diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 7caa8efef..0205c427f 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -26,6 +26,15 @@ BUG FIXES:
 - Graceful handling/recovery for apps that have non-determinism or fail to halt
 - Graceful handling/recovery for violations of safety, or liveness
 
+## 0.16.0 (TBD)
+
+BREAKING CHANGES:
+- [p2p] old `seeds` is now `persistent_peers` (persistent peers to which TM will always connect to)
+- [p2p] now `seeds` only used for getting addresses (if addrbook is empty; not persistent)
+
+FEATURES:
+- [p2p] added new `/dial_persistent_peers` **unsafe** endpoint
+
 ## 0.15.0 (December 29, 2017)
 
 BREAKING CHANGES:
diff --git a/benchmarks/blockchain/localsync.sh b/benchmarks/blockchain/localsync.sh
index e181c5655..389464b6c 100755
--- a/benchmarks/blockchain/localsync.sh
+++ b/benchmarks/blockchain/localsync.sh
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ tendermint node \
   --proxy_app dummy \
   --p2p.laddr tcp://127.0.0.1:56666 \
   --rpc.laddr tcp://127.0.0.1:56667 \
-  --p2p.seeds 127.0.0.1:56656 \
+  --p2p.persistent_peers 127.0.0.1:56656 \
   --log_level error &
 
 # wait for node to start up so we only count time where we are actually syncing
diff --git a/cmd/tendermint/commands/run_node.go b/cmd/tendermint/commands/run_node.go
index 0f37bb319..0eb7a4259 100644
--- a/cmd/tendermint/commands/run_node.go
+++ b/cmd/tendermint/commands/run_node.go
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ func AddNodeFlags(cmd *cobra.Command) {
 	// p2p flags
 	cmd.Flags().String("p2p.laddr", config.P2P.ListenAddress, "Node listen address. (0.0.0.0:0 means any interface, any port)")
 	cmd.Flags().String("p2p.seeds", config.P2P.Seeds, "Comma delimited host:port seed nodes")
+	cmd.Flags().String("p2p.persistent_peers", config.P2P.PersistentPeers, "Comma delimited host:port persistent peers")
 	cmd.Flags().Bool("p2p.skip_upnp", config.P2P.SkipUPNP, "Skip UPNP configuration")
 	cmd.Flags().Bool("p2p.pex", config.P2P.PexReactor, "Enable/disable Peer-Exchange")
 
diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index 6689adfcc..20845cb31 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ type RPCConfig struct {
 	// NOTE: This server only supports /broadcast_tx_commit
 	GRPCListenAddress string `mapstructure:"grpc_laddr"`
 
-	// Activate unsafe RPC commands like /dial_seeds and /unsafe_flush_mempool
+	// Activate unsafe RPC commands like /dial_persistent_peers and /unsafe_flush_mempool
 	Unsafe bool `mapstructure:"unsafe"`
 }
 
@@ -227,8 +227,13 @@ type P2PConfig struct {
 	ListenAddress string `mapstructure:"laddr"`
 
 	// Comma separated list of seed nodes to connect to
+	// We only use these if we can’t connect to peers in the addrbook
 	Seeds string `mapstructure:"seeds"`
 
+	// Comma separated list of persistent peers to connect to
+	// We always connect to these
+	PersistentPeers string `mapstructure:"persistent_peers"`
+
 	// Skip UPNP port forwarding
 	SkipUPNP bool `mapstructure:"skip_upnp"`
 
diff --git a/config/toml.go b/config/toml.go
index 92ceb7de4..f979af955 100644
--- a/config/toml.go
+++ b/config/toml.go
@@ -121,6 +121,9 @@ laddr = "{{ .P2P.ListenAddress }}"
 # Comma separated list of seed nodes to connect to
 seeds = ""
 
+# Comma separated list of nodes to keep persistent connections to
+persistent_peers = ""
+
 # Path to address book
 addr_book_file = "{{ .P2P.AddrBook }}"
 
diff --git a/docs/deploy-testnets.rst b/docs/deploy-testnets.rst
index 658330fe5..f59d4b650 100644
--- a/docs/deploy-testnets.rst
+++ b/docs/deploy-testnets.rst
@@ -24,13 +24,13 @@ Here are the steps to setting up a testnet manually:
    ``tendermint gen_validator``
 4) Compile a list of public keys for each validator into a
    ``genesis.json`` file.
-5) Run ``tendermint node --p2p.seeds=< seed addresses >`` on each node,
-   where ``< seed addresses >`` is a comma separated list of the IP:PORT
+5) Run ``tendermint node --p2p.persistent_peers=< peer addresses >`` on each node,
+   where ``< peer addresses >`` is a comma separated list of the IP:PORT
    combination for each node. The default port for Tendermint is
    ``46656``. Thus, if the IP addresses of your nodes were
    ``192.168.0.1, 192.168.0.2, 192.168.0.3, 192.168.0.4``, the command
    would look like:
-   ``tendermint node --p2p.seeds=192.168.0.1:46656,192.168.0.2:46656,192.168.0.3:46656,192.168.0.4:46656``.
+   ``tendermint node --p2p.persistent_peers=192.168.0.1:46656,192.168.0.2:46656,192.168.0.3:46656,192.168.0.4:46656``.
 
