diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 4c43aa2..e57b7ed 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -262,6 +262,20 @@ dependencies = [
  "pin-project-lite",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "async-compression"
+version = "0.4.17"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "0cb8f1d480b0ea3783ab015936d2a55c87e219676f0c0b7dec61494043f21857"
+dependencies = [
+ "futures-core",
+ "memchr",
+ "pin-project-lite",
+ "tokio",
+ "zstd 0.13.2",
+ "zstd-safe 7.2.1",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "async-event"
 version = "0.2.1"
@@ -1809,6 +1823,7 @@ version = "2.0.3"
 dependencies = [
  "aes-gcm",
  "anyhow",
+ "async-compression",
  "async-recursion",
  "async-ringbuf",
  "async-stream",
@@ -9474,7 +9489,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "pbkdf2",
  "sha1",
  "time",
- "zstd",
+ "zstd 0.11.2+zstd.1.5.2",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -9483,7 +9498,16 @@ version = "0.11.2+zstd.1.5.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "20cc960326ece64f010d2d2107537f26dc589a6573a316bd5b1dba685fa5fde4"
 dependencies = [
- "zstd-safe",
+ "zstd-safe 5.0.2+zstd.1.5.2",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "zstd"
+version = "0.13.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "fcf2b778a664581e31e389454a7072dab1647606d44f7feea22cd5abb9c9f3f9"
+dependencies = [
+ "zstd-safe 7.2.1",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -9496,6 +9520,15 @@ dependencies = [
  "zstd-sys",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "zstd-safe"
+version = "7.2.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "54a3ab4db68cea366acc5c897c7b4d4d1b8994a9cd6e6f841f8964566a419059"
+dependencies = [
+ "zstd-sys",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "zstd-sys"
 version = "2.0.13+zstd.1.5.6"
diff --git a/easytier-gui/src/composables/mobile_vpn.ts b/easytier-gui/src/composables/mobile_vpn.ts
index 70a09a5..72a7478 100644
--- a/easytier-gui/src/composables/mobile_vpn.ts
+++ b/easytier-gui/src/composables/mobile_vpn.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
+import type { NetworkTypes } from 'easytier-frontend-lib'
 import { addPluginListener } from '@tauri-apps/api/core'
+import { Utils } from 'easytier-frontend-lib'
 import { prepare_vpn, start_vpn, stop_vpn } from 'tauri-plugin-vpnservice-api'
-import { NetworkTypes, Utils } from 'easytier-frontend-lib'
 
 type Route = NetworkTypes.Route
 
diff --git a/easytier-gui/src/composables/network.ts b/easytier-gui/src/composables/network.ts
index ade1b1a..d603695 100644
--- a/easytier-gui/src/composables/network.ts
+++ b/easytier-gui/src/composables/network.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
+import type { NetworkTypes } from 'easytier-frontend-lib'
 import { invoke } from '@tauri-apps/api/core'
-import { NetworkTypes } from 'easytier-frontend-lib'
 
 type NetworkConfig = NetworkTypes.NetworkConfig
 type NetworkInstanceRunningInfo = NetworkTypes.NetworkInstanceRunningInfo
diff --git a/easytier/Cargo.toml b/easytier/Cargo.toml
index 57e6146..26b682d 100644
--- a/easytier/Cargo.toml
+++ b/easytier/Cargo.toml
@@ -181,6 +181,8 @@ sys-locale = "0.3"
 ringbuf = "0.4.5"
 async-ringbuf = "0.3.1"
 
+async-compression = { version = "0.4.17", default-features = false, features = ["zstd", "tokio"] }
+
 [target.'cfg(any(target_os = "linux", target_os = "macos", target_os = "windows", target_os = "freebsd"))'.dependencies]
 machine-uid = "0.5.3"
 
diff --git a/easytier/locales/app.yml b/easytier/locales/app.yml
index 7519036..60bd617 100644
--- a/easytier/locales/app.yml
+++ b/easytier/locales/app.yml
@@ -120,6 +120,9 @@ core_clap:
   ipv6_listener:
     en: "the url of the ipv6 listener, e.g.: tcp://[::]:11010, if not set, will listen on random udp port"
     zh-CN: "IPv6 监听器的URL，例如：tcp://[::]:11010，如果未设置，将在随机UDP端口上监听"
+  compression:
+    en: "compression algorithm to use, support none, zstd. default is none"
+    zh-CN: "要使用的压缩算法，支持 none、zstd。默认为 none"
 
