp b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/ConnectAttempt.cpp
index f980cdb12..62b8e3733 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/ConnectAttempt.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/ConnectAttempt.cpp
@@ -202,7 +202,9 @@ ConnectAttempt::onHandshake(error_code ec)
         return close();  // makeSharedValue logs
 
     req_ = makeRequest(
-        !overlay_.peerFinder().config().peerPrivate, app_.config().COMPRESSION);
+        !overlay_.peerFinder().config().peerPrivate,
+        app_.config().COMPRESSION,
+        app_.config().VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE);
 
     buildHandshake(
         req_,
@@ -281,23 +283,6 @@ ConnectAttempt::onShutdown(error_code ec)
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-auto
-ConnectAttempt::makeRequest(bool crawl, bool compressionEnabled) -> request_type
-{
-    request_type m;
-    m.method(boost::beast::http::verb::get);
-    m.target("/");
-    m.version(11);
-    m.insert("User-Agent", BuildInfo::getFullVersionString());
-    m.insert("Upgrade", supportedProtocolVersions());
-    m.insert("Connection", "Upgrade");
-    m.insert("Connect-As", "Peer");
-    m.insert("Crawl", crawl ? "public" : "private");
-    if (compressionEnabled)
-        m.insert("X-Offer-Compression", "lz4");
-    return m;
-}
-
 void
 ConnectAttempt::processResponse()
 {
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/ConnectAttempt.h b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/ConnectAttempt.h
index 92c31f28e..65eac6809 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/ConnectAttempt.h
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/ConnectAttempt.h
@@ -104,10 +104,6 @@ private:
     onRead(error_code ec);
     void
     onShutdown(error_code ec);
-
-    static request_type
-    makeRequest(bool crawl, bool compressionEnabled);
-
     void
     processResponse();
 
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/Handshake.cpp b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/Handshake.cpp
index d2f6f966d..e43b7199c 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/Handshake.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/Handshake.cpp
@@ -34,6 +34,67 @@
 
 namespace ripple {
 
+std::optional<std::string>
+getFeatureValue(
+    boost::beast::http::fields const& headers,
+    std::string const& feature)
+{
+    auto const header = headers.find("X-Protocol-Ctl");
+    if (header == headers.end())
+        return {};
+    boost::smatch match;
+    boost::regex rx(feature + "=([^;\\s]+)");
+    auto const value = header->value().to_string();
+    if (boost::regex_search(value, match, rx))
+        return {match[1]};
+    return {};
+}
+
+bool
+isFeatureValue(
+    boost::beast::http::fields const& headers,
+    std::string const& feature,
+    std::string const& value)
+{
+    if (auto const fvalue = getFeatureValue(headers, feature))
+        return beast::rfc2616::token_in_list(fvalue.value(), value);
+
+    return false;
+}
+
+bool
+featureEnabled(
+    boost::beast::http::fields const& headers,
+    std::string const& feature)
+{
+    return isFeatureValue(headers, feature, "1");
+}
+
+std::string
+makeFeaturesRequestHeader(bool comprEnabled, bool vpReduceRelayEnabled)
+{
+    std::stringstream str;
+    if (comprEnabled)
+        str << FEATURE_COMPR << "=lz4" << DELIM_FEATURE;
+    if (vpReduceRelayEnabled)
+        str << FEATURE_VPRR << "=1";
+    return str.str();
+}
+
+std::string
+makeFeaturesResponseHeader(
+    http_request_type const& headers,
+    bool comprEnabled,
+    bool vpReduceRelayEnabled)
+{
+    std::stringstream str;
+    if (comprEnabled && isFeatureValue(headers, FEATURE_COMPR, "lz4"))
+        str << FEATURE_COMPR << "=lz4" << DELIM_FEATURE;
+    if (vpReduceRelayEnabled && featureEnabled(headers, FEATURE_VPRR))
+        str << FEATURE_VPRR << "=1";
+    return str.str();
+}
+
 /** Hashes the latest finished message from an SSL stream.
 
     @param ssl the session to get the message from.
@@ -48,7 +109,7 @@ namespace ripple {
           this topic, see https://github.com/openssl/openssl/issues/5509 and
           https://github.com/ripple/rippled/issues/2413.
 */
-static boost::optional<base_uint<512>>
+static std::optional<base_uint<512>>
 hashLastMessage(SSL const* ssl, size_t (*get)(const SSL*, void*, size_t))
 {
     constexpr std::size_t sslMinimumFinishedLength = 12;
@@ -57,7 +118,7 @@ hashLastMessage(SSL const* ssl, size_t (*get)(const SSL*, void*, size_t))
     size_t len = get(ssl, buf, sizeof(buf));
 
     if (len < sslMinimumFinishedLength)
-        return boost::none;
+        return std::nullopt;
 
     sha512_hasher h;
 
@@ -66,14 +127,14 @@ hashLastMessage(SSL const* ssl, size_t (*get)(const SSL*, void*, size_t))
     return cookie;
 }
 
-boost::optional<uint256>
+std::optional<uint256>
 makeSharedValue(stream_type& ssl, beast::Journal journal)
 {
     auto const cookie1 = hashLastMessage(ssl.native_handle(), SSL_get_finished);
     if (!cookie1)
     {
         JLOG(journal.error()) << "Cookie generation: local setup not complete";
-        return boost::none;
+        return std::nullopt;
     }
 
     auto const cookie2 =
@@ -81,7 +142,7 @@ makeSharedValue(stream_type& ssl, beast::Journal journal)
     if (!cookie2)
     {
         JLOG(journal.error()) << "Cookie generation: peer setup not complete";
-        return boost::none;
+        return std::nullopt;
     }
 
     auto const result = (*cookie1 ^ *cookie2);
@@ -92,7 +153,7 @@ makeSharedValue(stream_type& ssl, beast::Journal journal)
     {
         JLOG(journal.error())
             << "Cookie generation: identical finished messages";
-        return boost::none;
+        return std::nullopt;
     }
 
     return sha512Half(Slice(result.data(), result.size()));
@@ -102,7 +163,7 @@ void
 buildHandshake(
     boost::beast::http::fields& h,
     ripple::uint256 const& sharedValue,
-    boost::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID,
+    std::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID,
     beast::IP::Address public_ip,
     beast::IP::Address remote_ip,
     Application& app)
@@ -155,7 +216,7 @@ PublicKey
 verifyHandshake(
     boost::beast::http::fields const& headers,
     ripple::uint256 const& sharedValue,
-    boost::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID,
+    std::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID,
     beast::IP::Address public_ip,
     beast::IP::Address remote,
     Application& app)
@@ -291,4 +352,54 @@ verifyHandshake(
     return publicKey;
 }
 