 After a few seconds, all the nodes should connect to eachother and start
 making blocks! For more information, see the Tendermint Networks section
diff --git a/docs/specification/configuration.rst b/docs/specification/configuration.rst
index 37359885c..cf6002908 100644
--- a/docs/specification/configuration.rst
+++ b/docs/specification/configuration.rst
@@ -88,6 +88,9 @@ like the file below, however, double check by inspecting the
     # Comma separated list of seed nodes to connect to
     seeds = ""
 
+    # Comma separated list of nodes to keep persistent connections to
+    persistent_peers = ""
+
     # Path to address book
     addr_book_file = "addrbook.json"
 
diff --git a/docs/specification/rpc.rst b/docs/specification/rpc.rst
index f8e9bd3a9..7df394d77 100644
--- a/docs/specification/rpc.rst
+++ b/docs/specification/rpc.rst
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ An HTTP Get request to the root RPC endpoint (e.g.
     http://localhost:46657/broadcast_tx_sync?tx=_
     http://localhost:46657/commit?height=_
     http://localhost:46657/dial_seeds?seeds=_
+    http://localhost:46657/dial_peers?peers=_&persistent=_
     http://localhost:46657/subscribe?event=_
     http://localhost:46657/tx?hash=_&prove=_
     http://localhost:46657/unsafe_start_cpu_profiler?filename=_
diff --git a/docs/using-tendermint.rst b/docs/using-tendermint.rst
index a7749d47b..735fce654 100644
--- a/docs/using-tendermint.rst
+++ b/docs/using-tendermint.rst
@@ -272,7 +272,9 @@ Peers
 ~~~~~
 
 To connect to peers on start-up, specify them in the ``$TMHOME/config/config.toml`` or
-on the command line.
+on the command line. Use `seeds` to specify seed nodes from which you can get many other
+peer addresses, and ``persistent_peers`` to specify peers that your node will maintain
+persistent connections with.
 
 For instance,
 
@@ -281,26 +283,35 @@ For instance,
     tendermint node --p2p.seeds "1.2.3.4:46656,5.6.7.8:46656"
 
 Alternatively, you can use the ``/dial_seeds`` endpoint of the RPC to
-specify peers for a running node to connect to:
+specify seeds for a running node to connect to:
 
 ::
 
-    curl --data-urlencode "seeds=[\"1.2.3.4:46656\",\"5.6.7.8:46656\"]" localhost:46657/dial_seeds
+    curl 'localhost:46657/dial_seeds?seeds=\["1.2.3.4:46656","5.6.7.8:46656"\]'
 
-Additionally, the peer-exchange protocol can be enabled using the
-``--pex`` flag, though this feature is `still under
-development <https://github.com/tendermint/tendermint/issues/598>`__. If
-``--pex`` is enabled, peers will gossip about known peers and form a
-more resilient network.
+Note, if the peer-exchange protocol (PEX) is enabled (default), you should not
+normally need seeds after the first start. Peers will be gossipping about known
+peers and forming a network, storing peer addresses in the addrbook.
+
+If you want Tendermint to connect to specific set of addresses and maintain a
+persistent connection with each, you can use the ``--p2p.persistent_peers``
+flag or the corresponding setting in the ``config.toml`` or the
+``/dial_peers`` RPC endpoint to do it without stopping Tendermint
+core instance.
+
+::
+
+    tendermint node --p2p.persistent_peers "10.11.12.13:46656,10.11.12.14:46656"
+    curl 'localhost:46657/dial_peers?persistent=true&peers=\["1.2.3.4:46656","5.6.7.8:46656"\]'
 
 Adding a Non-Validator
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 Adding a non-validator is simple. Just copy the original
 ``genesis.json`` to ``~/.tendermint/config`` on the new machine and start the
-node, specifying seeds as necessary. If no seeds are specified, the node
-won't make any blocks, because it's not a validator, and it won't hear
-about any blocks, because it's not connected to the other peer.
+node, specifying seeds or persistent peers as necessary. If no seeds or persistent
+peers are specified, the node won't make any blocks, because it's not a validator,
+and it won't hear about any blocks, because it's not connected to the other peer.
 
 Adding a Validator
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
@@ -371,7 +382,7 @@ and the new ``priv_validator.json`` to the ``~/.tendermint/config`` on a new
 machine.
 
 Now run ``tendermint node`` on both machines, and use either
-``--p2p.seeds`` or the ``/dial_seeds`` to get them to peer up. They
+``--p2p.persistent_peers`` or the ``/dial_peers`` to get them to peer up. They
 should start making blocks, and will only continue to do so as long as
 both of them are online.
 
diff --git a/node/node.go b/node/node.go
index fde8e1e0a..cf78a8aaa 100644
--- a/node/node.go
+++ b/node/node.go
@@ -255,7 +255,8 @@ func NewNode(config *cfg.Config,
 		trustMetricStore = trust.NewTrustMetricStore(trustHistoryDB, trust.DefaultConfig())
 		trustMetricStore.SetLogger(p2pLogger)
 
-		pexReactor := p2p.NewPEXReactor(addrBook)
+		pexReactor := p2p.NewPEXReactor(addrBook,
+			&p2p.PEXReactorConfig{Seeds: strings.Split(config.P2P.Seeds, ",")})
 		pexReactor.SetLogger(p2pLogger)
 		sw.AddReactor("PEX", pexReactor)
 	}
@@ -379,11 +380,10 @@ func (n *Node) OnStart() error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// If seeds exist, add them to the address book and dial out
-	if n.config.P2P.Seeds != "" {
-		// dial out
-		seeds := strings.Split(n.config.P2P.Seeds, ",")
-		if err := n.DialSeeds(seeds); err != nil {
+	// Always connect to persistent peers
+	if n.config.P2P.PersistentPeers != "" {
+		err = n.sw.DialPeersAsync(n.addrBook, strings.Split(n.config.P2P.PersistentPeers, ","), true)
+		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
@@ -575,11 +575,6 @@ func (n *Node) NodeInfo() *p2p.NodeInfo {