 core_app:
   panic_backtrace_save:
diff --git a/easytier/src/common/compressor.rs b/easytier/src/common/compressor.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f61662c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/easytier/src/common/compressor.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+use async_compression::tokio::write::{ZstdDecoder, ZstdEncoder};
+use tokio::io::AsyncWriteExt;
+
+use zerocopy::{AsBytes as _, FromBytes as _};
+
+use crate::tunnel::packet_def::{CompressorAlgo, CompressorTail, ZCPacket, COMPRESSOR_TAIL_SIZE};
+
+type Error = anyhow::Error;
+
+#[async_trait::async_trait]
+pub trait Compressor {
+    async fn compress(
+        &self,
+        packet: &mut ZCPacket,
+        compress_algo: CompressorAlgo,
+    ) -> Result<(), Error>;
+    async fn decompress(&self, packet: &mut ZCPacket) -> Result<(), Error>;
+}
+
+pub struct DefaultCompressor {}
+
+impl DefaultCompressor {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        DefaultCompressor {}
+    }
+
+    pub async fn compress_raw(
+        &self,
+        data: &[u8],
+        compress_algo: CompressorAlgo,
+    ) -> Result<Vec<u8>, Error> {
+        let buf = match compress_algo {
+            CompressorAlgo::ZstdDefault => {
+                let mut o = ZstdEncoder::new(Vec::new());
+                o.write_all(data).await?;
+                o.shutdown().await?;
+                o.into_inner()
+            }
+            CompressorAlgo::None => data.to_vec(),
+        };
+
+        Ok(buf)
+    }
+
+    pub async fn decompress_raw(
+        &self,
+        data: &[u8],
+        compress_algo: CompressorAlgo,
+    ) -> Result<Vec<u8>, Error> {
+        let buf = match compress_algo {
+            CompressorAlgo::ZstdDefault => {
+                let mut o = ZstdDecoder::new(Vec::new());
+                o.write_all(data).await?;
+                o.shutdown().await?;
+                o.into_inner()
+            }
+            CompressorAlgo::None => data.to_vec(),
+        };
+
+        Ok(buf)
+    }
+}
+
+#[async_trait::async_trait]
+impl Compressor for DefaultCompressor {
+    async fn compress(
+        &self,
+        zc_packet: &mut ZCPacket,
+        compress_algo: CompressorAlgo,
+    ) -> Result<(), Error> {
+        if matches!(compress_algo, CompressorAlgo::None) {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+
+        let pm_header = zc_packet.peer_manager_header().unwrap();
+        if pm_header.is_compressed() {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+
+        let tail = CompressorTail::new(compress_algo);
+        let buf = self
+            .compress_raw(zc_packet.payload(), compress_algo)
+            .await?;
+
+        if buf.len() + COMPRESSOR_TAIL_SIZE > pm_header.len.get() as usize {
+            // Compressed data is larger than original data, don't compress
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+
+        zc_packet
+            .mut_peer_manager_header()
+            .unwrap()
+            .set_compressed(true);
+
+        let payload_offset = zc_packet.payload_offset();
+        zc_packet.mut_inner().truncate(payload_offset);
+        zc_packet.mut_inner().extend_from_slice(&buf);
+        zc_packet.mut_inner().extend_from_slice(tail.as_bytes());
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    async fn decompress(&self, zc_packet: &mut ZCPacket) -> Result<(), Error> {
+        let pm_header = zc_packet.peer_manager_header().unwrap();
+        if !pm_header.is_compressed() {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+
+        let payload_len = zc_packet.payload().len();
+        if payload_len < COMPRESSOR_TAIL_SIZE {
+            return Err(anyhow::anyhow!("Packet too short: {}", payload_len));
+        }
+
+        let text_len = payload_len - COMPRESSOR_TAIL_SIZE;
+
+        let tail = CompressorTail::ref_from_suffix(zc_packet.payload())
+            .unwrap()
+            .clone();
+
+        let algo = tail
+            .get_algo()
+            .ok_or(anyhow::anyhow!("Unknown algo: {:?}", tail))?;
+
+        let buf = self
+            .decompress_raw(&zc_packet.payload()[..text_len], algo)
+            .await?;
+
+        if buf.len() != pm_header.len.get() as usize {
+            anyhow::bail!(
+                "Decompressed length mismatch: decompressed len {} != pm header len {}",
+                buf.len(),
+                pm_header.len.get()
+            );
+        }
+
+        zc_packet
+            .mut_peer_manager_header()
+            .unwrap()
+            .set_compressed(false);
+
+        let payload_offset = zc_packet.payload_offset();
+        zc_packet.mut_inner().truncate(payload_offset);
+        zc_packet.mut_inner().extend_from_slice(&buf);
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+pub mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn test_compress() {
+        let text = b"12345670000000000000000000";
+        let mut packet = ZCPacket::new_with_payload(text);
+        packet.fill_peer_manager_hdr(0, 0, 0);
+
+        let compressor = DefaultCompressor {};
+
+        compressor
+            .compress(&mut packet, CompressorAlgo::ZstdDefault)
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(packet.peer_manager_header().unwrap().is_compressed(), true);
+
+        compressor.decompress(&mut packet).await.unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(packet.payload(), text);
+        assert_eq!(packet.peer_manager_header().unwrap().is_compressed(), false);
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn test_short_text_compress() {
+        let text = b"1234";
+        let mut packet = ZCPacket::new_with_payload(text);
+        packet.fill_peer_manager_hdr(0, 0, 0);
+
+        let compressor = DefaultCompressor {};
+
+        // short text can't be compressed
+        compressor
+            .compress(&mut packet, CompressorAlgo::ZstdDefault)
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(packet.peer_manager_header().unwrap().is_compressed(), false);
+
+        compressor.decompress(&mut packet).await.unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(packet.payload(), text);
+        assert_eq!(packet.peer_manager_header().unwrap().is_compressed(), false);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/easytier/src/common/config.rs b/easytier/src/common/config.rs
index f14515d..f6f08d1 100644
--- a/easytier/src/common/config.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/common/config.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use std::{
 use anyhow::Context;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-use crate::tunnel::generate_digest_from_str;
+use crate::{proto::common::CompressionAlgoPb, tunnel::generate_digest_from_str};
 
 pub type Flags = crate::proto::common::FlagsInConfig;
 
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ pub fn gen_default_flags() -> Flags {
         disable_udp_hole_punching: false,
         ipv6_listener: "udp://[::]:0".to_string(),
         multi_thread: false,
+        data_compress_algo: CompressionAlgoPb::None.into(),
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/easytier/src/common/mod.rs b/easytier/src/common/mod.rs
index dd9a72e..7c09493 100644
--- a/easytier/src/common/mod.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/common/mod.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use std::{
 use tokio::task::JoinSet;
 use tracing::Instrument;
 
