diff --git a/network/default.go b/network/default.go
index 8000255d..6952aaa2 100644
--- a/network/default.go
+++ b/network/default.go
@@ -144,6 +144,18 @@ func newNetwork(opts ...Option) Network {
 	return network
 }
 
+func (n *network) Init(opts ...Option) error {
+	n.Lock()
+	defer n.Unlock()
+
+	// TODO: maybe only allow reinit of certain opts
+	for _, o := range opts {
+		o(&n.options)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // Options returns network options
 func (n *network) Options() Options {
 	n.RLock()
@@ -163,9 +175,6 @@ func (n *network) Name() string {
 func (n *network) resolveNodes() ([]string, error) {
 	// resolve the network address to network nodes
 	records, err := n.options.Resolver.Resolve(n.options.Name)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
 
 	nodeMap := make(map[string]bool)
 
@@ -197,6 +206,7 @@ func (n *network) resolveNodes() ([]string, error) {
 		// resolve anything that looks like a host name
 		records, err := dns.Resolve(node)
 		if err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("Failed to resolve %v %v", node, err)
 			continue
 		}
 
@@ -208,7 +218,7 @@ func (n *network) resolveNodes() ([]string, error) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	return nodes, nil
+	return nodes, err
 }
 
 // resolve continuously resolves network nodes and initializes network tunnel with resolved addresses
@@ -335,7 +345,7 @@ func (n *network) processNetChan(client transport.Client, listener tunnel.Listen
 				if pbNetPeer.Node.Id == n.options.Id {
 					continue
 				}
-				log.Debugf("Network received peer message from: %s", pbNetPeer.Node.Id)
+				log.Debugf("Network received peer message from: %s %s", pbNetPeer.Node.Id, pbNetPeer.Node.Address)
 				peer := &node{
 					id:       pbNetPeer.Node.Id,
 					address:  pbNetPeer.Node.Address,
@@ -759,14 +769,25 @@ func (n *network) advertise(client transport.Client, advertChan <-chan *router.A
 	}
 }
 
+func (n *network) sendConnect() {
+	// send connect message to NetworkChannel
+	// NOTE: in theory we could do this as soon as
+	// Dial to NetworkChannel succeeds, but instead
+	// we initialize all other node resources first
+	msg := &pbNet.Connect{
+		Node: &pbNet.Node{
+			Id:      n.node.id,
+			Address: n.node.address,
+		},
+	}
+	if err := n.sendMsg("connect", msg, NetworkChannel); err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("Network failed to send connect message: %s", err)
+	}
+}
+
 // Connect connects the network
 func (n *network) Connect() error {
 	n.Lock()
-	// return if already connected
-	if n.connected {
-		n.Unlock()
-		return nil
-	}
 
 	// try to resolve network nodes
 	nodes, err := n.resolveNodes()
@@ -785,6 +806,15 @@ func (n *network) Connect() error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	// return if already connected
+	if n.connected {
+		// unlock first
+		n.Unlock()
+		// send the connect message
+		n.sendConnect()
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	// set our internal node address
 	// if advertise address is not set
 	if len(n.options.Advertise) == 0 {
@@ -846,19 +876,8 @@ func (n *network) Connect() error {
 	}
 	n.Unlock()
 
-	// send connect message to NetworkChannel
-	// NOTE: in theory we could do this as soon as
-	// Dial to NetworkChannel succeeds, but instead
-	// we initialize all other node resources first
-	msg := &pbNet.Connect{
-		Node: &pbNet.Node{
-			Id:      n.node.id,
-			Address: n.node.address,
-		},
-	}
-	if err := n.sendMsg("connect", msg, NetworkChannel); err != nil {
-		log.Debugf("Network failed to send connect message: %s", err)
-	}
+	// send the connect message
+	n.sendConnect()
 