 	return n.sw.NodeInfo()
 }
 
-// DialSeeds dials the given seeds on the Switch.
-func (n *Node) DialSeeds(seeds []string) error {
-	return n.sw.DialSeeds(n.addrBook, seeds)
-}
-
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 var (
diff --git a/p2p/pex_reactor.go b/p2p/pex_reactor.go
index 2bfe7dcab..ce2bba8bc 100644
--- a/p2p/pex_reactor.go
+++ b/p2p/pex_reactor.go
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ type PEXReactor struct {
 	BaseReactor
 
 	book              *AddrBook
+	config            *PEXReactorConfig
 	ensurePeersPeriod time.Duration
 
 	// tracks message count by peer, so we can prevent abuse
@@ -52,10 +53,18 @@ type PEXReactor struct {
 	maxMsgCountByPeer uint16
 }
 
+// PEXReactorConfig holds reactor specific configuration data.
+type PEXReactorConfig struct {
+	// Seeds is a list of addresses reactor may use if it can't connect to peers
+	// in the addrbook.
+	Seeds []string
+}
+
 // NewPEXReactor creates new PEX reactor.
-func NewPEXReactor(b *AddrBook) *PEXReactor {
+func NewPEXReactor(b *AddrBook, config *PEXReactorConfig) *PEXReactor {
 	r := &PEXReactor{
 		book:              b,
+		config:            config,
 		ensurePeersPeriod: defaultEnsurePeersPeriod,
 		msgCountByPeer:    cmn.NewCMap(),
 		maxMsgCountByPeer: defaultMaxMsgCountByPeer,
@@ -100,7 +109,7 @@ func (r *PEXReactor) GetChannels() []*ChannelDescriptor {
 func (r *PEXReactor) AddPeer(p Peer) {
 	if p.IsOutbound() {
 		// For outbound peers, the address is already in the books.
-		// Either it was added in DialSeeds or when we
+		// Either it was added in DialPersistentPeers or when we
 		// received the peer's address in r.Receive
 		if r.book.NeedMoreAddrs() {
 			r.RequestPEX(p)
@@ -238,7 +247,7 @@ func (r *PEXReactor) ensurePeersRoutine() {
 // placeholder. It should not be the case that an address becomes old/vetted
 // upon a single successful connection.
 func (r *PEXReactor) ensurePeers() {
-	numOutPeers, _, numDialing := r.Switch.NumPeers()
+	numOutPeers, numInPeers, numDialing := r.Switch.NumPeers()
 	numToDial := minNumOutboundPeers - (numOutPeers + numDialing)
 	r.Logger.Info("Ensure peers", "numOutPeers", numOutPeers, "numDialing", numDialing, "numToDial", numToDial)
 	if numToDial <= 0 {
@@ -284,13 +293,20 @@ func (r *PEXReactor) ensurePeers() {
 
 	// If we need more addresses, pick a random peer and ask for more.
 	if r.book.NeedMoreAddrs() {
-		if peers := r.Switch.Peers().List(); len(peers) > 0 {
-			i := rand.Int() % len(peers) // nolint: gas
-			peer := peers[i]
-			r.Logger.Info("No addresses to dial. Sending pexRequest to random peer", "peer", peer)
+		peers := r.Switch.Peers().List()
+		peersCount := len(peers)
+		if peersCount > 0 {
+			peer := peers[rand.Int()%peersCount] // nolint: gas
+			r.Logger.Info("We need more addresses. Sending pexRequest to random peer", "peer", peer)
 			r.RequestPEX(peer)
 		}
 	}
+
+	// If we are not connected to nor dialing anybody, fallback to dialing seeds.
+	if numOutPeers+numInPeers+numDialing+len(toDial) == 0 {
+		r.Logger.Info("No addresses to dial nor connected peers. Will dial seeds", "seeds", r.config.Seeds)
+		r.Switch.DialPeersAsync(r.book, r.config.Seeds, false)
+	}
 }
 
 func (r *PEXReactor) flushMsgCountByPeer() {
diff --git a/p2p/pex_reactor_test.go b/p2p/pex_reactor_test.go
index a14f0eb2a..fc2fe687f 100644
--- a/p2p/pex_reactor_test.go
+++ b/p2p/pex_reactor_test.go
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ func TestPEXReactorBasic(t *testing.T) {
 	book := NewAddrBook(dir+"addrbook.json", true)
 	book.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
 
-	r := NewPEXReactor(book)
+	r := NewPEXReactor(book, &PEXReactorConfig{})
 	r.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
 
 	assert.NotNil(r)
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ func TestPEXReactorAddRemovePeer(t *testing.T) {
 	book := NewAddrBook(dir+"addrbook.json", true)
 	book.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
 
-	r := NewPEXReactor(book)
+	r := NewPEXReactor(book, &PEXReactorConfig{})
 	r.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
 
 	size := book.Size()
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func TestPEXReactorRunning(t *testing.T) {
 		switches[i] = makeSwitch(config, i, "127.0.0.1", "123.123.123", func(i int, sw *Switch) *Switch {
 			sw.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger().With("switch", i))
 
-			r := NewPEXReactor(book)
+			r := NewPEXReactor(book, &PEXReactorConfig{})
 			r.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
 			r.SetEnsurePeersPeriod(250 * time.Millisecond)
 			sw.AddReactor("pex", r)
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ func TestPEXReactorRunning(t *testing.T) {
 
 func assertSomePeersWithTimeout(t *testing.T, switches []*Switch, checkPeriod, timeout time.Duration) {
 	ticker := time.NewTicker(checkPeriod)
+	remaining := timeout
 	for {
 		select {
 		case <-ticker.C:
@@ -118,16 +119,21 @@ func assertSomePeersWithTimeout(t *testing.T, switches []*Switch, checkPeriod, t
 					allGood = false
 				}
 			}
+			remaining -= checkPeriod
+			if remaining < 0 {
+				remaining = 0
+			}
 			if allGood {
 				return
 			}
-		case <-time.After(timeout):
+		case <-time.After(remaining):
 			numPeersStr := ""
 			for i, s := range switches {
 				outbound, inbound, _ := s.NumPeers()
 				numPeersStr += fmt.Sprintf("%d => {outbound: %d, inbound: %d}, ", i, outbound, inbound)
 			}
 			t.Errorf("expected all switches to be connected to at least one peer (switches: %s)", numPeersStr)
+			return