+pub mod compressor;
 pub mod config;
 pub mod constants;
 pub mod defer;
diff --git a/easytier/src/easytier-core.rs b/easytier/src/easytier-core.rs
index 5258d19..2007231 100644
--- a/easytier/src/easytier-core.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/easytier-core.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ use easytier::{
         global_ctx::{EventBusSubscriber, GlobalCtxEvent},
         scoped_task::ScopedTask,
     },
-    launcher, proto,
+    launcher,
+    proto::{self, common::CompressionAlgoPb},
     tunnel::udp::UdpTunnelConnector,
     utils::{init_logger, setup_panic_handler},
     web_client,
@@ -289,6 +290,13 @@ struct Cli {
         help = t!("core_clap.ipv6_listener").to_string()
     )]
     ipv6_listener: Option<String>,
+
+    #[arg(
+        long,
+        help = t!("core_clap.compression").to_string(),
+        default_value = "none",
+    )]
+    compression: String,
 }
 
 rust_i18n::i18n!("locales", fallback = "en");
@@ -522,6 +530,15 @@ impl From<Cli> for TomlConfigLoader {
                 .unwrap();
         }
         f.multi_thread = cli.multi_thread;
+        f.data_compress_algo = match cli.compression.as_str() {
+            "none" => CompressionAlgoPb::None,
+            "zstd" => CompressionAlgoPb::Zstd,
+            _ => panic!(
+                "unknown compression algorithm: {}, supported: none, zstd",
+                cli.compression
+            ),
+        }
+        .into();
         cfg.set_flags(f);
 
         cfg.set_exit_nodes(cli.exit_nodes.clone());
diff --git a/easytier/src/peers/peer_manager.rs b/easytier/src/peers/peer_manager.rs
index 7472e04..9b1f484 100644
--- a/easytier/src/peers/peer_manager.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/peers/peer_manager.rs
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ use tokio::{
 
 use crate::{
     common::{
+        compressor::{Compressor as _, DefaultCompressor},
         constants::EASYTIER_VERSION,
         error::Error,
         global_ctx::{ArcGlobalCtx, NetworkIdentity},
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ use crate::{
     },
     tunnel::{
         self,
-        packet_def::{PacketType, ZCPacket},
+        packet_def::{CompressorAlgo, PacketType, ZCPacket},
         SinkItem, Tunnel, TunnelConnector,
     },
 };
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ use super::{
 struct RpcTransport {
     my_peer_id: PeerId,
     peers: Weak<PeerMap>,
+    // TODO: this seems can be removed
     foreign_peers: Mutex<Option<Weak<ForeignNetworkClient>>>,
 
     packet_recv: Mutex<UnboundedReceiver<ZCPacket>>,
@@ -76,48 +78,14 @@ impl PeerRpcManagerTransport for RpcTransport {
     }
 
     async fn send(&self, mut msg: ZCPacket, dst_peer_id: PeerId) -> Result<(), Error> {
-        let foreign_peers = self
-            .foreign_peers
-            .lock()
-            .await
-            .as_ref()
-            .ok_or(Error::Unknown)?
-            .upgrade()
-            .ok_or(Error::Unknown)?;
         let peers = self.peers.upgrade().ok_or(Error::Unknown)?;
-
-        if foreign_peers.has_next_hop(dst_peer_id) {
-            // do not encrypt for data sending to public server
-            tracing::debug!(
-                ?dst_peer_id,
-                ?self.my_peer_id,
-                "failed to send msg to peer, try foreign network",
-            );
-            foreign_peers.send_msg(msg, dst_peer_id).await
-        } else if let Some(gateway_id) = peers
-            .get_gateway_peer_id(dst_peer_id, NextHopPolicy::LeastHop)
-            .await
-        {
-            tracing::trace!(
-                ?dst_peer_id,
-                ?gateway_id,
-                ?self.my_peer_id,
-                "send msg to peer via gateway",
-            );
+        if !peers.need_relay_by_foreign_network(dst_peer_id).await? {
             self.encryptor
                 .encrypt(&mut msg)
                 .with_context(|| "encrypt failed")?;
-            if peers.has_peer(gateway_id) {
-                peers.send_msg_directly(msg, gateway_id).await
-            } else {
-                foreign_peers.send_msg(msg, gateway_id).await
-            }
-        } else {
-            Err(Error::RouteError(Some(format!(
-                "peermgr RpcTransport no route for dst_peer_id: {}",
-                dst_peer_id
-            ))))
         }
+        // send to self and this packet will be forwarded in peer_recv loop
+        peers.send_msg_directly(msg, self.my_peer_id).await
     }
 
     async fn recv(&self) -> Result<ZCPacket, Error> {
@@ -163,6 +131,7 @@ pub struct PeerManager {
     foreign_network_client: Arc<ForeignNetworkClient>,
 
     encryptor: Arc<Box<dyn Encryptor>>,
+    data_compress_algo: CompressorAlgo,
 
     exit_nodes: Vec<Ipv4Addr>,
 }
@@ -246,6 +215,12 @@ impl PeerManager {
             my_peer_id,
         ));
 
+        let data_compress_algo = global_ctx
+            .get_flags()
+            .data_compress_algo()
+            .try_into()
+            .expect("invalid data compress algo, maybe some features not enabled");
+
         let exit_nodes = global_ctx.config.get_exit_nodes();
 