 	// go resolving network nodes
 	go n.resolve()
diff --git a/network/network.go b/network/network.go
index ef303992..e927241b 100644
--- a/network/network.go
+++ b/network/network.go
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ type Node interface {
 type Network interface {
 	// Node is network node
 	Node
+	// Initialise options
+	Init(...Option) error
 	// Options returns the network options
 	Options() Options
 	// Name of the network
diff --git a/network/proto/network.micro.go b/network/proto/network.micro.go
index 7dee3697..28e473cb 100644
--- a/network/proto/network.micro.go
+++ b/network/proto/network.micro.go
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ var _ server.Option
 // Client API for Network service
 
 type NetworkService interface {
+	// Connect to the network
+	Connect(ctx context.Context, in *ConnectRequest, opts ...client.CallOption) (*ConnectResponse, error)
 	// Returns the entire network graph
 	Graph(ctx context.Context, in *GraphRequest, opts ...client.CallOption) (*GraphResponse, error)
 	// Returns a list of known nodes in the network
@@ -63,6 +65,16 @@ func NewNetworkService(name string, c client.Client) NetworkService {
 	}
 }
 
+func (c *networkService) Connect(ctx context.Context, in *ConnectRequest, opts ...client.CallOption) (*ConnectResponse, error) {
+	req := c.c.NewRequest(c.name, "Network.Connect", in)
+	out := new(ConnectResponse)
+	err := c.c.Call(ctx, req, out, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
 func (c *networkService) Graph(ctx context.Context, in *GraphRequest, opts ...client.CallOption) (*GraphResponse, error) {
 	req := c.c.NewRequest(c.name, "Network.Graph", in)
 	out := new(GraphResponse)
@@ -106,6 +118,8 @@ func (c *networkService) Services(ctx context.Context, in *ServicesRequest, opts
 // Server API for Network service
 
 type NetworkHandler interface {
+	// Connect to the network
+	Connect(context.Context, *ConnectRequest, *ConnectResponse) error
 	// Returns the entire network graph
 	Graph(context.Context, *GraphRequest, *GraphResponse) error
 	// Returns a list of known nodes in the network
@@ -118,6 +132,7 @@ type NetworkHandler interface {
 
 func RegisterNetworkHandler(s server.Server, hdlr NetworkHandler, opts ...server.HandlerOption) error {
 	type network interface {
+		Connect(ctx context.Context, in *ConnectRequest, out *ConnectResponse) error
 		Graph(ctx context.Context, in *GraphRequest, out *GraphResponse) error
 		Nodes(ctx context.Context, in *NodesRequest, out *NodesResponse) error
 		Routes(ctx context.Context, in *RoutesRequest, out *RoutesResponse) error
@@ -134,6 +149,10 @@ type networkHandler struct {
 	NetworkHandler
 }
 