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -141,7 +147,7 @@ func TestPEXReactorReceive(t *testing.T) {
 	book := NewAddrBook(dir+"addrbook.json", false)
 	book.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
 
-	r := NewPEXReactor(book)
+	r := NewPEXReactor(book, &PEXReactorConfig{})
 	r.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
 
 	peer := createRandomPeer(false)
@@ -166,7 +172,7 @@ func TestPEXReactorAbuseFromPeer(t *testing.T) {
 	book := NewAddrBook(dir+"addrbook.json", true)
 	book.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
 
-	r := NewPEXReactor(book)
+	r := NewPEXReactor(book, &PEXReactorConfig{})
 	r.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
 	r.SetMaxMsgCountByPeer(5)
 
@@ -180,6 +186,47 @@ func TestPEXReactorAbuseFromPeer(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.True(r.ReachedMaxMsgCountForPeer(peer.NodeInfo().ListenAddr))
 }
 
+func TestPEXReactorUsesSeedsIfNeeded(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, err := ioutil.TempDir("", "pex_reactor")
+	require.Nil(t, err)
+	defer os.RemoveAll(dir) // nolint: errcheck
+
+	book := NewAddrBook(dir+"addrbook.json", false)
+	book.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
+
+	// 1. create seed
+	seed := makeSwitch(config, 0, "127.0.0.1", "123.123.123", func(i int, sw *Switch) *Switch {
+		sw.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
+
+		r := NewPEXReactor(book, &PEXReactorConfig{})
+		r.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
+		r.SetEnsurePeersPeriod(250 * time.Millisecond)
+		sw.AddReactor("pex", r)
+		return sw
+	})
+	seed.AddListener(NewDefaultListener("tcp", seed.NodeInfo().ListenAddr, true, log.TestingLogger()))
+	err = seed.Start()
+	require.Nil(t, err)
+	defer seed.Stop()
+
+	// 2. create usual peer
+	sw := makeSwitch(config, 1, "127.0.0.1", "123.123.123", func(i int, sw *Switch) *Switch {
+		sw.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
+
+		r := NewPEXReactor(book, &PEXReactorConfig{Seeds: []string{seed.NodeInfo().ListenAddr}})
+		r.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
+		r.SetEnsurePeersPeriod(250 * time.Millisecond)
+		sw.AddReactor("pex", r)
+		return sw
+	})
+	err = sw.Start()
+	require.Nil(t, err)
+	defer sw.Stop()
+
+	// 3. check that peer at least connects to seed
+	assertSomePeersWithTimeout(t, []*Switch{sw}, 10*time.Millisecond, 10*time.Second)
+}
+
 func createRoutableAddr() (addr string, netAddr *NetAddress) {
 	for {
 		addr = cmn.Fmt("%v.%v.%v.%v:46656", rand.Int()%256, rand.Int()%256, rand.Int()%256, rand.Int()%256)
diff --git a/p2p/switch.go b/p2p/switch.go
index 76b019806..95c632aa7 100644
--- a/p2p/switch.go
+++ b/p2p/switch.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import (
 
 const (
 	// wait a random amount of time from this interval
-	// before dialing seeds or reconnecting to help prevent DoS
+	// before dialing peers or reconnecting to help prevent DoS
 	dialRandomizerIntervalMilliseconds = 3000
 
 	// repeatedly try to reconnect for a few minutes
@@ -315,15 +315,15 @@ func (sw *Switch) startInitPeer(peer *peer) {
 	}
 }
 
-// DialSeeds dials a list of seeds asynchronously in random order.
-func (sw *Switch) DialSeeds(addrBook *AddrBook, seeds []string) error {
-	netAddrs, errs := NewNetAddressStrings(seeds)
+// DialPeersAsync dials a list of peers asynchronously in random order (optionally, making them persistent).
+func (sw *Switch) DialPeersAsync(addrBook *AddrBook, peers []string, persistent bool) error {
+	netAddrs, errs := NewNetAddressStrings(peers)
 	for _, err := range errs {
-		sw.Logger.Error("Error in seed's address", "err", err)
+		sw.Logger.Error("Error in peer's address", "err", err)
 	}
 
 	if addrBook != nil {
-		// add seeds to `addrBook`
+		// add peers to `addrBook`
 		ourAddrS := sw.nodeInfo.ListenAddr
 		ourAddr, _ := NewNetAddressString(ourAddrS)
 		for _, netAddr := range netAddrs {
@@ -342,7 +342,12 @@ func (sw *Switch) DialSeeds(addrBook *AddrBook, seeds []string) error {
 		go func(i int) {
 			sw.randomSleep(0)
 			j := perm[i]
-			sw.dialSeed(netAddrs[j])
+			peer, err := sw.DialPeerWithAddress(netAddrs[j], persistent)
+			if err != nil {
+				sw.Logger.Error("Error dialing peer", "err", err)
+			} else {
+				sw.Logger.Info("Connected to peer", "peer", peer)
+			}
 		}(i)
 	}
 	return nil
@@ -354,15 +359,6 @@ func (sw *Switch) randomSleep(interval time.Duration) {
 	time.Sleep(r + interval)
 }
 
-func (sw *Switch) dialSeed(addr *NetAddress) {
-	peer, err := sw.DialPeerWithAddress(addr, true)
-	if err != nil {
-		sw.Logger.Error("Error dialing seed", "err", err)
-	} else {
-		sw.Logger.Info("Connected to seed", "peer", peer)
-	}
-}
-
 // DialPeerWithAddress dials the given peer and runs sw.addPeer if it connects successfully.
 // If `persistent == true`, the switch will always try to reconnect to this peer if the connection ever fails.
 func (sw *Switch) DialPeerWithAddress(addr *NetAddress, persistent bool) (Peer, error) {
diff --git a/p2p/trust/metric_test.go b/p2p/trust/metric_test.go
index 00219a19e..69c9f8f2a 100644
--- a/p2p/trust/metric_test.go
+++ b/p2p/trust/metric_test.go
@@ -68,7 +68,9 @@ func TestTrustMetricStopPause(t *testing.T) {
 	tt.NextTick()
 	tm.Pause()
 
+	// could be 1 or 2 because Pause and NextTick race
 	first := tm.Copy().numIntervals
+
 	// Allow more time to pass and check the intervals are unchanged
 	tt.NextTick()
 	tt.NextTick()
diff --git a/p2p/trust/ticker.go b/p2p/trust/ticker.go
index bce9fcc24..3f0f30919 100644
--- a/p2p/trust/ticker.go
+++ b/p2p/trust/ticker.go
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ type TestTicker struct {
 