         PeerManager {
@@ -272,6 +247,8 @@ impl PeerManager {
             foreign_network_client,
 
             encryptor,
+            data_compress_algo,
+
             exit_nodes,
         }
     }
@@ -465,6 +442,12 @@ impl PeerManager {
                         continue;
                     }
 
+                    let compressor = DefaultCompressor {};
+                    if let Err(e) = compressor.decompress(&mut ret).await {
+                        tracing::error!(?e, "decompress failed");
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
                     let mut processed = false;
                     let mut zc_packet = Some(ret);
                     let mut idx = 0;
@@ -768,6 +751,11 @@ impl PeerManager {
             tunnel::packet_def::PacketType::Data as u8,
         );
         self.run_nic_packet_process_pipeline(&mut msg).await;
+        let compressor = DefaultCompressor {};
+        compressor
+            .compress(&mut msg, self.data_compress_algo)
+            .await
+            .with_context(|| "compress failed")?;
         self.encryptor
             .encrypt(&mut msg)
             .with_context(|| "encrypt failed")?;
@@ -933,7 +921,7 @@ mod tests {
             peer_rpc::tests::register_service,
             tests::{connect_peer_manager, wait_route_appear},
         },
-        proto::common::NatType,
+        proto::common::{CompressionAlgoPb, NatType},
         tunnel::{common::tests::wait_for_condition, TunnelConnector, TunnelListener},
     };
 
@@ -1075,6 +1063,7 @@ mod tests {
             let mock_global_ctx = get_mock_global_ctx();
             mock_global_ctx.config.set_flags(Flags {
                 enable_encryption,
+                data_compress_algo: CompressionAlgoPb::Zstd.into(),
                 ..Default::default()
             });
             let peer_mgr = Arc::new(PeerManager::new(RouteAlgoType::Ospf, mock_global_ctx, s));
diff --git a/easytier/src/peers/peer_map.rs b/easytier/src/peers/peer_map.rs
index c104931..b5ec5d4 100644
--- a/easytier/src/peers/peer_map.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/peers/peer_map.rs
@@ -250,6 +250,19 @@ impl PeerMap {
         }
         route_map
     }
+
+    pub async fn need_relay_by_foreign_network(&self, dst_peer_id: PeerId) -> Result<bool, Error> {
+        // if gateway_peer_id is not connected to me, means need relay by foreign network
+        let gateway_id = self
+            .get_gateway_peer_id(dst_peer_id, NextHopPolicy::LeastHop)
+            .await
+            .ok_or(Error::RouteError(Some(format!(
+                "peer map need_relay_by_foreign_network no gateway for dst_peer_id: {}",
+                dst_peer_id
+            ))))?;
+
+        Ok(!self.has_peer(gateway_id))
+    }
 }
 
 impl Drop for PeerMap {
diff --git a/easytier/src/proto/common.proto b/easytier/src/proto/common.proto
index 4af791a..b108535 100644
--- a/easytier/src/proto/common.proto
+++ b/easytier/src/proto/common.proto
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ message FlagsInConfig {
   bool disable_udp_hole_punching = 13;
   string ipv6_listener = 14;
   bool multi_thread = 15;
+  CompressionAlgoPb data_compress_algo = 16;
 }
 
 message RpcDescriptor {
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ message RpcDescriptor {
 }
 
 message RpcRequest {
-  RpcDescriptor descriptor = 1;
+  RpcDescriptor descriptor = 1 [ deprecated = true ];
 
   bytes request = 2;
   int32 timeout_ms = 3;
@@ -45,6 +46,21 @@ message RpcResponse {
   uint64 runtime_us = 3;
 }
 
+enum CompressionAlgoPb {
+  Invalid = 0;
+  None = 1;
+  Zstd = 2;
+}
+
+message RpcCompressionInfo {
+  // use this to compress the content
+  CompressionAlgoPb algo = 1;
+
+  // tell the peer which compression algo is used to compress the next
+  // response/request
+  CompressionAlgoPb accepted_algo = 2;
+}
+
 message RpcPacket {
   uint32 from_peer = 1;
   uint32 to_peer = 2;
@@ -58,6 +74,8 @@ message RpcPacket {
   uint32 piece_idx = 8;
 
   int32 trace_id = 9;
+
+  RpcCompressionInfo compression_info = 10;
 }
 
 message Void {}
diff --git a/easytier/src/proto/common.rs b/easytier/src/proto/common.rs
index 482a5d9..d1b9d38 100644
--- a/easytier/src/proto/common.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/proto/common.rs
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ use std::{fmt::Display, str::FromStr};
 
 use anyhow::Context;
 
+use crate::tunnel::packet_def::CompressorAlgo;
+
 include!(concat!(env!("OUT_DIR"), "/common.rs"));
 
 impl From<uuid::Uuid> for Uuid {
@@ -180,3 +182,26 @@ impl From<SocketAddr> for std::net::SocketAddr {
         }
     }
 }
+
+impl TryFrom<CompressionAlgoPb> for CompressorAlgo {
+    type Error = anyhow::Error;
+
+    fn try_from(value: CompressionAlgoPb) -> Result<Self, Self::Error> {
+        match value {
+            CompressionAlgoPb::Zstd => Ok(CompressorAlgo::ZstdDefault),
+            CompressionAlgoPb::None => Ok(CompressorAlgo::None),
+            _ => Err(anyhow::anyhow!("Invalid CompressionAlgoPb")),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl TryFrom<CompressorAlgo> for CompressionAlgoPb {
+    type Error = anyhow::Error;
+
+    fn try_from(value: CompressorAlgo) -> Result<Self, Self::Error> {
+        match value {
+            CompressorAlgo::ZstdDefault => Ok(CompressionAlgoPb::Zstd),
+            CompressorAlgo::None => Ok(CompressionAlgoPb::None),
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/easytier/src/proto/rpc_impl/client.rs b/easytier/src/proto/rpc_impl/client.rs
index e8e161c..0094d99 100644
--- a/easytier/src/proto/rpc_impl/client.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/proto/rpc_impl/client.rs
@@ -12,8 +12,10 @@ use tokio_stream::StreamExt;
 