+func (h *networkHandler) Connect(ctx context.Context, in *ConnectRequest, out *ConnectResponse) error {
+	return h.NetworkHandler.Connect(ctx, in, out)
+}
+
 func (h *networkHandler) Graph(ctx context.Context, in *GraphRequest, out *GraphResponse) error {
 	return h.NetworkHandler.Graph(ctx, in, out)
 }
diff --git a/network/proto/network.pb.go b/network/proto/network.pb.go
index 694c9ecd..4e81fa65 100644
--- a/network/proto/network.pb.go
+++ b/network/proto/network.pb.go
@@ -95,6 +95,76 @@ func (m *Query) GetNetwork() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
+type ConnectRequest struct {
+	Nodes                []*Node  `protobuf:"bytes,1,rep,name=nodes,proto3" json:"nodes,omitempty"`
+	XXX_NoUnkeyedLiteral struct{} `json:"-"`
+	XXX_unrecognized     []byte   `json:"-"`
+	XXX_sizecache        int32    `json:"-"`
+}
+
+func (m *ConnectRequest) Reset()         { *m = ConnectRequest{} }
+func (m *ConnectRequest) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
+func (*ConnectRequest) ProtoMessage()    {}
+func (*ConnectRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{1}
+}
+
+func (m *ConnectRequest) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
+	return xxx_messageInfo_ConnectRequest.Unmarshal(m, b)
+}
+func (m *ConnectRequest) XXX_Marshal(b []byte, deterministic bool) ([]byte, error) {
+	return xxx_messageInfo_ConnectRequest.Marshal(b, m, deterministic)
+}
+func (m *ConnectRequest) XXX_Merge(src proto.Message) {
+	xxx_messageInfo_ConnectRequest.Merge(m, src)
+}
+func (m *ConnectRequest) XXX_Size() int {
+	return xxx_messageInfo_ConnectRequest.Size(m)
+}
+func (m *ConnectRequest) XXX_DiscardUnknown() {
+	xxx_messageInfo_ConnectRequest.DiscardUnknown(m)
+}
+
+var xxx_messageInfo_ConnectRequest proto.InternalMessageInfo
+
+func (m *ConnectRequest) GetNodes() []*Node {
+	if m != nil {
+		return m.Nodes
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+type ConnectResponse struct {
+	XXX_NoUnkeyedLiteral struct{} `json:"-"`
+	XXX_unrecognized     []byte   `json:"-"`
+	XXX_sizecache        int32    `json:"-"`
+}
+
+func (m *ConnectResponse) Reset()         { *m = ConnectResponse{} }
+func (m *ConnectResponse) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
+func (*ConnectResponse) ProtoMessage()    {}
+func (*ConnectResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{2}
+}
+
+func (m *ConnectResponse) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
+	return xxx_messageInfo_ConnectResponse.Unmarshal(m, b)
+}
+func (m *ConnectResponse) XXX_Marshal(b []byte, deterministic bool) ([]byte, error) {
+	return xxx_messageInfo_ConnectResponse.Marshal(b, m, deterministic)
+}
+func (m *ConnectResponse) XXX_Merge(src proto.Message) {
+	xxx_messageInfo_ConnectResponse.Merge(m, src)
+}
+func (m *ConnectResponse) XXX_Size() int {
+	return xxx_messageInfo_ConnectResponse.Size(m)
+}
+func (m *ConnectResponse) XXX_DiscardUnknown() {
+	xxx_messageInfo_ConnectResponse.DiscardUnknown(m)
+}
+
+var xxx_messageInfo_ConnectResponse proto.InternalMessageInfo
+
 // PeerRequest requests list of peers
 type NodesRequest struct {
 	// node topology depth
@@ -108,7 +178,7 @@ func (m *NodesRequest) Reset()         { *m = NodesRequest{} }
 func (m *NodesRequest) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
 func (*NodesRequest) ProtoMessage()    {}
 func (*NodesRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{1}
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{3}
 }
 
 func (m *NodesRequest) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
@@ -149,7 +219,7 @@ func (m *NodesResponse) Reset()         { *m = NodesResponse{} }
 func (m *NodesResponse) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
 func (*NodesResponse) ProtoMessage()    {}
 func (*NodesResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{2}
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{4}
 }
 
 func (m *NodesResponse) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
@@ -189,7 +259,7 @@ func (m *GraphRequest) Reset()         { *m = GraphRequest{} }
 func (m *GraphRequest) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
 func (*GraphRequest) ProtoMessage()    {}
 func (*GraphRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{3}
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{5}
 }
 
 func (m *GraphRequest) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
@@ -228,7 +298,7 @@ func (m *GraphResponse) Reset()         { *m = GraphResponse{} }
 func (m *GraphResponse) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
 func (*GraphResponse) ProtoMessage()    {}
 func (*GraphResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{4}
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{6}
 }
 
 func (m *GraphResponse) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
@@ -268,7 +338,7 @@ func (m *RoutesRequest) Reset()         { *m = RoutesRequest{} }
 func (m *RoutesRequest) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
 func (*RoutesRequest) ProtoMessage()    {}
 func (*RoutesRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{5}
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{7}
 }
 