 // NewTestTicker returns our ticker used within test routines
 func NewTestTicker() *TestTicker {
-	c := make(chan time.Time, 1)
+	c := make(chan time.Time)
 	return &TestTicker{
 		C: c,
 	}
diff --git a/rpc/client/localclient.go b/rpc/client/localclient.go
index 71f25ef23..5e0573a1b 100644
--- a/rpc/client/localclient.go
+++ b/rpc/client/localclient.go
@@ -88,6 +88,10 @@ func (Local) DialSeeds(seeds []string) (*ctypes.ResultDialSeeds, error) {
 	return core.UnsafeDialSeeds(seeds)
 }
 
+func (Local) DialPeers(peers []string, persistent bool) (*ctypes.ResultDialPeers, error) {
+	return core.UnsafeDialPeers(peers, persistent)
+}
+
 func (Local) BlockchainInfo(minHeight, maxHeight int64) (*ctypes.ResultBlockchainInfo, error) {
 	return core.BlockchainInfo(minHeight, maxHeight)
 }
diff --git a/rpc/client/mock/client.go b/rpc/client/mock/client.go
index dc75e04cb..6c4728986 100644
--- a/rpc/client/mock/client.go
+++ b/rpc/client/mock/client.go
@@ -111,6 +111,10 @@ func (c Client) DialSeeds(seeds []string) (*ctypes.ResultDialSeeds, error) {
 	return core.UnsafeDialSeeds(seeds)
 }
 
+func (c Client) DialPeers(peers []string, persistent bool) (*ctypes.ResultDialPeers, error) {
+	return core.UnsafeDialPeers(peers, persistent)
+}
+
 func (c Client) BlockchainInfo(minHeight, maxHeight int64) (*ctypes.ResultBlockchainInfo, error) {
 	return core.BlockchainInfo(minHeight, maxHeight)
 }
diff --git a/rpc/core/doc.go b/rpc/core/doc.go
index d3ec5d3b6..5f3e2dced 100644
--- a/rpc/core/doc.go
+++ b/rpc/core/doc.go
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ Endpoints that require arguments:
 /broadcast_tx_sync?tx=_
 /commit?height=_
 /dial_seeds?seeds=_
+/dial_persistent_peers?persistent_peers=_
 /subscribe?event=_
 /tx?hash=_&prove=_
 /unsafe_start_cpu_profiler?filename=_
diff --git a/rpc/core/net.go b/rpc/core/net.go
index b3f1c7ce5..af52c81cc 100644
--- a/rpc/core/net.go
+++ b/rpc/core/net.go
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 package core
 
 import (
-	"fmt"
-
+	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	ctypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/rpc/core/types"
 )
 
@@ -55,19 +54,31 @@ func NetInfo() (*ctypes.ResultNetInfo, error) {
 }
 
 func UnsafeDialSeeds(seeds []string) (*ctypes.ResultDialSeeds, error) {
-
 	if len(seeds) == 0 {
-		return &ctypes.ResultDialSeeds{}, fmt.Errorf("No seeds provided")
+		return &ctypes.ResultDialSeeds{}, errors.New("No seeds provided")
 	}
-	// starts go routines to dial each seed after random delays
+	// starts go routines to dial each peer after random delays
 	logger.Info("DialSeeds", "addrBook", addrBook, "seeds", seeds)
-	err := p2pSwitch.DialSeeds(addrBook, seeds)
+	err := p2pSwitch.DialPeersAsync(addrBook, seeds, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return &ctypes.ResultDialSeeds{}, err
 	}
 	return &ctypes.ResultDialSeeds{"Dialing seeds in progress. See /net_info for details"}, nil
 }
 
+func UnsafeDialPeers(peers []string, persistent bool) (*ctypes.ResultDialPeers, error) {
+	if len(peers) == 0 {
+		return &ctypes.ResultDialPeers{}, errors.New("No peers provided")
+	}
+	// starts go routines to dial each peer after random delays
+	logger.Info("DialPeers", "addrBook", addrBook, "peers", peers, "persistent", persistent)
+	err := p2pSwitch.DialPeersAsync(addrBook, peers, persistent)
+	if err != nil {
+		return &ctypes.ResultDialPeers{}, err
+	}
+	return &ctypes.ResultDialPeers{"Dialing peers in progress. See /net_info for details"}, nil
+}
+
 // Get genesis file.
 //
 // ```shell
diff --git a/rpc/core/pipe.go b/rpc/core/pipe.go
index 927d7ccad..6d67fd898 100644
--- a/rpc/core/pipe.go
+++ b/rpc/core/pipe.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ type P2P interface {
 	NumPeers() (outbound, inbound, dialig int)
 	NodeInfo() *p2p.NodeInfo
 	IsListening() bool
-	DialSeeds(*p2p.AddrBook, []string) error
+	DialPeersAsync(*p2p.AddrBook, []string, bool) error
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------
diff --git a/rpc/core/routes.go b/rpc/core/routes.go
index fb5a1fd36..3ea7aa08c 100644
--- a/rpc/core/routes.go
+++ b/rpc/core/routes.go
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ var Routes = map[string]*rpc.RPCFunc{
 func AddUnsafeRoutes() {
 	// control API
 	Routes["dial_seeds"] = rpc.NewRPCFunc(UnsafeDialSeeds, "seeds")
+	Routes["dial_peers"] = rpc.NewRPCFunc(UnsafeDialPeers, "peers,persistent")
 	Routes["unsafe_flush_mempool"] = rpc.NewRPCFunc(UnsafeFlushMempool, "")
 
 	// profiler API
diff --git a/rpc/core/types/responses.go b/rpc/core/types/responses.go
index dae7c0046..bffdd0281 100644
--- a/rpc/core/types/responses.go
+++ b/rpc/core/types/responses.go
@@ -86,6 +86,10 @@ type ResultDialSeeds struct {
 	Log string `json:"log"`
 }
 
+type ResultDialPeers struct {
+	Log string `json:"log"`
+}
+
 type Peer struct {
 	p2p.NodeInfo     `json:"node_info"`
 	IsOutbound       bool                 `json:"is_outbound"`
diff --git a/test/p2p/README.md b/test/p2p/README.md
index e2a577cfa..b68f7a819 100644
--- a/test/p2p/README.md
+++ b/test/p2p/README.md
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ for i in $(seq 1 4); do
 	  --name local_testnet_$i \
 	  --entrypoint tendermint \
 	  -e TMHOME=/go/src/github.com/tendermint/tendermint/test/p2p/data/mach$i/core \
-	  tendermint_tester node --p2p.seeds 172.57.0.101:46656,172.57.0.102:46656,172.57.0.103:46656,172.57.0.104:46656 --proxy_app=dummy
+	  tendermint_tester node --p2p.persistent_peers 172.57.0.101:46656,172.57.0.102:46656,172.57.0.103:46656,172.57.0.104:46656 --proxy_app=dummy
 done
 ```
 