 use crate::common::PeerId;
 use crate::defer;
-use crate::proto::common::{RpcDescriptor, RpcPacket, RpcRequest, RpcResponse};
-use crate::proto::rpc_impl::packet::build_rpc_packet;
+use crate::proto::common::{
+    CompressionAlgoPb, RpcCompressionInfo, RpcDescriptor, RpcPacket, RpcRequest, RpcResponse,
+};
+use crate::proto::rpc_impl::packet::{build_rpc_packet, compress_packet, decompress_packet};
 use crate::proto::rpc_types::controller::Controller;
 use crate::proto::rpc_types::descriptor::MethodDescriptor;
 use crate::proto::rpc_types::{
@@ -48,12 +50,21 @@ struct InflightRequest {
     start_time: std::time::Instant,
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Default)]
+pub struct PeerInfo {
+    pub peer_id: PeerId,
+    pub compression_info: RpcCompressionInfo,
+    pub last_active: Option<std::time::Instant>,
+}
+
 type InflightRequestTable = Arc<DashMap<InflightRequestKey, InflightRequest>>;
+pub type PeerInfoTable = Arc<DashMap<PeerId, PeerInfo>>;
 
 pub struct Client {
     mpsc: Mutex<MpscTunnel<Box<dyn Tunnel>>>,
     transport: Mutex<Transport>,
     inflight_requests: InflightRequestTable,
+    peer_info: PeerInfoTable,
     tasks: Arc<Mutex<JoinSet<()>>>,
 }
 
@@ -64,6 +75,7 @@ impl Client {
             mpsc: Mutex::new(MpscTunnel::new(ring_a, None)),
             transport: Mutex::new(MpscTunnel::new(ring_b, None)),
             inflight_requests: Arc::new(DashMap::new()),
+            peer_info: Arc::new(DashMap::new()),
             tasks: Arc::new(Mutex::new(JoinSet::new())),
         }
     }
@@ -79,6 +91,21 @@ impl Client {
     pub fn run(&self) {
         let mut tasks = self.tasks.lock().unwrap();
 
+        let peer_infos = self.peer_info.clone();
+        tasks.spawn(async move {
+            loop {
+                tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_secs(30)).await;
+                let now = std::time::Instant::now();
+                peer_infos.retain(|_, v| {
+                    if let Some(last_active) = v.last_active {
+                        return now.duration_since(last_active)
+                            < std::time::Duration::from_secs(120);
+                    }
+                    true
+                });
+            }
+        });
+
         let mut rx = self.mpsc.lock().unwrap().get_stream();
         let inflight_requests = self.inflight_requests.clone();
         tasks.spawn(async move {
@@ -111,6 +138,8 @@ impl Client {
                     continue;
                 };
 
+                tracing::trace!(?packet, "Received response packet");
+
                 let ret = inflight_request.merger.feed(packet);
                 match ret {
                     Ok(Some(rpc_packet)) => {
@@ -138,6 +167,7 @@ impl Client {
             to_peer_id: PeerId,
             zc_packet_sender: MpscTunnelSender,
             inflight_requests: InflightRequestTable,
+            peer_info: PeerInfoTable,
             _phan: PhantomData<F>,
         }
 
@@ -194,23 +224,53 @@ impl Client {
                 };
 
                 let rpc_req = RpcRequest {
-                    descriptor: Some(rpc_desc.clone()),
                     request: input.into(),
                     timeout_ms: ctrl.timeout_ms(),
+                    ..Default::default()
                 };
 
+                let peer_info = self
+                    .peer_info
+                    .get(&self.to_peer_id)
+                    .map(|v| v.clone())
+                    .unwrap_or_default();
+                let (buf, c_algo) = compress_packet(
+                    peer_info.compression_info.accepted_algo(),
+                    &rpc_req.encode_to_vec(),
+                )
+                .await
+                .unwrap();
+
                 let packets = build_rpc_packet(
                     self.from_peer_id,
                     self.to_peer_id,
                     rpc_desc,
                     transaction_id,
                     true,
-                    &rpc_req.encode_to_vec(),
+                    &buf,
                     ctrl.trace_id(),
+                    RpcCompressionInfo {
+                        algo: c_algo.into(),
+                        accepted_algo: CompressionAlgoPb::Zstd.into(),
+                    },
                 );
 
                 let timeout_dur = std::time::Duration::from_millis(ctrl.timeout_ms() as u64);
-                let rpc_packet = timeout(timeout_dur, self.do_rpc(packets, &mut rx)).await??;
+                let mut rpc_packet = timeout(timeout_dur, self.do_rpc(packets, &mut rx)).await??;
+
+                if let Some(compression_info) = rpc_packet.compression_info {
+                    self.peer_info.insert(
+                        self.to_peer_id,
+                        PeerInfo {
+                            peer_id: self.to_peer_id,
+                            compression_info: compression_info.clone(),
+                            last_active: Some(std::time::Instant::now()),
+                        },
+                    );
+
+                    rpc_packet.body =
+                        decompress_packet(compression_info.algo(), &rpc_packet.body).await?;
+                }
 
                 assert_eq!(rpc_packet.transaction_id, transaction_id);
 