+auto
+makeRequest(bool crawlPublic, bool comprEnabled, bool vpReduceRelayEnabled)
+    -> request_type
+{
+    request_type m;
+    m.method(boost::beast::http::verb::get);
+    m.target("/");
+    m.version(11);
+    m.insert("User-Agent", BuildInfo::getFullVersionString());
+    m.insert("Upgrade", supportedProtocolVersions());
+    m.insert("Connection", "Upgrade");
+    m.insert("Connect-As", "Peer");
+    m.insert("Crawl", crawlPublic ? "public" : "private");
+    m.insert(
+        "X-Protocol-Ctl",
+        makeFeaturesRequestHeader(comprEnabled, vpReduceRelayEnabled));
+    return m;
+}
+
+http_response_type
+makeResponse(
+    bool crawlPublic,
+    http_request_type const& req,
+    beast::IP::Address public_ip,
+    beast::IP::Address remote_ip,
+    uint256 const& sharedValue,
+    std::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID,
+    ProtocolVersion protocol,
+    Application& app)
+{
+    http_response_type resp;
+    resp.result(boost::beast::http::status::switching_protocols);
+    resp.version(req.version());
+    resp.insert("Connection", "Upgrade");
+    resp.insert("Upgrade", to_string(protocol));
+    resp.insert("Connect-As", "Peer");
+    resp.insert("Server", BuildInfo::getFullVersionString());
+    resp.insert("Crawl", crawlPublic ? "public" : "private");
+    resp.insert(
+        "X-Protocol-Ctl",
+        makeFeaturesResponseHeader(
+            req,
+            app.config().COMPRESSION,
+            app.config().VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE));
+
+    buildHandshake(resp, sharedValue, networkID, public_ip, remote_ip, app);
+
+    return resp;
+}
+
 }  // namespace ripple
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/Handshake.h b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/Handshake.h
index 8a92a1fd9..a93c29008 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/Handshake.h
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/Handshake.h
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 
 #include <ripple/app/main/Application.h>
 #include <ripple/beast/utility/Journal.h>
+#include <ripple/overlay/impl/ProtocolVersion.h>
 #include <ripple/protocol/BuildInfo.h>
 #include <boost/asio/ip/tcp.hpp>
 #include <boost/asio/ssl/context.hpp>
@@ -30,14 +31,22 @@
 #include <boost/beast/ssl/ssl_stream.hpp>
 
 #include <boost/asio/ssl.hpp>
+#include <boost/beast/http/dynamic_body.hpp>
+#include <boost/beast/http/empty_body.hpp>
 #include <boost/beast/http/fields.hpp>
-#include <boost/optional.hpp>
+#include <optional>
 #include <utility>
 
 namespace ripple {
 
 using socket_type = boost::beast::tcp_stream;
 using stream_type = boost::beast::ssl_stream<socket_type>;
+using request_type =
+    boost::beast::http::request<boost::beast::http::empty_body>;
+using http_request_type =
+    boost::beast::http::request<boost::beast::http::dynamic_body>;
+using http_response_type =
+    boost::beast::http::response<boost::beast::http::dynamic_body>;
 
 /** Computes a shared value based on the SSL connection state.
 
@@ -48,7 +57,7 @@ using stream_type = boost::beast::ssl_stream<socket_type>;
     @param ssl the SSL/TLS connection state.
     @return A 256-bit value on success; an unseated optional otherwise.
 */
-boost::optional<uint256>
+std::optional<uint256>
 makeSharedValue(stream_type& ssl, beast::Journal journal);
 
 /** Insert fields headers necessary for upgrading the link to the peer protocol.
@@ -57,7 +66,7 @@ void
 buildHandshake(
     boost::beast::http::fields& h,
     uint256 const& sharedValue,
-    boost::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID,
+    std::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID,
     beast::IP::Address public_ip,
     beast::IP::Address remote_ip,
     Application& app);
@@ -77,11 +86,144 @@ PublicKey
 verifyHandshake(
     boost::beast::http::fields const& headers,
     uint256 const& sharedValue,
-    boost::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID,
+    std::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID,
     beast::IP::Address public_ip,
     beast::IP::Address remote,
     Application& app);
 
+/** Make outbound http request
+
+   @param crawlPublic if true then server's IP/Port are included in crawl
+   @param comprEnabled if true then compression feature is enabled
+   @param vpReduceRelayEnabled if true then reduce-relay feature is enabled
+   @return http request with empty body
+ */
+request_type
+makeRequest(bool crawlPublic, bool comprEnabled, bool vpReduceRelayEnabled);
+
+/** Make http response
+
+   @param crawlPublic if true then server's IP/Port are included in crawl
+   @param req incoming http request
+   @param public_ip server's public IP
+   @param remote_ip peer's IP
+   @param sharedValue shared value based on the SSL connection state
+   @param networkID specifies what network we intend to connect to
+   @param version supported protocol version
+   @param app Application's reference to access some common properties
+   @return http response
+ */
+http_response_type
+makeResponse(
+    bool crawlPublic,
+    http_request_type const& req,
+    beast::IP::Address public_ip,
+    beast::IP::Address remote_ip,
+    uint256 const& sharedValue,
+    std::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID,
+    ProtocolVersion version,
+    Application& app);
+
+// Protocol features negotiated via HTTP handshake.
+// The format is:
+// X-Protocol-Ctl: feature1=value1[,value2]*[\s*;\s*feature2=value1[,value2]*]*
+// value: \S+
+static constexpr char FEATURE_COMPR[] = "compr";  // compression
+static constexpr char FEATURE_VPRR[] =
+    "vprr";  // validation/proposal reduce-relay
+static constexpr char DELIM_FEATURE[] = ";";
+static constexpr char DELIM_VALUE[] = ",";
+
+/** Get feature's header value
+   @param headers request/response header
+   @param feature name
+   @return seated optional with feature's value if the feature
+      is found in the header, unseated optional otherwise
+ */
+std::optional<std::string>
+getFeatureValue(
+    boost::beast::http::fields const& headers,
+    std::string const& feature);
+
+/** Check if a feature's value is equal to the specified value
+   @param headers request/response header
+   @param feature to check
+   @param value of the feature to check, must be a single value; i.e. not
+        value1,value2...
+   @return true if the feature's value matches the specified value, false if
+   doesn't match or the feature is not found in the header
+ */
+bool
+isFeatureValue(
+    boost::beast::http::fields const& headers,
+    std::string const& feature,
+    std::string const& value);
+
+/** Check if a feature is enabled
+   @param headers request/response header
+   @param feature to check
+   @return true if enabled
+ */
+bool
+featureEnabled(
+    boost::beast::http::fields const& headers,
+    std::string const& feature);
+
+/** Check if a feature should be enabled for a peer. The feature
+    is enabled if its configured value is true and the http header
+    has the specified feature value.
+   @tparam headers request (inbound) or response (outbound) header
+   @param request http headers
+   @param feature to check
+   @param config feature's configuration value
+   @param value feature's value to check in the headers
+   @return true if the feature is enabled
+ */
+template <typename headers>
+bool
+peerFeatureEnabled(
+    headers const& request,
+    std::string const& feature,
+    std::string value,
+    bool config)
+{
+    return config && isFeatureValue(request, feature, value);
+}
+
+/** Wrapper for enable(1)/disable type(0) of feature */
+template <typename headers>
+bool
+peerFeatureEnabled(
+    headers const& request,
+    std::string const& feature,
+    bool config)
+{
+    return config && peerFeatureEnabled(request, feature, "1", config);
+}
+
+/** Make request header X-Protocol-Ctl value with supported features
+   @param comprEnabled if true then compression feature is enabled
+   @param vpReduceRelayEnabled if true then reduce-relay feature is enabled
+   @return X-Protocol-Ctl header value
+ */
+std::string
+makeFeaturesRequestHeader(bool comprEnabled, bool vpReduceRelayEnabled);
+
+/** Make response header X-Protocol-Ctl value with supported features.
+    If the request has a feature that we support enabled
+    and the feature's configuration is enabled then enable this feature in
+    the response header.
+   @param header request's header
+   @param comprEnabled if true then compression feature is enabled
+   @param vpReduceRelayEnabled if true then reduce-relay feature is enabled
+   @return X-Protocol-Ctl header value
+ */
+std::string
+makeFeaturesResponseHeader(
+    http_request_type const& headers,
+    bool comprEnabled,
+    bool vpReduceRelayEnabled);
+
 }  // namespace ripple
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/OverlayImpl.cpp b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/OverlayImpl.cpp
index 44973464a..7c36ea47c 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/OverlayImpl.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/OverlayImpl.cpp
@@ -1388,7 +1388,7 @@ std::shared_ptr<Message>
 makeSquelchMessage(
     PublicKey const& validator,
     bool squelch,
-    uint64_t squelchDuration)
+    uint32_t squelchDuration)
 {
     protocol::TMSquelch m;
     m.set_squelch(squelch);
@@ -1402,12 +1402,11 @@ void
 OverlayImpl::unsquelch(PublicKey const& validator, Peer::id_t id) const
 {
     if (auto peer = findPeerByShortID(id);
-        peer && app_.config().REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH)
+        peer && app_.config().VP_REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH)
     {
         // optimize - multiple message with different
         // validator might be sent to the same peer
-        auto m = makeSquelchMessage(validator, false, 0);
-        peer->send(m);
+        peer->send(makeSquelchMessage(validator, false, 0));
     }
 }
 