 func (m *RoutesRequest) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
@@ -307,7 +377,7 @@ func (m *RoutesResponse) Reset()         { *m = RoutesResponse{} }
 func (m *RoutesResponse) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
 func (*RoutesResponse) ProtoMessage()    {}
 func (*RoutesResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{6}
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{8}
 }
 
 func (m *RoutesResponse) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
@@ -345,7 +415,7 @@ func (m *ServicesRequest) Reset()         { *m = ServicesRequest{} }
 func (m *ServicesRequest) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
 func (*ServicesRequest) ProtoMessage()    {}
 func (*ServicesRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{7}
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{9}
 }
 
 func (m *ServicesRequest) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
@@ -377,7 +447,7 @@ func (m *ServicesResponse) Reset()         { *m = ServicesResponse{} }
 func (m *ServicesResponse) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
 func (*ServicesResponse) ProtoMessage()    {}
 func (*ServicesResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{8}
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{10}
 }
 
 func (m *ServicesResponse) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
@@ -410,17 +480,21 @@ type Node struct {
 	// node id
 	Id string `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=id,proto3" json:"id,omitempty"`
 	// node address
-	Address              string   `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=address,proto3" json:"address,omitempty"`
-	XXX_NoUnkeyedLiteral struct{} `json:"-"`
-	XXX_unrecognized     []byte   `json:"-"`
-	XXX_sizecache        int32    `json:"-"`
+	Address string `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=address,proto3" json:"address,omitempty"`
+	// the network
+	Network string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=network,proto3" json:"network,omitempty"`
+	// associated metadata
+	Metadata             map[string]string `protobuf:"bytes,4,rep,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty" protobuf_key:"bytes,1,opt,name=key,proto3" protobuf_val:"bytes,2,opt,name=value,proto3"`
+	XXX_NoUnkeyedLiteral struct{}          `json:"-"`
+	XXX_unrecognized     []byte            `json:"-"`
+	XXX_sizecache        int32             `json:"-"`
 }
 
 func (m *Node) Reset()         { *m = Node{} }
 func (m *Node) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
 func (*Node) ProtoMessage()    {}
 func (*Node) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{9}
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{11}
 }
 
 func (m *Node) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
@@ -455,6 +529,20 @@ func (m *Node) GetAddress() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
+func (m *Node) GetNetwork() string {
+	if m != nil {
+		return m.Network
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (m *Node) GetMetadata() map[string]string {
+	if m != nil {
+		return m.Metadata
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // Connect is sent when the node connects to the network
 type Connect struct {
 	// network mode
@@ -468,7 +556,7 @@ func (m *Connect) Reset()         { *m = Connect{} }
 func (m *Connect) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
 func (*Connect) ProtoMessage()    {}
 func (*Connect) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{10}
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{12}
 }
 
 func (m *Connect) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
@@ -509,7 +597,7 @@ func (m *Close) Reset()         { *m = Close{} }
 func (m *Close) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
 func (*Close) ProtoMessage()    {}
 func (*Close) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{11}
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{13}
 }
 
 func (m *Close) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
@@ -552,7 +640,7 @@ func (m *Peer) Reset()         { *m = Peer{} }
 func (m *Peer) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
 func (*Peer) ProtoMessage()    {}
 func (*Peer) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{12}
+	return fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730, []int{14}
 }
 
 func (m *Peer) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
@@ -589,6 +677,8 @@ func (m *Peer) GetPeers() []*Peer {
 
 func init() {
 	proto.RegisterType((*Query)(nil), "go.micro.network.Query")
+	proto.RegisterType((*ConnectRequest)(nil), "go.micro.network.ConnectRequest")
+	proto.RegisterType((*ConnectResponse)(nil), "go.micro.network.ConnectResponse")
 	proto.RegisterType((*NodesRequest)(nil), "go.micro.network.NodesRequest")
 	proto.RegisterType((*NodesResponse)(nil), "go.micro.network.NodesResponse")
 	proto.RegisterType((*GraphRequest)(nil), "go.micro.network.GraphRequest")
@@ -598,6 +688,7 @@ func init() {
 	proto.RegisterType((*ServicesRequest)(nil), "go.micro.network.ServicesRequest")
 	proto.RegisterType((*ServicesResponse)(nil), "go.micro.network.ServicesResponse")
 	proto.RegisterType((*Node)(nil), "go.micro.network.Node")
+	proto.RegisterMapType((map[string]string)(nil), "go.micro.network.Node.MetadataEntry")
 	proto.RegisterType((*Connect)(nil), "go.micro.network.Connect")
 	proto.RegisterType((*Close)(nil), "go.micro.network.Close")
 	proto.RegisterType((*Peer)(nil), "go.micro.network.Peer")
@@ -608,38 +699,43 @@ func init() {
 }
 