@@ -230,6 +290,7 @@ impl Client {
             to_peer_id,
             zc_packet_sender: self.mpsc.lock().unwrap().get_sink(),
             inflight_requests: self.inflight_requests.clone(),
+            peer_info: self.peer_info.clone(),
             _phan: PhantomData,
         })
     }
@@ -237,4 +298,8 @@ impl Client {
     pub fn inflight_count(&self) -> usize {
         self.inflight_requests.len()
     }
+
+    pub fn peer_info_table(&self) -> PeerInfoTable {
+        self.peer_info.clone()
+    }
 }
diff --git a/easytier/src/proto/rpc_impl/packet.rs b/easytier/src/proto/rpc_impl/packet.rs
index 527627e..fa97535 100644
--- a/easytier/src/proto/rpc_impl/packet.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/proto/rpc_impl/packet.rs
@@ -1,18 +1,44 @@
 use prost::Message as _;
 
 use crate::{
-    common::PeerId,
+    common::{compressor::DefaultCompressor, PeerId},
     proto::{
-        common::{RpcDescriptor, RpcPacket},
+        common::{CompressionAlgoPb, RpcCompressionInfo, RpcDescriptor, RpcPacket},
         rpc_types::error::Error,
     },
-    tunnel::packet_def::{PacketType, ZCPacket},
+    tunnel::packet_def::{CompressorAlgo, PacketType, ZCPacket},
 };
 
 use super::RpcTransactId;
 
 const RPC_PACKET_CONTENT_MTU: usize = 1300;
 
+pub async fn compress_packet(
+    accepted_compression_algo: CompressionAlgoPb,
+    content: &[u8],
+) -> Result<(Vec<u8>, CompressionAlgoPb), Error> {
+    let compressor = DefaultCompressor::new();
+    let algo = accepted_compression_algo
+        .try_into()
+        .unwrap_or(CompressorAlgo::None);
+    let compressed = compressor.compress_raw(&content, algo).await?;
+    if compressed.len() >= content.len() {
+        Ok((content.to_vec(), CompressionAlgoPb::None))
+    } else {
+        Ok((compressed, algo.try_into().unwrap()))
+    }
+}
+
+pub async fn decompress_packet(
+    compression_algo: CompressionAlgoPb,
+    content: &[u8],
+) -> Result<Vec<u8>, Error> {
+    let compressor = DefaultCompressor::new();
+    let algo = compression_algo.try_into()?;
+    let decompressed = compressor.decompress_raw(&content, algo).await?;
+    Ok(decompressed)
+}
+
 pub struct PacketMerger {
     first_piece: Option<RpcPacket>,
     pieces: Vec<RpcPacket>,
@@ -46,7 +72,8 @@ impl PacketMerger {
             body.extend_from_slice(&p.body);
         }
 
-        let mut tmpl_packet = self.first_piece.as_ref().unwrap().clone();
+        // only the first packet contains the complete info
+        let mut tmpl_packet = self.pieces[0].clone();
         tmpl_packet.total_pieces = 1;
         tmpl_packet.piece_idx = 0;
         tmpl_packet.body = body;
@@ -58,17 +85,17 @@ impl PacketMerger {
         let total_pieces = rpc_packet.total_pieces;
         let piece_idx = rpc_packet.piece_idx;
 
-        if rpc_packet.descriptor.is_none() {
-            return Err(Error::MalformatRpcPacket(
-                "descriptor is missing".to_owned(),
-            ));
-        }
-
         // for compatibility with old version
         if total_pieces == 0 && piece_idx == 0 {
             return Ok(Some(rpc_packet));
         }
 
+        if rpc_packet.piece_idx == 0 && rpc_packet.descriptor.is_none() {
+            return Err(Error::MalformatRpcPacket(
+                "descriptor is missing".to_owned(),
+            ));
+        }
+
         // about 32MB max size
         if total_pieces > 32 * 1024 || total_pieces == 0 {
             return Err(Error::MalformatRpcPacket(format!(
@@ -89,6 +116,7 @@ impl PacketMerger {
         {
             self.first_piece = Some(rpc_packet.clone());
             self.pieces.clear();
+            tracing::trace!(?rpc_packet, "got first piece");
         }
 
         self.pieces
@@ -113,6 +141,7 @@ pub fn build_rpc_packet(
     is_req: bool,
     content: &Vec<u8>,
     trace_id: i32,
+    compression_info: RpcCompressionInfo,
 ) -> Vec<ZCPacket> {
     let mut ret = Vec::new();
     let content_mtu = RPC_PACKET_CONTENT_MTU;
@@ -130,13 +159,22 @@ pub fn build_rpc_packet(
         let cur_packet = RpcPacket {
             from_peer,
             to_peer,
-            descriptor: Some(rpc_desc.clone()),
+            descriptor: if cur_offset == 0 {
+                Some(rpc_desc.clone())
+            } else {
+                None
+            },
             is_request: is_req,
             total_pieces: total_pieces as u32,
             piece_idx: (cur_offset / content_mtu) as u32,
             transaction_id,
             body: cur_content,
             trace_id,
+            compression_info: if cur_offset == 0 {
+                Some(compression_info.clone())
+            } else {
+                None
+            },
         };
         cur_offset += cur_len;
 