@@ -1418,10 +1417,9 @@ OverlayImpl::squelch(
     uint32_t squelchDuration) const
 {
     if (auto peer = findPeerByShortID(id);
-        peer && app_.config().REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH)
+        peer && app_.config().VP_REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH)
     {
-        auto m = makeSquelchMessage(validator, true, squelchDuration);
-        peer->send(m);
+        peer->send(makeSquelchMessage(validator, true, squelchDuration));
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/OverlayImpl.h b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/OverlayImpl.h
index 65f5ffc52..ae04b388d 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/OverlayImpl.h
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/OverlayImpl.h
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ namespace ripple {
 class PeerImp;
 class BasicConfig;
 
-class OverlayImpl : public Overlay, public squelch::SquelchHandler
+class OverlayImpl : public Overlay, public reduce_relay::SquelchHandler
 {
 public:
     class Child
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ private:
 
     boost::optional<std::uint32_t> networkID_;
 
-    squelch::Slots<UptimeClock> slots_;
+    reduce_relay::Slots<UptimeClock> slots_;
 
     // A message with the list of manifests we send to peers
     std::shared_ptr<Message> manifestMessage_;
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/PeerImp.cpp b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/PeerImp.cpp
index 0ecc8967a..2d7f636f8 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/PeerImp.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/PeerImp.cpp
@@ -94,16 +94,30 @@ PeerImp::PeerImp(
     , publicKey_(publicKey)
     , lastPingTime_(clock_type::now())
     , creationTime_(clock_type::now())
+    , squelch_(app_.journal("Squelch"))
     , usage_(consumer)
     , fee_(Resource::feeLightPeer)
     , slot_(slot)
     , request_(std::move(request))
     , headers_(request_)
     , compressionEnabled_(
-          headers_["X-Offer-Compression"] == "lz4" && app_.config().COMPRESSION
+          peerFeatureEnabled(
+              headers_,
+              FEATURE_COMPR,
+              "lz4",
+              app_.config().COMPRESSION)
               ? Compressed::On
               : Compressed::Off)
+    , vpReduceRelayEnabled_(peerFeatureEnabled(
+          headers_,
+          FEATURE_VPRR,
+          app_.config().VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE))
 {
+    JLOG(journal_.debug()) << " compression enabled "
+                           << (compressionEnabled_ == Compressed::On)
+                           << " vp reduce-relay enabled "
+                           << vpReduceRelayEnabled_ << " on " << remote_address_
+                           << " " << id_;
 }
 
 PeerImp::~PeerImp()
@@ -223,7 +237,7 @@ PeerImp::send(std::shared_ptr<Message> const& m)
         return;
 
     auto validator = m->getValidatorKey();
-    if (validator && squelch_.isSquelched(*validator))
+    if (validator && !squelch_.expireSquelch(*validator))
         return;
 
     overlay_.reportTraffic(
@@ -739,36 +753,17 @@ PeerImp::doAccept()
     // XXX Set timer: connection idle (idle may vary depending on connection
     // type.)
 
-    auto write_buffer = [this, sharedValue]() {
-        auto buf = std::make_shared<boost::beast::multi_buffer>();
+    auto write_buffer = std::make_shared<boost::beast::multi_buffer>();
 
-        http_response_type resp;
-        resp.result(boost::beast::http::status::switching_protocols);
-        resp.version(request_.version());
-        resp.insert("Connection", "Upgrade");
-        resp.insert("Upgrade", to_string(protocol_));
-        resp.insert("Connect-As", "Peer");
-        resp.insert("Server", BuildInfo::getFullVersionString());
-        resp.insert(
-            "Crawl",
-            overlay_.peerFinder().config().peerPrivate ? "private" : "public");
-
-        if (request_["X-Offer-Compression"] == "lz4" &&
-            app_.config().COMPRESSION)
-            resp.insert("X-Offer-Compression", "lz4");
-
-        buildHandshake(
-            resp,
-            *sharedValue,
-            overlay_.setup().networkID,
-            overlay_.setup().public_ip,
-            remote_address_.address(),
-            app_);
-
-        boost::beast::ostream(*buf) << resp;
-
-        return buf;
-    }();
+    boost::beast::ostream(*write_buffer) << makeResponse(
+        !overlay_.peerFinder().config().peerPrivate,
+        request_,
+        overlay_.setup().public_ip,
+        remote_address_.address(),
+        *sharedValue,
+        overlay_.setup().networkID,
+        protocol_,
+        app_);
 
     // Write the whole buffer and only start protocol when that's done.
     boost::asio::async_write(
@@ -971,13 +966,17 @@ void
 PeerImp::onMessageBegin(
     std::uint16_t type,
     std::shared_ptr<::google::protobuf::Message> const& m,
-    std::size_t size)
+    std::size_t size,
+    std::size_t uncompressed_size,
+    bool isCompressed)
 {
     load_event_ =
         app_.getJobQueue().makeLoadEvent(jtPEER, protocolMessageName(type));
     fee_ = Resource::feeLightPeer;
     overlay_.reportTraffic(
         TrafficCount::categorize(*m, type, true), true, static_cast<int>(size));
+    JLOG(journal_.trace()) << "onMessageBegin: " << type << " " << size << " "
+                           << uncompressed_size << " " << isCompressed;
 }
 