 var fileDescriptor_0b7953b26a7c4730 = []byte{
-	// 482 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
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-	0x00, 0x00,
+	// 573 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
+	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0x94, 0x54, 0x61, 0x6a, 0xdb, 0x4c,
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+	0x1f, 0xa1, 0x34, 0x32, 0xc4, 0x04, 0x4a, 0x43, 0x43, 0x20, 0x94, 0x42, 0x21, 0x21, 0x55, 0x2e,
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+	0x65, 0x50, 0xc8, 0x4f, 0xa1, 0x73, 0x2e, 0xd2, 0x14, 0x47, 0x2a, 0xc2, 0xfb, 0x05, 0x66, 0x8a,
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+	0x1c, 0x5e, 0x8a, 0x04, 0x23, 0x0b, 0xe2, 0xaf, 0xe0, 0xff, 0x82, 0x9f, 0xcd, 0x45, 0x9a, 0x21,
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+	0x93, 0x6a, 0x7b, 0xe5, 0x66, 0x71, 0xd7, 0xcc, 0xc2, 0xce, 0xa0, 0x35, 0x43, 0x15, 0x27, 0xb1,
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+	0xc1, 0x0a, 0x4e, 0xa0, 0xbd, 0x96, 0x62, 0x5d, 0x70, 0x6f, 0x71, 0x49, 0xef, 0xd2, 0x3f, 0xf5,
+	0x26, 0x1f, 0xe2, 0xbb, 0x05, 0xd2, 0xb3, 0x6c, 0xf0, 0xb9, 0xf6, 0xc9, 0xe1, 0xc7, 0xd0, 0x24,
+	0xaf, 0xe9, 0x3d, 0x6a, 0x1f, 0x6c, 0xdf, 0xa3, 0xf1, 0x8a, 0xc1, 0xf0, 0x21, 0x78, 0xe7, 0x77,
+	0xc2, 0x2e, 0xff, 0x9f, 0x49, 0x3f, 0xa1, 0xae, 0xad, 0xf0, 0x12, 0x8e, 0x76, 0xf0, 0x1c, 0x51,
+	0xea, 0x81, 0xba, 0x15, 0xee, 0xb2, 0xa0, 0xa3, 0xdf, 0x2e, 0x34, 0x2f, 0x69, 0xb0, 0x57, 0x4f,
+	0x9d, 0xf5, 0x36, 0x59, 0xeb, 0x07, 0x1a, 0xbc, 0xaf, 0x40, 0xd0, 0x09, 0xee, 0xb0, 0xef, 0xe0,
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+	0x58, 0x09, 0x78, 0xed, 0xdc, 0x82, 0xde, 0x76, 0x40, 0x21, 0x77, 0x0d, 0xad, 0xfc, 0x1c, 0x58,
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+	0x06, 0x00, 0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x79, 0x8a, 0x5f, 0xf0, 0x24, 0x06, 0x00, 0x00,
 }
 
 // Reference imports to suppress errors if they are not otherwise used.
@@ -654,6 +750,8 @@ const _ = grpc.SupportPackageIsVersion4
 //
 // For semantics around ctx use and closing/ending streaming RPCs, please refer to https://godoc.org/google.golang.org/grpc#ClientConn.NewStream.
 type NetworkClient interface {
+	// Connect to the network
+	Connect(ctx context.Context, in *ConnectRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*ConnectResponse, error)
 	// Returns the entire network graph
 	Graph(ctx context.Context, in *GraphRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*GraphResponse, error)
 	// Returns a list of known nodes in the network
@@ -672,6 +770,15 @@ func NewNetworkClient(cc *grpc.ClientConn) NetworkClient {
 	return &networkClient{cc}
 }
 