diff --git a/easytier/src/proto/rpc_impl/server.rs b/easytier/src/proto/rpc_impl/server.rs
index bf14a7b..773e965 100644
--- a/easytier/src/proto/rpc_impl/server.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/proto/rpc_impl/server.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ use tokio_stream::StreamExt;
 use crate::{
     common::{join_joinset_background, PeerId},
     proto::{
-        common::{self, RpcDescriptor, RpcPacket, RpcRequest, RpcResponse},
+        common::{self, CompressionAlgoPb, RpcCompressionInfo, RpcPacket, RpcRequest, RpcResponse},
         rpc_types::error::Result,
     },
     tunnel::{
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ use crate::{
 };
 
 use super::{
-    packet::{build_rpc_packet, PacketMerger},
+    packet::{build_rpc_packet, compress_packet, decompress_packet, PacketMerger},
     service_registry::ServiceRegistry,
     RpcController, Transport,
 };
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ use super::{
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
 struct PacketMergerKey {
     from_peer_id: PeerId,
-    rpc_desc: RpcDescriptor,
     transaction_id: i64,
 }
 
@@ -108,10 +107,11 @@ impl Server {
 
                 let key = PacketMergerKey {
                     from_peer_id: packet.from_peer,
-                    rpc_desc: packet.descriptor.clone().unwrap_or_default(),
                     transaction_id: packet.transaction_id,
                 };
 
+                tracing::trace!(?key, ?packet, "Received request packet");
+
                 let ret = packet_merges
                     .entry(key.clone())
                     .or_insert_with(PacketMerger::new)
@@ -144,7 +144,16 @@ impl Server {
     }
 
     async fn handle_rpc_request(packet: RpcPacket, reg: Arc<ServiceRegistry>) -> Result<Bytes> {
-        let rpc_request = RpcRequest::decode(Bytes::from(packet.body))?;
+        let body = if let Some(compression_info) = packet.compression_info {
+            decompress_packet(
+                compression_info.algo.try_into().unwrap_or_default(),
+                &packet.body,
+            )
+            .await?
+        } else {
+            packet.body
+        };
+        let rpc_request = RpcRequest::decode(Bytes::from(body))?;
         let timeout_duration = std::time::Duration::from_millis(rpc_request.timeout_ms as u64);
         let ctrl = RpcController::default();
         Ok(timeout(
@@ -168,6 +177,7 @@ impl Server {
         let mut resp_msg = RpcResponse::default();
         let now = std::time::Instant::now();
 
+        let compression_info = packet.compression_info.clone();
         let resp_bytes = Self::handle_rpc_request(packet, reg).await;
 
         match &resp_bytes {
@@ -180,14 +190,25 @@ impl Server {
         };
         resp_msg.runtime_us = now.elapsed().as_micros() as u64;
 
+        let (compressed_resp, algo) = compress_packet(
+            compression_info.unwrap_or_default().accepted_algo(),
+            &resp_msg.encode_to_vec(),
+        )
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+
         let packets = build_rpc_packet(
             to_peer,
             from_peer,
             desc,
             transaction_id,
             false,
-            &resp_msg.encode_to_vec(),
+            &compressed_resp,
             trace_id,
+            RpcCompressionInfo {
+                algo: algo.into(),
+                accepted_algo: CompressionAlgoPb::Zstd.into(),
+            },
         );
 
         for packet in packets {
diff --git a/easytier/src/proto/tests.rs b/easytier/src/proto/tests.rs
index 93c872f..ae04e2b 100644
--- a/easytier/src/proto/tests.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/proto/tests.rs
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ impl Greeting for GreetingService {
     }
 }
 
+use crate::proto::common::{CompressionAlgoPb, RpcCompressionInfo};
 use crate::proto::rpc_impl::client::Client;
 use crate::proto::rpc_impl::server::Server;
 
@@ -107,6 +108,7 @@ fn random_string(len: usize) -> String {
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn rpc_basic_test() {
+    // enable_log();
     let ctx = TestContext::new();
 
     let server = GreetingServer::new(GreetingService {
@@ -119,7 +121,7 @@ async fn rpc_basic_test() {
         .client
         .scoped_client::<GreetingClientFactory<RpcController>>(1, 1, "".to_string());
 
-    // small size req and resp
+    // // small size req and resp
 
     let ctrl = RpcController::default();
     let input = SayHelloRequest {
@@ -128,6 +130,15 @@ async fn rpc_basic_test() {
     let ret = out.say_hello(ctrl, input).await;
     assert_eq!(ret.unwrap().greeting, "Hello world!");
 
+    assert_eq!(1, ctx.client.peer_info_table().len());
+    let first_peer_info = ctx.client.peer_info_table().iter().next().unwrap().clone();
+    assert_eq!(
+        first_peer_info.compression_info.accepted_algo(),
+        CompressionAlgoPb::Zstd,
+    );
+
+    println!("{:?}", ctx.client.peer_info_table());
+
     let ctrl = RpcController::default();
     let input = SayGoodbyeRequest {
         name: "world".to_string(),
@@ -144,6 +155,15 @@ async fn rpc_basic_test() {
 
     assert_eq!(0, ctx.client.inflight_count());
     assert_eq!(0, ctx.server.inflight_count());
+
+    let first_peer_info = ctx.client.peer_info_table().iter().next().unwrap().clone();
+    assert_eq!(
+        first_peer_info.compression_info,
+        RpcCompressionInfo {
+            algo: CompressionAlgoPb::Zstd.into(),
+            accepted_algo: CompressionAlgoPb::Zstd.into(),
+        }
+    );
 }
 