 void
@@ -1566,12 +1565,8 @@ PeerImp::onMessage(std::shared_ptr<protocol::TMProposeSet> const& m)
     {
         // Count unique messages (Slots has it's own 'HashRouter'), which a peer
         // receives within IDLED seconds since the message has been relayed.
-        // Wait WAIT_ON_BOOTUP time to let the server establish connections to
-        // peers.
-        if (app_.config().REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE && relayed &&
-            (stopwatch().now() - *relayed) < squelch::IDLED &&
-            squelch::epoch<std::chrono::minutes>(UptimeClock::now()) >
-                squelch::WAIT_ON_BOOTUP)
+        if (reduceRelayReady() && relayed &&
+            (stopwatch().now() - *relayed) < reduce_relay::IDLED)
             overlay_.updateSlotAndSquelch(
                 suppression, publicKey, id_, protocol::mtPROPOSE_LEDGER);
         JLOG(p_journal_.trace()) << "Proposal: duplicate";
@@ -2173,10 +2168,8 @@ PeerImp::onMessage(std::shared_ptr<protocol::TMValidation> const& m)
             // peer receives within IDLED seconds since the message has been
             // relayed. Wait WAIT_ON_BOOTUP time to let the server establish
             // connections to peers.
-            if (app_.config().REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE && (bool)relayed &&
-                (stopwatch().now() - *relayed) < squelch::IDLED &&
-                squelch::epoch<std::chrono::minutes>(UptimeClock::now()) >
-                    squelch::WAIT_ON_BOOTUP)
+            if (reduceRelayReady() && relayed &&
+                (stopwatch().now() - *relayed) < reduce_relay::IDLED)
                 overlay_.updateSlotAndSquelch(
                     key, val->getSignerPublic(), id_, protocol::mtVALIDATION);
             JLOG(p_journal_.trace()) << "Validation: duplicate";
@@ -2358,6 +2351,14 @@ PeerImp::onMessage(std::shared_ptr<protocol::TMGetObjectByHash> const& m)
 void
 PeerImp::onMessage(std::shared_ptr<protocol::TMSquelch> const& m)
 {
+    using on_message_fn =
+        void (PeerImp::*)(std::shared_ptr<protocol::TMSquelch> const&);
+    if (!strand_.running_in_this_thread())
+        return post(
+            strand_,
+            std::bind(
+                (on_message_fn)&PeerImp::onMessage, shared_from_this(), m));
+
     if (!m->has_validatorpubkey())
     {
         charge(Resource::feeBadData);
@@ -2371,9 +2372,6 @@ PeerImp::onMessage(std::shared_ptr<protocol::TMSquelch> const& m)
         return;
     }
     PublicKey key(slice);
-    auto squelch = m->squelch();
-    auto duration = m->has_squelchduration() ? m->squelchduration() : 0;
-    auto sp = shared_from_this();
 
     // Ignore the squelch for validator's own messages.
     if (key == app_.getValidationPublicKey())
@@ -2383,15 +2381,15 @@ PeerImp::onMessage(std::shared_ptr<protocol::TMSquelch> const& m)
         return;
     }
 
-    if (!strand_.running_in_this_thread())
-        return post(strand_, [sp, key, squelch, duration]() {
-            sp->squelch_.squelch(key, squelch, duration);
-        });
+    std::uint32_t duration =
+        m->has_squelchduration() ? m->squelchduration() : 0;
+    if (!m->squelch())
+        squelch_.removeSquelch(key);
+    else if (!squelch_.addSquelch(key, std::chrono::seconds{duration}))
+        charge(Resource::feeBadData);
 
     JLOG(p_journal_.debug())
         << "onMessage: TMSquelch " << slice << " " << id() << " " << duration;
-
-    squelch_.squelch(key, squelch, duration);
 }
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -2555,9 +2553,7 @@ PeerImp::checkPropose(
         // as part of the squelch logic.
         auto haveMessage = app_.overlay().relay(
             *packet, peerPos.suppressionID(), peerPos.publicKey());
-        if (app_.config().REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE && !haveMessage.empty() &&
-            squelch::epoch<std::chrono::minutes>(UptimeClock::now()) >
-                squelch::WAIT_ON_BOOTUP)
+        if (reduceRelayReady() && !haveMessage.empty())
             overlay_.updateSlotAndSquelch(
                 peerPos.suppressionID(),
                 peerPos.publicKey(),
@@ -2592,9 +2588,7 @@ PeerImp::checkValidation(
             // as part of the squelch logic.
             auto haveMessage =
                 overlay_.relay(*packet, suppression, val->getSignerPublic());
-            if (app_.config().REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE && !haveMessage.empty() &&
-                squelch::epoch<std::chrono::minutes>(UptimeClock::now()) >
-                    squelch::WAIT_ON_BOOTUP)
+            if (reduceRelayReady() && !haveMessage.empty())
             {
                 overlay_.updateSlotAndSquelch(
                     suppression,
@@ -3038,6 +3032,16 @@ PeerImp::isHighLatency() const
     return latency_ >= peerHighLatency;
 }
 
+bool
+PeerImp::reduceRelayReady()
+{
+    if (!reduceRelayReady_)
+        reduceRelayReady_ =
+            reduce_relay::epoch<std::chrono::minutes>(UptimeClock::now()) >
+            reduce_relay::WAIT_ON_BOOTUP;
+    return vpReduceRelayEnabled_ && reduceRelayReady_;
+}
+
 void
 PeerImp::Metrics::add_message(std::uint64_t bytes)
 {
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/PeerImp.h b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/PeerImp.h
index 35fafb581..583783b21 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/PeerImp.h
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/PeerImp.h
@@ -118,7 +118,8 @@ private:
     clock_type::time_point lastPingTime_;
     clock_type::time_point const creationTime_;
 
-    squelch::Squelch<UptimeClock> squelch_;
+    reduce_relay::Squelch<UptimeClock> squelch_;
+    inline static std::atomic_bool reduceRelayReady_{false};
 
     // Notes on thread locking:
     //
@@ -169,6 +170,10 @@ private:
 
     Compressed compressionEnabled_ = Compressed::Off;
 
+    // true if validation/proposal reduce-relay feature is enabled
+    // on the peer.
+    bool vpReduceRelayEnabled_ = false;
+
     friend class OverlayImpl;
 
     class Metrics
@@ -459,6 +464,11 @@ private:
     void
     onWriteMessage(error_code ec, std::size_t bytes_transferred);
 
+    // Check if reduce-relay feature is enabled and
+    // reduce_relay::WAIT_ON_BOOTUP time passed since the start
+    bool
+    reduceRelayReady();
+
 public:
     //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
     //
@@ -473,7 +483,9 @@ public:
     onMessageBegin(
         std::uint16_t type,
         std::shared_ptr<::google::protobuf::Message> const& m,
-        std::size_t size);
+        std::size_t size,
+        std::size_t uncompressed_size,
+        bool isCompressed);
 
     void
     onMessageEnd(
@@ -594,18 +606,32 @@ PeerImp::PeerImp(
     , publicKey_(publicKey)
     , lastPingTime_(clock_type::now())
     , creationTime_(clock_type::now())
+    , squelch_(app_.journal("Squelch"))
     , usage_(usage)
     , fee_(Resource::feeLightPeer)
     , slot_(std::move(slot))
     , response_(std::move(response))
     , headers_(response_)
     , compressionEnabled_(
-          headers_["X-Offer-Compression"] == "lz4" && app_.config().COMPRESSION
+          peerFeatureEnabled(
+              headers_,
+              FEATURE_COMPR,
+              "lz4",
+              app_.config().COMPRESSION)
               ? Compressed::On
               : Compressed::Off)
+    , vpReduceRelayEnabled_(peerFeatureEnabled(
+          headers_,
+          FEATURE_VPRR,
+          app_.config().VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE))
 {
     read_buffer_.commit(boost::asio::buffer_copy(
         read_buffer_.prepare(boost::asio::buffer_size(buffers)), buffers));
+    JLOG(journal_.debug()) << "compression enabled "
+                           << (compressionEnabled_ == Compressed::On)
+                           << " vp reduce-relay enabled "
+                           << vpReduceRelayEnabled_ << " on " << remote_address_
+                           << " " << id_;
 }
 
 template <class FwdIt, class>
diff --git a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/ProtocolMessage.h b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/ProtocolMessage.h
index 745016d74..b5b7f80a6 100644
--- a/src/ripple/overlay/impl/ProtocolMessage.h
+++ b/src/ripple/overlay/impl/ProtocolMessage.h
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 #include <cassert>
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <memory>
+#include <optional>
 #include <type_traits>
 #include <vector>
 