+func (c *networkClient) Connect(ctx context.Context, in *ConnectRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*ConnectResponse, error) {
+	out := new(ConnectResponse)
+	err := c.cc.Invoke(ctx, "/go.micro.network.Network/Connect", in, out, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
 func (c *networkClient) Graph(ctx context.Context, in *GraphRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*GraphResponse, error) {
 	out := new(GraphResponse)
 	err := c.cc.Invoke(ctx, "/go.micro.network.Network/Graph", in, out, opts...)
@@ -710,6 +817,8 @@ func (c *networkClient) Services(ctx context.Context, in *ServicesRequest, opts
 
 // NetworkServer is the server API for Network service.
 type NetworkServer interface {
+	// Connect to the network
+	Connect(context.Context, *ConnectRequest) (*ConnectResponse, error)
 	// Returns the entire network graph
 	Graph(context.Context, *GraphRequest) (*GraphResponse, error)
 	// Returns a list of known nodes in the network
@@ -724,6 +833,24 @@ func RegisterNetworkServer(s *grpc.Server, srv NetworkServer) {
 	s.RegisterService(&_Network_serviceDesc, srv)
 }
 
+func _Network_Connect_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.Context, dec func(interface{}) error, interceptor grpc.UnaryServerInterceptor) (interface{}, error) {
+	in := new(ConnectRequest)
+	if err := dec(in); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if interceptor == nil {
+		return srv.(NetworkServer).Connect(ctx, in)
+	}
+	info := &grpc.UnaryServerInfo{
+		Server:     srv,
+		FullMethod: "/go.micro.network.Network/Connect",
+	}
+	handler := func(ctx context.Context, req interface{}) (interface{}, error) {
+		return srv.(NetworkServer).Connect(ctx, req.(*ConnectRequest))
+	}
+	return interceptor(ctx, in, info, handler)
+}
+
 func _Network_Graph_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.Context, dec func(interface{}) error, interceptor grpc.UnaryServerInterceptor) (interface{}, error) {
 	in := new(GraphRequest)
 	if err := dec(in); err != nil {
@@ -800,6 +927,10 @@ var _Network_serviceDesc = grpc.ServiceDesc{
 	ServiceName: "go.micro.network.Network",
 	HandlerType: (*NetworkServer)(nil),
 	Methods: []grpc.MethodDesc{
+		{
+			MethodName: "Connect",
+			Handler:    _Network_Connect_Handler,
+		},
 		{
 			MethodName: "Graph",
 			Handler:    _Network_Graph_Handler,
diff --git a/network/proto/network.proto b/network/proto/network.proto
index 8097f8c0..d58ed5b8 100644
--- a/network/proto/network.proto
+++ b/network/proto/network.proto
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import "github.com/micro/go-micro/router/proto/router.proto";
 
 // Network service is usesd to gain visibility into networks
 service Network {
+	// Connect to the network
+	rpc Connect(ConnectRequest) returns (ConnectResponse) {};
 	// Returns the entire network graph
 	rpc Graph(GraphRequest) returns (GraphResponse) {};
 	// Returns a list of known nodes in the network
@@ -25,6 +27,12 @@ message Query {
 	string network = 5;
 }
 
+message ConnectRequest {
+	repeated Node nodes = 1;
+}
+
+message ConnectResponse {}
+
 // PeerRequest requests list of peers
 message NodesRequest {
         // node topology depth
@@ -67,6 +75,10 @@ message Node {
         string id = 1;
         // node address
         string address = 2;
+        // the network
+        string network = 3;
+        // associated metadata
+        map<string,string> metadata = 4;
 }
 