diff --git a/test/p2p/fast_sync/test_peer.sh b/test/p2p/fast_sync/test_peer.sh
index 8174be0e7..1f341bf5d 100644
--- a/test/p2p/fast_sync/test_peer.sh
+++ b/test/p2p/fast_sync/test_peer.sh
@@ -23,11 +23,11 @@ docker rm -vf local_testnet_$ID
 set -e
 
 # restart peer - should have an empty blockchain
-SEEDS="$(test/p2p/ip.sh 1):46656"
+PERSISTENT_PEERS="$(test/p2p/ip.sh 1):46656"
 for j in `seq 2 $N`; do
-	SEEDS="$SEEDS,$(test/p2p/ip.sh $j):46656"
+	PERSISTENT_PEERS="$PERSISTENT_PEERS,$(test/p2p/ip.sh $j):46656"
 done
-bash test/p2p/peer.sh $DOCKER_IMAGE $NETWORK_NAME $ID $PROXY_APP "--p2p.seeds $SEEDS --p2p.pex --rpc.unsafe"
+bash test/p2p/peer.sh $DOCKER_IMAGE $NETWORK_NAME $ID $PROXY_APP "--p2p.persistent_peers $PERSISTENT_PEERS --p2p.pex --rpc.unsafe"
 
 # wait for peer to sync and check the app hash
 bash test/p2p/client.sh $DOCKER_IMAGE $NETWORK_NAME fs_$ID "test/p2p/fast_sync/check_peer.sh $ID"
diff --git a/test/p2p/local_testnet_start.sh b/test/p2p/local_testnet_start.sh
index f70bdf04c..25b3c6d3e 100644
--- a/test/p2p/local_testnet_start.sh
+++ b/test/p2p/local_testnet_start.sh
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@ N=$3
 APP_PROXY=$4
 
 set +u
-SEEDS=$5
-if [[ "$SEEDS" != "" ]]; then
-	echo "Seeds: $SEEDS"
-	SEEDS="--p2p.seeds $SEEDS"
+PERSISTENT_PEERS=$5
+if [[ "$PERSISTENT_PEERS" != "" ]]; then
+	echo "PersistentPeers: $PERSISTENT_PEERS"
+	PERSISTENT_PEERS="--p2p.persistent_peers $PERSISTENT_PEERS"
 fi
 set -u
 