@@ -124,15 +125,25 @@ buffersBegin(BufferSequence const& bufs)
         bufs);
 }
 
+template <typename BufferSequence>
+auto
+buffersEnd(BufferSequence const& bufs)
+{
+    return boost::asio::buffers_iterator<BufferSequence, std::uint8_t>::end(
+        bufs);
+}
+
 /** Parse a message header
  * @return a seated optional if the message header was successfully
  *         parsed. An unseated optional otherwise, in which case
  *         @param ec contains more information:
  *         - set to `errc::success` if not enough bytes were present
  *         - set to `errc::no_message` if a valid header was not present
+ *         @bufs - sequence of input buffers, can't be empty
+ *         @size input data size
  */
 template <class BufferSequence>
-boost::optional<MessageHeader>
+std::optional<MessageHeader>
 parseMessageHeader(
     boost::system::error_code& ec,
     BufferSequence const& bufs,
@@ -142,6 +153,7 @@ parseMessageHeader(
 
     MessageHeader hdr;
     auto iter = buffersBegin(bufs);
+    assert(iter != buffersEnd(bufs));
 
     // Check valid header compressed message:
     // - 4 bits are the compression algorithm, 1st bit is always set to 1
@@ -156,13 +168,13 @@ parseMessageHeader(
         if (size < hdr.header_size)
         {
             ec = make_error_code(boost::system::errc::success);
-            return boost::none;
+            return std::nullopt;
         }
 
         if (*iter & 0x0C)
         {
             ec = make_error_code(boost::system::errc::protocol_error);
-            return boost::none;
+            return std::nullopt;
         }
 
         hdr.algorithm = static_cast<compression::Algorithm>(*iter & 0xF0);
@@ -170,7 +182,7 @@ parseMessageHeader(
         if (hdr.algorithm != compression::Algorithm::LZ4)
         {
             ec = make_error_code(boost::system::errc::protocol_error);
-            return boost::none;
+            return std::nullopt;
         }
 
         for (int i = 0; i != 4; ++i)
@@ -200,7 +212,7 @@ parseMessageHeader(
         if (size < hdr.header_size)
         {
             ec = make_error_code(boost::system::errc::success);
-            return boost::none;
+            return std::nullopt;
         }
 
         hdr.algorithm = Algorithm::None;
@@ -218,7 +230,7 @@ parseMessageHeader(
     }
 
     ec = make_error_code(boost::system::errc::no_message);
-    return boost::none;
+    return std::nullopt;
 }
 
 template <
@@ -268,7 +280,13 @@ invoke(MessageHeader const& header, Buffers const& buffers, Handler& handler)
     if (!m)
         return false;
 
-    handler.onMessageBegin(header.message_type, m, header.payload_wire_size);
+    using namespace ripple::compression;
+    handler.onMessageBegin(
+        header.message_type,
+        m,
+        header.payload_wire_size,
+        header.uncompressed_size,
+        header.algorithm != Algorithm::None);
     handler.onMessage(m);
     handler.onMessageEnd(header.message_type, m);
 
diff --git a/src/ripple/proto/ripple.proto b/src/ripple/proto/ripple.proto
index 12fa466c6..41c6c6568 100644
--- a/src/ripple/proto/ripple.proto
+++ b/src/ripple/proto/ripple.proto
@@ -362,6 +362,6 @@ message TMSquelch
 {
     required bool squelch           = 1; // squelch if true, otherwise unsquelch
     required bytes validatorPubKey  = 2; // validator's public key
-    optional uint32 squelchDuration = 3; // squelch duration in milliseconds
+    optional uint32 squelchDuration = 3; // squelch duration in seconds
 }
 
diff --git a/src/test/overlay/compression_test.cpp b/src/test/overlay/compression_test.cpp
index a83aa09b1..b91a55921 100644
--- a/src/test/overlay/compression_test.cpp
+++ b/src/test/overlay/compression_test.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include <ripple/core/TimeKeeper.h>
 #include <ripple/overlay/Compression.h>
 #include <ripple/overlay/Message.h>
+#include <ripple/overlay/impl/Handshake.h>
 #include <ripple/overlay/impl/ProtocolMessage.h>
 #include <ripple/overlay/impl/ZeroCopyStream.h>
 #include <ripple/protocol/HashPrefix.h>
@@ -112,7 +113,7 @@ public:
 
         BEAST_EXPECT(header);
 
-        if (header->algorithm == Algorithm::None)
+        if (!header || header->algorithm == Algorithm::None)
             return;
 
         std::vector<std::uint8_t> decompressed;
@@ -242,7 +243,7 @@ public:
         uint256 const hash(ripple::sha512Half(123456789));
         getLedger->set_ledgerhash(hash.begin(), hash.size());
         getLedger->set_ledgerseq(123456789);
-        ripple::SHAMapNodeID sha(17, hash);
+        ripple::SHAMapNodeID sha(64, hash);
         getLedger->add_nodeids(sha.getRawString());
         getLedger->set_requestcookie(123456789);
         getLedger->set_querytype(protocol::qtINDIRECT);
@@ -302,7 +303,7 @@ public:
             uint256 hash(ripple::sha512Half(i));
             auto object = getObject->add_objects();
             object->set_hash(hash.data(), hash.size());
-            ripple::SHAMapNodeID sha(i % 55, hash);
+            ripple::SHAMapNodeID sha(64, hash);
             object->set_nodeid(sha.getRawString());
             object->set_index("");
             object->set_data("");
@@ -458,14 +459,80 @@ public:
             "TMValidatorListCollection");
     }
 