 // Connect is sent when the node connects to the network
diff --git a/network/resolver/dns/dns.go b/network/resolver/dns/dns.go
index fe022d93..4cd99bf8 100644
--- a/network/resolver/dns/dns.go
+++ b/network/resolver/dns/dns.go
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ func (r *Resolver) Resolve(name string) ([]*resolver.Record, error) {
 		port = "8085"
 	}
 
+	if len(host) == 0 {
+		host = "localhost"
+	}
+
 	addrs, err := net.LookupHost(host)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/network/handler/handler.go b/network/service/handler/handler.go
similarity index 81%
rename from network/handler/handler.go
rename to network/service/handler/handler.go
index 62162e64..54f449f9 100644
--- a/network/handler/handler.go
+++ b/network/service/handler/handler.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	pbNet "github.com/micro/go-micro/network/proto"
 	"github.com/micro/go-micro/router"
 	pbRtr "github.com/micro/go-micro/router/proto"
+	"github.com/micro/go-micro/util/log"
 )
 
 // Network implements network handler
@@ -47,6 +48,50 @@ func flatten(n network.Node, visited map[string]bool) []network.Node {
 	return nodes
 }
 
+func (n *Network) Connect(ctx context.Context, req *pbNet.ConnectRequest, resp *pbNet.ConnectResponse) error {
+	if len(req.Nodes) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// get list of existing nodes
+	nodes := n.Network.Options().Peers
+
+	// generate a node map
+	nodeMap := make(map[string]bool)
+
+	for _, node := range nodes {
+		nodeMap[node] = true
+	}
+
+	for _, node := range req.Nodes {
+		// TODO: we may have been provided a network only
+		// so process anad resolve node.Network
+		if len(node.Address) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// already exists
+		if _, ok := nodeMap[node.Address]; ok {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		nodeMap[node.Address] = true
+		nodes = append(nodes, node.Address)
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("Network.Connect setting peers: %v", nodes)
+
+	// reinitialise the peers
+	n.Network.Init(
+		network.Peers(nodes...),
+	)
+
+	// call the connect method
+	n.Network.Connect()
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // Nodes returns the list of nodes
 func (n *Network) Nodes(ctx context.Context, req *pbNet.NodesRequest, resp *pbNet.NodesResponse) error {
 	depth := uint(req.Depth)
diff --git a/tunnel/default.go b/tunnel/default.go
index c65829b1..16ca339e 100644
--- a/tunnel/default.go
+++ b/tunnel/default.go
@@ -777,6 +777,30 @@ func (t *tun) setupLink(node string) (*link, error) {
 	return link, nil
 }
 
+func (t *tun) setupLinks() {
+	for _, node := range t.options.Nodes {
+		// skip zero length nodes
+		if len(node) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// link already exists
+		if _, ok := t.links[node]; ok {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// connect to node and return link
+		link, err := t.setupLink(node)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("Tunnel failed to establish node link to %s: %v", node, err)
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// save the link
+		t.links[node] = link
+	}
+}
+
 // connect the tunnel to all the nodes and listen for incoming tunnel connections
 func (t *tun) connect() error {
 	l, err := t.options.Transport.Listen(t.options.Address)
@@ -816,22 +840,8 @@ func (t *tun) connect() error {
 		}
 	}()
 
-	for _, node := range t.options.Nodes {
-		// skip zero length nodes
-		if len(node) == 0 {
-			continue
-		}
-
-		// connect to node and return link
-		link, err := t.setupLink(node)
-		if err != nil {
-			log.Debugf("Tunnel failed to establish node link to %s: %v", node, err)
-			continue
-		}
-
-		// save the link
-		t.links[node] = link
-	}
+	// setup links
+	t.setupLinks()
 
 	// process outbound messages to be sent
 	// process sends to all links
@@ -850,6 +860,8 @@ func (t *tun) Connect() error {
 
 	// already connected
 	if t.connected {
+		// setup links
+		t.setupLinks()
 		return nil
 	}