@@ -20,5 +20,5 @@ cd "$GOPATH/src/github.com/tendermint/tendermint"
 docker network create --driver bridge --subnet 172.57.0.0/16 "$NETWORK_NAME"
 
 for i in $(seq 1 "$N"); do
-	bash test/p2p/peer.sh "$DOCKER_IMAGE" "$NETWORK_NAME" "$i" "$APP_PROXY" "$SEEDS --p2p.pex --rpc.unsafe"
+	bash test/p2p/peer.sh "$DOCKER_IMAGE" "$NETWORK_NAME" "$i" "$APP_PROXY" "$PERSISTENT_PEERS --p2p.pex --rpc.unsafe"
 done
diff --git a/test/p2p/persistent_peers.sh b/test/p2p/persistent_peers.sh
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4ad55bc03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/p2p/persistent_peers.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#! /bin/bash
+set -eu
+
+N=$1
+
+cd "$GOPATH/src/github.com/tendermint/tendermint"
+
+persistent_peers="$(test/p2p/ip.sh 1):46656"
+for i in $(seq 2 $N); do
+	persistent_peers="$persistent_peers,$(test/p2p/ip.sh $i):46656"
+done
+echo "$persistent_peers"
diff --git a/test/p2p/pex/dial_seeds.sh b/test/p2p/pex/dial_persistent_peers.sh
similarity index 54%
rename from test/p2p/pex/dial_seeds.sh
rename to test/p2p/pex/dial_persistent_peers.sh
index 15c22af67..95c1d6e9c 100644
--- a/test/p2p/pex/dial_seeds.sh
+++ b/test/p2p/pex/dial_persistent_peers.sh
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#! /bin/bash 
+#! /bin/bash
 set -u
 
 N=$1
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ for i in `seq 1 $N`; do
 	curl -s $addr/status > /dev/null
 	ERR=$?
 	while [ "$ERR" != 0 ]; do
-		sleep 1	
+		sleep 1
 		curl -s $addr/status > /dev/null
 		ERR=$?
 	done
@@ -19,13 +19,13 @@ for i in `seq 1 $N`; do
 done
 
 set -e
-# seeds need quotes
-seeds="\"$(test/p2p/ip.sh 1):46656\""
+# persistent_peers need quotes
+persistent_peers="\"$(test/p2p/ip.sh 1):46656\""
 for i in `seq 2 $N`; do
-	seeds="$seeds,\"$(test/p2p/ip.sh $i):46656\""
+	persistent_peers="$persistent_peers,\"$(test/p2p/ip.sh $i):46656\""
 done
-echo $seeds
+echo $persistent_peers
 
-echo $seeds
+echo $persistent_peers
 IP=$(test/p2p/ip.sh 1)
-curl --data-urlencode "seeds=[$seeds]" "$IP:46657/dial_seeds"
+curl --data-urlencode "persistent_peers=[$persistent_peers]" "$IP:46657/dial_persistent_peers"
diff --git a/test/p2p/pex/test.sh b/test/p2p/pex/test.sh
index d54d81350..06d40c3ed 100644
--- a/test/p2p/pex/test.sh
+++ b/test/p2p/pex/test.sh
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ NETWORK_NAME=$2
 N=$3
 PROXY_APP=$4
 
-cd $GOPATH/src/github.com/tendermint/tendermint
+cd "$GOPATH/src/github.com/tendermint/tendermint"
 
 echo "Test reconnecting from the address book"
-bash test/p2p/pex/test_addrbook.sh $DOCKER_IMAGE $NETWORK_NAME $N $PROXY_APP
+bash test/p2p/pex/test_addrbook.sh "$DOCKER_IMAGE" "$NETWORK_NAME" "$N" "$PROXY_APP"
 
-echo "Test connecting via /dial_seeds"
-bash test/p2p/pex/test_dial_seeds.sh $DOCKER_IMAGE $NETWORK_NAME $N $PROXY_APP
+echo "Test connecting via /dial_persistent_peers"
+bash test/p2p/pex/test_dial_persistent_peers.sh "$DOCKER_IMAGE" "$NETWORK_NAME" "$N" "$PROXY_APP"
diff --git a/test/p2p/pex/test_addrbook.sh b/test/p2p/pex/test_addrbook.sh
index 35dcb89d3..1dd26b172 100644
--- a/test/p2p/pex/test_addrbook.sh
+++ b/test/p2p/pex/test_addrbook.sh
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ PROXY_APP=$4
 ID=1
 
 echo "----------------------------------------------------------------------"
-echo "Testing pex creates the addrbook and uses it if seeds are not provided"
+echo "Testing pex creates the addrbook and uses it if persistent_peers are not provided"
 echo "(assuming peers are started with pex enabled)"
 