+    void
+    testHandshake()
+    {
+        testcase("Handshake");
+        auto getEnv = [&](bool enable) {
+            Config c;
+            std::stringstream str;
+            str << "[reduce_relay]\n"
+                << "vp_enable=1\n"
+                << "vp_squelch=1\n"
+                << "[compression]\n"
+                << enable << "\n";
+            c.loadFromString(str.str());
+            auto env = std::make_shared<jtx::Env>(*this);
+            env->app().config().COMPRESSION = c.COMPRESSION;
+            env->app().config().VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE =
+                c.VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE;
+            env->app().config().VP_REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH =
+                c.VP_REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH;
+            return env;
+        };
+        auto handshake = [&](int outboundEnable, int inboundEnable) {
+            beast::IP::Address addr =
+                boost::asio::ip::address::from_string("172.1.1.100");
+
+            auto env = getEnv(outboundEnable);
+            auto request = ripple::makeRequest(
+                true,
+                env->app().config().COMPRESSION,
+                env->app().config().VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE);
+            http_request_type http_request;
+            http_request.version(request.version());
+            http_request.base() = request.base();
+            // feature enabled on the peer's connection only if both sides are
+            // enabled
+            auto const peerEnabled = inboundEnable && outboundEnable;
+            // inbound is enabled if the request's header has the feature
+            // enabled and the peer's configuration is enabled
+            auto const inboundEnabled = peerFeatureEnabled(
+                http_request, FEATURE_COMPR, "lz4", inboundEnable);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(!(peerEnabled ^ inboundEnabled));
+
+            env.reset();
+            env = getEnv(inboundEnable);
+            auto http_resp = ripple::makeResponse(
+                true,
+                http_request,
+                addr,
+                addr,
+                uint256{1},
+                1,
+                {1, 0},
+                env->app());
+            // outbound is enabled if the response's header has the feature
+            // enabled and the peer's configuration is enabled
+            auto const outboundEnabled = peerFeatureEnabled(
+                http_resp, FEATURE_COMPR, "lz4", outboundEnable);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(!(peerEnabled ^ outboundEnabled));
+        };
+        handshake(1, 1);
+        handshake(1, 0);
+        handshake(0, 1);
+        handshake(0, 0);
+    }
+
     void
     run() override
     {
         testProtocol();
+        testHandshake();
     }
 };
 
-BEAST_DEFINE_TESTSUITE_MANUAL_PRIO(compression, ripple_data, ripple, 20);
+BEAST_DEFINE_TESTSUITE_MANUAL(compression, ripple_data, ripple);
 
 }  // namespace test
 }  // namespace ripple
diff --git a/src/test/overlay/handshake_test.cpp b/src/test/overlay/handshake_test.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..25bf20add
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/test/overlay/handshake_test.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+//------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+/*
+    This file is part of rippled: https://github.com/ripple/rippled
+    Copyright (c) 2020 Ripple Labs Inc.
+
+    Permission to use, copy, modify, and/or distribute this software for any
+    purpose  with  or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above
+    copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.
+
+    THE  SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
+    WITH  REGARD  TO  THIS  SOFTWARE  INCLUDING  ALL  IMPLIED  WARRANTIES  OF
+    MERCHANTABILITY  AND  FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR
+    ANY  SPECIAL ,  DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
+    WHATSOEVER  RESULTING  FROM  LOSS  OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN
+    ACTION  OF  CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF
+    OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
+*/
+//==============================================================================
+
+#include <ripple/beast/unit_test.h>
+#include <ripple/overlay/impl/Handshake.h>
+
+namespace ripple {
+
+namespace test {
+
+class handshake_test : public beast::unit_test::suite
+{
+public:
+    handshake_test() = default;
+
+    void
+    testHandshake()
+    {
+        testcase("X-Protocol-Ctl");
+        boost::beast::http::fields headers;
+        headers.insert(
+            "X-Protocol-Ctl",
+            "feature1=v1,v2,v3; feature2=v4; feature3=10; feature4=1; "
+            "feature5=v6");
+        BEAST_EXPECT(!featureEnabled(headers, "feature1"));
+        BEAST_EXPECT(!isFeatureValue(headers, "feature1", "2"));
+        BEAST_EXPECT(isFeatureValue(headers, "feature1", "v1"));
+        BEAST_EXPECT(isFeatureValue(headers, "feature1", "v2"));
+        BEAST_EXPECT(isFeatureValue(headers, "feature1", "v3"));
+        BEAST_EXPECT(isFeatureValue(headers, "feature2", "v4"));
+        BEAST_EXPECT(!isFeatureValue(headers, "feature3", "1"));
+        BEAST_EXPECT(isFeatureValue(headers, "feature3", "10"));
+        BEAST_EXPECT(!isFeatureValue(headers, "feature4", "10"));
+        BEAST_EXPECT(isFeatureValue(headers, "feature4", "1"));
+        BEAST_EXPECT(!featureEnabled(headers, "v6"));
+    }
+
+    void
+    run() override
+    {
+        testHandshake();
+    }
+};
+
+BEAST_DEFINE_TESTSUITE(handshake, ripple_data, ripple);
+
+}  // namespace test
+}  // namespace ripple
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/test/overlay/reduce_relay_test.cpp b/src/test/overlay/reduce_relay_test.cpp
index 5e8f05d63..d7aca9199 100644
--- a/src/test/overlay/reduce_relay_test.cpp
+++ b/src/test/overlay/reduce_relay_test.cpp
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #include <ripple/overlay/Message.h>
 #include <ripple/overlay/Peer.h>
 #include <ripple/overlay/Slot.h>
+#include <ripple/overlay/impl/Handshake.h>
 #include <ripple/protocol/SecretKey.h>
 #include <ripple.pb.h>
 #include <test/jtx/Env.h>
@@ -437,7 +438,8 @@ class PeerSim : public PeerPartial, public std::enable_shared_from_this<PeerSim>
 {
 public:
     using id_t = Peer::id_t;
-    PeerSim(Overlay& overlay) : overlay_(overlay)
+    PeerSim(Overlay& overlay, beast::Journal journal)
+        : overlay_(overlay), squelch_(journal)
     {
         id_ = sid_++;
     }
@@ -462,7 +464,7 @@ public:
     {
         auto validator = m->getValidatorKey();
         assert(validator);
-        if (squelch_.isSquelched(*validator))
+        if (!squelch_.expireSquelch(*validator))
             return;
 
         overlay_.updateSlotAndSquelch({}, *validator, id(), f);
@@ -474,24 +476,28 @@ public:
     {
         auto validator = squelch.validatorpubkey();
         PublicKey key(Slice(validator.data(), validator.size()));
-        squelch_.squelch(key, squelch.squelch(), squelch.squelchduration());
+        if (squelch.squelch())
+            squelch_.addSquelch(
+                key, std::chrono::seconds{squelch.squelchduration()});
+        else
+            squelch_.removeSquelch(key);
     }
 
 private:
     inline static id_t sid_ = 0;
     id_t id_;
     Overlay& overlay_;
-    squelch::Squelch<ManualClock> squelch_;
+    reduce_relay::Squelch<ManualClock> squelch_;
 };
 
-class OverlaySim : public Overlay, public squelch::SquelchHandler
+class OverlaySim : public Overlay, public reduce_relay::SquelchHandler
 {
     using Peers = std::unordered_map<Peer::id_t, PeerSPtr>;
 
 public:
     using id_t = Peer::id_t;
     using clock_type = ManualClock;
-    OverlaySim(Application& app) : slots_(app, *this)
+    OverlaySim(Application& app) : slots_(app, *this), app_(app)
     {
     }
 
@@ -506,7 +512,7 @@ public:
     }
 
     std::uint16_t
-    inState(PublicKey const& validator, squelch::PeerState state)
+    inState(PublicKey const& validator, reduce_relay::PeerState state)
     {
         auto res = slots_.inState(validator, state);
         return res ? *res : 0;
@@ -545,7 +551,7 @@ public:
         Peer::id_t id;
         if (peersCache_.empty() || !useCache)
         {
-            peer = std::make_shared<PeerSim>(*this);
+            peer = std::make_shared<PeerSim>(*this, app_.journal("Squelch"));
             id = peer->id();
         }
         else
@@ -602,7 +608,7 @@ public:
     bool
     isCountingState(PublicKey const& validator)
     {
-        return slots_.inState(validator, squelch::SlotState::Counting);
+        return slots_.inState(validator, reduce_relay::SlotState::Counting);
     }
 
     std::set<id_t>
@@ -629,7 +635,7 @@ public:
     std::unordered_map<
         id_t,
         std::tuple<
-            squelch::PeerState,
+            reduce_relay::PeerState,
             std::uint16_t,
             std::uint32_t,
             std::uint32_t>>
@@ -664,7 +670,8 @@ private:
     UnsquelchCB unsquelch_;
     Peers peers_;
     Peers peersCache_;
-    squelch::Slots<ManualClock> slots_;
+    reduce_relay::Slots<ManualClock> slots_;
+    Application& app_;
 };
 
 class Network
@@ -843,8 +850,8 @@ public:
             for (auto& [_, v] : peers)
             {
                 (void)_;
-                if (std::get<squelch::PeerState>(v) ==
-                    squelch::PeerState::Squelched)
+                if (std::get<reduce_relay::PeerState>(v) ==
+                    reduce_relay::PeerState::Squelched)
                     return false;
             }
         }
@@ -858,7 +865,7 @@ private:
 
 class reduce_relay_test : public beast::unit_test::suite
 {
-    using Slot = squelch::Slot<ManualClock>;
+    using Slot = reduce_relay::Slot<ManualClock>;
     using id_t = Peer::id_t;
 
 protected:
@@ -870,7 +877,7 @@ protected:
                   << "num peers " << (int)network_.overlay().getNumPeers()
                   << std::endl;
         for (auto& [k, v] : peers)
-            std::cout << k << ":" << (int)std::get<squelch::PeerState>(v)
+            std::cout << k << ":" << (int)std::get<reduce_relay::PeerState>(v)
                       << " ";
         std::cout << std::endl;
     }
@@ -950,7 +957,8 @@ protected:
                     str << s << " ";
                 if (log)
                     std::cout
-                        << (double)squelch::epoch<milliseconds>(now).count() /
+                        << (double)reduce_relay::epoch<milliseconds>(now)
+                                .count() /
                             1000.
                         << " random, squelched, validator: " << validator.id()
                         << " peers: " << str.str() << std::endl;
@@ -958,7 +966,7 @@ protected:
                     network_.overlay().isCountingState(validator);
                 BEAST_EXPECT(
                     countingState == false &&
-                    selected.size() == squelch::MAX_SELECTED_PEERS);
+                    selected.size() == reduce_relay::MAX_SELECTED_PEERS);
             }
 
             // Trigger Link Down or Peer Disconnect event
@@ -1038,12 +1046,13 @@ protected:
                     event.isSelected_ =
                         network_.overlay().isSelected(event.key_, event.peer_);
                     auto peers = network_.overlay().getPeers(event.key_);
-                    auto d = squelch::epoch<milliseconds>(now).count() -
+                    auto d = reduce_relay::epoch<milliseconds>(now).count() -
                         std::get<3>(peers[event.peer_]);
                     mustHandle = event.isSelected_ &&
-                        d > milliseconds(squelch::IDLED).count() &&
+                        d > milliseconds(reduce_relay::IDLED).count() &&
                         network_.overlay().inState(
-                            event.key_, squelch::PeerState::Squelched) > 0 &&
+                            event.key_, reduce_relay::PeerState::Squelched) >
+                            0 &&
                         peers.find(event.peer_) != peers.end();
                 }
                 network_.overlay().deleteIdlePeers(
@@ -1062,7 +1071,7 @@ protected:
             }
             if (event.state_ == State::WaitReset ||
                 (event.state_ == State::On &&
-                 (now - event.time_ > (squelch::IDLED + seconds(2)))))
+                 (now - event.time_ > (reduce_relay::IDLED + seconds(2)))))
             {
                 bool handled =
                     event.state_ == State::WaitReset || !event.handled_;
@@ -1158,16 +1167,17 @@ protected:
                 if (squelched)
                 {
                     BEAST_EXPECT(
-                        squelched == MAX_PEERS - squelch::MAX_SELECTED_PEERS);
+                        squelched ==
+                        MAX_PEERS - reduce_relay::MAX_SELECTED_PEERS);
                     n++;
                 }
             },
             1,
-            squelch::MAX_MESSAGE_THRESHOLD + 2,
+            reduce_relay::MAX_MESSAGE_THRESHOLD + 2,
             purge,
             resetClock);
         auto selected = network_.overlay().getSelected(network_.validator(0));
-        BEAST_EXPECT(selected.size() == squelch::MAX_SELECTED_PEERS);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(selected.size() == reduce_relay::MAX_SELECTED_PEERS);
         BEAST_EXPECT(n == 1);  // only one selection round
         auto res = checkCounting(network_.validator(0), false);
         BEAST_EXPECT(res);
@@ -1231,7 +1241,7 @@ protected:
                     unsquelched++;
                 });
             BEAST_EXPECT(
-                unsquelched == MAX_PEERS - squelch::MAX_SELECTED_PEERS);
+                unsquelched == MAX_PEERS - reduce_relay::MAX_SELECTED_PEERS);
             BEAST_EXPECT(checkCounting(network_.validator(0), true));
         });
     }
@@ -1244,7 +1254,7 @@ protected:
         doTest("Selected Peer Stops Relaying", log, [this](bool log) {
             ManualClock::advance(seconds(601));
             BEAST_EXPECT(propagateAndSquelch(log, true, false));
-            ManualClock::advance(squelch::IDLED + seconds(1));
+            ManualClock::advance(reduce_relay::IDLED + seconds(1));
             std::uint16_t unsquelched = 0;
             network_.overlay().deleteIdlePeers(
                 [&](PublicKey const& key, PeerWPtr const& peer) {
@@ -1252,7 +1262,7 @@ protected:
                 });
             auto peers = network_.overlay().getPeers(network_.validator(0));
             BEAST_EXPECT(
-                unsquelched == MAX_PEERS - squelch::MAX_SELECTED_PEERS);
+                unsquelched == MAX_PEERS - reduce_relay::MAX_SELECTED_PEERS);
             BEAST_EXPECT(checkCounting(network_.validator(0), true));
         });
     }
@@ -1267,8 +1277,8 @@ protected:
             BEAST_EXPECT(propagateAndSquelch(log, true, false));
             auto peers = network_.overlay().getPeers(network_.validator(0));
             auto it = std::find_if(peers.begin(), peers.end(), [&](auto it) {
-                return std::get<squelch::PeerState>(it.second) ==
-                    squelch::PeerState::Squelched;
+                return std::get<reduce_relay::PeerState>(it.second) ==
+                    reduce_relay::PeerState::Squelched;
             });
             assert(it != peers.end());
             std::uint16_t unsquelched = 0;
@@ -1289,37 +1299,37 @@ protected:
 
             std::string toLoad(R"rippleConfig(
 [reduce_relay]
-enable=1
-squelch=1
+vp_enable=1
+vp_squelch=1
 )rippleConfig");
 
             c.loadFromString(toLoad);
-            BEAST_EXPECT(c.REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE == true);
-            BEAST_EXPECT(c.REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH == true);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(c.VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE == true);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(c.VP_REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH == true);
 