 CLIENT_NAME="pex_addrbook_$ID"
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ set +e #CIRCLE
 docker rm -vf "local_testnet_$ID"
 set -e
 
-# NOTE that we do not provide seeds
+# NOTE that we do not provide persistent_peers
 bash test/p2p/peer.sh "$DOCKER_IMAGE" "$NETWORK_NAME" "$ID" "$PROXY_APP" "--p2p.pex --rpc.unsafe"
 docker cp "/tmp/addrbook.json" "local_testnet_$ID:/go/src/github.com/tendermint/tendermint/test/p2p/data/mach1/core/addrbook.json"
 echo "with the following addrbook:"
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ echo ""
 bash test/p2p/client.sh "$DOCKER_IMAGE" "$NETWORK_NAME" "$CLIENT_NAME" "test/p2p/pex/check_peer.sh $ID $N"
 
 echo "----------------------------------------------------------------------"
-echo "Testing other peers connect to us if we have neither seeds nor the addrbook"
+echo "Testing other peers connect to us if we have neither persistent_peers nor the addrbook"
 echo "(assuming peers are started with pex enabled)"
 
 CLIENT_NAME="pex_no_addrbook_$ID"
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ set +e #CIRCLE
 docker rm -vf "local_testnet_$ID"
 set -e 
 
-# NOTE that we do not provide seeds
+# NOTE that we do not provide persistent_peers
 bash test/p2p/peer.sh "$DOCKER_IMAGE" "$NETWORK_NAME" "$ID" "$PROXY_APP" "--p2p.pex --rpc.unsafe"
 
 # if the client runs forever, it means other peers have removed us from their books (which should not happen)
diff --git a/test/p2p/pex/test_dial_seeds.sh b/test/p2p/pex/test_dial_persistent_peers.sh
similarity index 73%
rename from test/p2p/pex/test_dial_seeds.sh
rename to test/p2p/pex/test_dial_persistent_peers.sh
index ea72004db..7dda62b13 100644
--- a/test/p2p/pex/test_dial_seeds.sh
+++ b/test/p2p/pex/test_dial_persistent_peers.sh
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ ID=1
 cd $GOPATH/src/github.com/tendermint/tendermint
 
 echo "----------------------------------------------------------------------"
-echo "Testing full network connection using one /dial_seeds call"
+echo "Testing full network connection using one /dial_persistent_peers call"
 echo "(assuming peers are started with pex enabled)"
 
 # stop the existing testnet and remove local network
@@ -21,16 +21,16 @@ set -e
 
 # start the testnet on a local network
 # NOTE we re-use the same network for all tests
-SEEDS=""
-bash test/p2p/local_testnet_start.sh $DOCKER_IMAGE $NETWORK_NAME $N $PROXY_APP $SEEDS
+PERSISTENT_PEERS=""
+bash test/p2p/local_testnet_start.sh $DOCKER_IMAGE $NETWORK_NAME $N $PROXY_APP $PERSISTENT_PEERS
 
 
 
-# dial seeds from one node
-CLIENT_NAME="dial_seeds"
-bash test/p2p/client.sh $DOCKER_IMAGE $NETWORK_NAME $CLIENT_NAME "test/p2p/pex/dial_seeds.sh $N"
+# dial persistent_peers from one node
+CLIENT_NAME="dial_persistent_peers"
+bash test/p2p/client.sh $DOCKER_IMAGE $NETWORK_NAME $CLIENT_NAME "test/p2p/pex/dial_persistent_peers.sh $N"
 
 # test basic connectivity and consensus
 # start client container and check the num peers and height for all nodes
-CLIENT_NAME="dial_seeds_basic"
+CLIENT_NAME="dial_persistent_peers_basic"
 bash test/p2p/client.sh $DOCKER_IMAGE $NETWORK_NAME $CLIENT_NAME "test/p2p/basic/test.sh $N"
diff --git a/test/p2p/seeds.sh b/test/p2p/seeds.sh
deleted file mode 100644
index 4bf866cba..000000000
--- a/test/p2p/seeds.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-#! /bin/bash
-set -eu
-
-N=$1
-
-cd "$GOPATH/src/github.com/tendermint/tendermint"
-
-seeds="$(test/p2p/ip.sh 1):46656"
-for i in $(seq 2 $N); do
-	seeds="$seeds,$(test/p2p/ip.sh $i):46656"
-done
-echo "$seeds"
diff --git a/test/p2p/test.sh b/test/p2p/test.sh
index 6a5537b98..c95f69733 100644
--- a/test/p2p/test.sh
+++ b/test/p2p/test.sh
@@ -13,11 +13,11 @@ set +e
 bash test/p2p/local_testnet_stop.sh "$NETWORK_NAME" "$N"
 set -e
 
-SEEDS=$(bash test/p2p/seeds.sh $N)
+PERSISTENT_PEERS=$(bash test/p2p/persistent_peers.sh $N)
 
 # start the testnet on a local network
 # NOTE we re-use the same network for all tests
-bash test/p2p/local_testnet_start.sh "$DOCKER_IMAGE" "$NETWORK_NAME" "$N" "$PROXY_APP" "$SEEDS"
+bash test/p2p/local_testnet_start.sh "$DOCKER_IMAGE" "$NETWORK_NAME" "$N" "$PROXY_APP" "$PERSISTENT_PEERS"
 
 # test basic connectivity and consensus
 # start client container and check the num peers and height for all nodes