             Config c1;
 
             toLoad = (R"rippleConfig(
 [reduce_relay]
-enable=0
-squelch=0
+vp_enable=0
+vp_squelch=0
 )rippleConfig");
 
             c1.loadFromString(toLoad);
-            BEAST_EXPECT(c1.REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE == false);
-            BEAST_EXPECT(c1.REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH == false);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(c1.VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE == false);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(c1.VP_REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH == false);
 
             Config c2;
 
             toLoad = R"rippleConfig(
 [reduce_relay]
-enabled=1
-squelched=1
+vp_enabled=1
+vp_squelched=1
 )rippleConfig";
 
             c2.loadFromString(toLoad);
-            BEAST_EXPECT(c2.REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE == false);
-            BEAST_EXPECT(c2.REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH == false);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(c2.VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE == false);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(c2.VP_REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH == false);
         });
     }
 
@@ -1354,7 +1364,7 @@ squelched=1
             peers = network_.overlay().getPeers(network_.validator(0));
             BEAST_EXPECT(std::get<1>(peers[0]) == (nMessages - 1));
             // advance the clock
-            ManualClock::advance(squelch::IDLED + seconds(1));
+            ManualClock::advance(reduce_relay::IDLED + seconds(1));
             network_.overlay().updateSlotAndSquelch(
                 key,
                 network_.validator(0),
@@ -1366,6 +1376,166 @@ squelched=1
         });
     }
 
+    struct Handler : public reduce_relay::SquelchHandler
+    {
+        Handler() : maxDuration_(0)
+        {
+        }
+        void
+        squelch(PublicKey const&, Peer::id_t, std::uint32_t duration)
+            const override
+        {
+            if (duration > maxDuration_)
+                maxDuration_ = duration;
+        }
+        void
+        unsquelch(PublicKey const&, Peer::id_t) const override
+        {
+        }
+        mutable int maxDuration_;
+    };
+
+    void
+    testRandomSquelch(bool l)
+    {
+        doTest("Random Squelch", l, [&](bool l) {
+            PublicKey validator = std::get<0>(randomKeyPair(KeyType::ed25519));
+            Handler handler;
+
+            auto run = [&](int npeers) {
+                handler.maxDuration_ = 0;
+                reduce_relay::Slots<ManualClock> slots(env_.app(), handler);
+                // 1st message from a new peer switches the slot
+                // to counting state and resets the counts of all peers +
+                // MAX_MESSAGE_THRESHOLD + 1 messages to reach the threshold
+                // and switch the slot's state to peer selection.
+                for (int m = 1; m <= reduce_relay::MAX_MESSAGE_THRESHOLD + 2;
+                     m++)
+                {
+                    for (int peer = 0; peer < npeers; peer++)
+                    {
+                        // make unique message hash to make the
+                        // slot's internal hash router accept the message
+                        std::uint64_t mid = m * 1000 + peer;
+                        uint256 const message{mid};
+                        slots.updateSlotAndSquelch(
+                            message,
+                            validator,
+                            peer,
+                            protocol::MessageType::mtVALIDATION);
+                    }
+                }
+                // make Slot's internal hash router expire all messages
+                ManualClock::advance(hours(1));
+            };
+
+            using namespace reduce_relay;
+            // expect max duration less than MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_DEFAULT with
+            // less than or equal to 60 peers
+            run(20);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(
+                handler.maxDuration_ >= MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE.count() &&
+                handler.maxDuration_ <= MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_DEFAULT.count());
+            run(60);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(
+                handler.maxDuration_ >= MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE.count() &&
+                handler.maxDuration_ <= MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_DEFAULT.count());
+            // expect max duration greater than MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE and less
+            // than MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_PEERS with peers greater than 60
+            // and less than 360
+            run(350);
+            // can't make this condition stronger. squelch
+            // duration is probabilistic and max condition may still fail.
+            // log when the value is low
+            BEAST_EXPECT(
+                handler.maxDuration_ >= MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE.count() &&
+                handler.maxDuration_ <= MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_PEERS.count());
+            using namespace beast::unit_test::detail;
+            if (handler.maxDuration_ <= MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_DEFAULT.count())
+                log << make_reason(
+                           "warning: squelch duration is low",
+                           __FILE__,
+                           __LINE__)
+                    << std::endl
+                    << std::flush;
+            // more than 400 is still less than MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_PEERS
+            run(400);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(
+                handler.maxDuration_ >= MIN_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE.count() &&
+                handler.maxDuration_ <= MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_PEERS.count());
+            if (handler.maxDuration_ <= MAX_UNSQUELCH_EXPIRE_DEFAULT.count())
+                log << make_reason(
+                           "warning: squelch duration is low",
+                           __FILE__,
+                           __LINE__)
+                    << std::endl
+                    << std::flush;
+        });
+    }
+
+    void
+    testHandshake(bool log)
+    {
+        doTest("Handshake", log, [&](bool log) {
+            auto setEnv = [&](bool enable) {
+                Config c;
+                std::stringstream str;
+                str << "[reduce_relay]\n"
+                    << "vp_enable=" << enable << "\n"
+                    << "vp_squelch=" << enable << "\n"
+                    << "[compression]\n"
+                    << "1\n";
+                c.loadFromString(str.str());
+                env_.app().config().VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE =
+                    c.VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE;
+                env_.app().config().VP_REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH =
+                    c.VP_REDUCE_RELAY_SQUELCH;
+                env_.app().config().COMPRESSION = c.COMPRESSION;
+            };
+            auto handshake = [&](int outboundEnable, int inboundEnable) {
+                beast::IP::Address addr =
+                    boost::asio::ip::address::from_string("172.1.1.100");
+
+                setEnv(outboundEnable);
+                auto request = ripple::makeRequest(
+                    true,
+                    env_.app().config().COMPRESSION,
+                    env_.app().config().VP_REDUCE_RELAY_ENABLE);
+                http_request_type http_request;
+                http_request.version(request.version());
+                http_request.base() = request.base();
+                // feature enabled on the peer's connection only if both sides
+                // are enabled
+                auto const peerEnabled = inboundEnable && outboundEnable;
+                // inbound is enabled if the request's header has the feature
+                // enabled and the peer's configuration is enabled
+                auto const inboundEnabled = peerFeatureEnabled(
+                    http_request, FEATURE_VPRR, inboundEnable);
+                BEAST_EXPECT(!(peerEnabled ^ inboundEnabled));
+
+                setEnv(inboundEnable);
+                auto http_resp = ripple::makeResponse(
+                    true,
+                    http_request,
+                    addr,
+                    addr,
+                    uint256{1},
+                    1,
+                    {1, 0},
+                    env_.app());
+                // outbound is enabled if the response's header has the feature
+                // enabled and the peer's configuration is enabled
+                auto const outboundEnabled =
+                    peerFeatureEnabled(http_resp, FEATURE_VPRR, outboundEnable);
+                BEAST_EXPECT(!(peerEnabled ^ outboundEnabled));
+            };
+            handshake(1, 1);
+            handshake(1, 0);
+            handshake(0, 1);
+            handshake(0, 0);
+        });
+    }
+
     jtx::Env env_;
     Network network_;
 
@@ -1387,6 +1557,8 @@ public:
         testSelectedPeerDisconnects(log);
         testSelectedPeerStopsRelaying(log);
         testInternalHashRouter(log);
+        testRandomSquelch(log);
+        testHandshake(log);
     }
 };