 #[tokio::test]
diff --git a/easytier/src/tests/three_node.rs b/easytier/src/tests/three_node.rs
index e2450fe..62bc5c8 100644
--- a/easytier/src/tests/three_node.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/tests/three_node.rs
@@ -14,8 +14,11 @@ use crate::{
         netns::{NetNS, ROOT_NETNS_NAME},
     },
     instance::instance::Instance,
-    tunnel::common::tests::wait_for_condition,
-    tunnel::{ring::RingTunnelConnector, tcp::TcpTunnelConnector, udp::UdpTunnelConnector},
+    proto::common::CompressionAlgoPb,
+    tunnel::{
+        common::tests::wait_for_condition, ring::RingTunnelConnector, tcp::TcpTunnelConnector,
+        udp::UdpTunnelConnector,
+    },
 };
 
 #[cfg(feature = "wireguard")]
@@ -400,6 +403,47 @@ pub async fn subnet_proxy_three_node_test(
     subnet_proxy_test_udp().await;
 }
 
+#[rstest::rstest]
+#[tokio::test]
+#[serial_test::serial]
+pub async fn data_compress(
+    #[values(true, false)] inst1_compress: bool,
+    #[values(true, false)] inst2_compress: bool,
+) {
+    let _insts = init_three_node_ex(
+        "udp",
+        |cfg| {
+            if cfg.get_inst_name() == "inst1" && inst1_compress {
+                let mut flags = cfg.get_flags();
+                flags.data_compress_algo = CompressionAlgoPb::Zstd.into();
+                cfg.set_flags(flags);
+            }
+
+            if cfg.get_inst_name() == "inst3" && inst2_compress {
+                let mut flags = cfg.get_flags();
+                flags.data_compress_algo = CompressionAlgoPb::Zstd.into();
+                cfg.set_flags(flags);
+            }
+
+            cfg
+        },
+        false,
+    )
+    .await;
+
+    wait_for_condition(
+        || async { ping_test("net_a", "10.144.144.3", None).await },
+        Duration::from_secs(5),
+    )
+    .await;
+
+    wait_for_condition(
+        || async { ping_test("net_a", "10.144.144.3", Some(5 * 1024)).await },
+        Duration::from_secs(5),
+    )
+    .await;
+}
+
 #[cfg(feature = "wireguard")]
 #[rstest::rstest]
 #[tokio::test]
diff --git a/easytier/src/tunnel/common.rs b/easytier/src/tunnel/common.rs
index da0bcbc..7d66b2e 100644
--- a/easytier/src/tunnel/common.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/tunnel/common.rs
@@ -603,7 +603,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
     pub fn enable_log() {
         let filter = tracing_subscriber::EnvFilter::builder()
-            .with_default_directive(tracing::level_filters::LevelFilter::DEBUG.into())
+            .with_default_directive(tracing::level_filters::LevelFilter::TRACE.into())
             .from_env()
             .unwrap()
             .add_directive("tarpc=error".parse().unwrap());
diff --git a/easytier/src/tunnel/packet_def.rs b/easytier/src/tunnel/packet_def.rs
index 7e93c03..7f6c6a9 100644
--- a/easytier/src/tunnel/packet_def.rs
+++ b/easytier/src/tunnel/packet_def.rs
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@ use zerocopy::FromZeroes;
 
 type DefaultEndian = LittleEndian;
 
+const fn max(a: usize, b: usize) -> usize {
+    [a, b][(a < b) as usize]
+}
+
 // TCP TunnelHeader
 #[repr(C, packed)]
 #[derive(AsBytes, FromBytes, FromZeroes, Clone, Debug, Default)]
@@ -49,11 +53,11 @@ pub enum PacketType {
     Invalid = 0,
     Data = 1,
     HandShake = 2,
-    RoutePacket = 3,
+    RoutePacket = 3, // deprecated
     Ping = 4,
     Pong = 5,
-    TaRpc = 6,
-    Route = 7,
+    TaRpc = 6, // deprecated
+    Route = 7, // deprecated
     RpcReq = 8,
     RpcResp = 9,
     ForeignNetworkPacket = 10,
@@ -65,6 +69,7 @@ bitflags::bitflags! {
         const LATENCY_FIRST = 0b0000_0010;
         const EXIT_NODE = 0b0000_0100;
         const NO_PROXY = 0b0000_1000;
+        const COMPRESSED = 0b0001_0000;
 
         const _ = !0;
     }
@@ -118,6 +123,12 @@ impl PeerManagerHeader {
             .contains(PeerManagerHeaderFlags::NO_PROXY)
     }
 
+    pub fn is_compressed(&self) -> bool {
+        PeerManagerHeaderFlags::from_bits(self.flags)
+            .unwrap()
+            .contains(PeerManagerHeaderFlags::COMPRESSED)
+    }
+
     pub fn set_latency_first(&mut self, latency_first: bool) -> &mut Self {
         let mut flags = PeerManagerHeaderFlags::from_bits(self.flags).unwrap();
         if latency_first {
@@ -150,6 +161,17 @@ impl PeerManagerHeader {
         self.flags = flags.bits();
         self
     }
+
+    pub fn set_compressed(&mut self, compressed: bool) -> &mut Self {
+        let mut flags = PeerManagerHeaderFlags::from_bits(self.flags).unwrap();
+        if compressed {
+            flags.insert(PeerManagerHeaderFlags::COMPRESSED);
+        } else {
+            flags.remove(PeerManagerHeaderFlags::COMPRESSED);
+        }
+        self.flags = flags.bits();
+        self
+    }
 }
 
 #[repr(C, packed)]
@@ -201,12 +223,35 @@ pub struct AesGcmTail {
 }
 pub const AES_GCM_ENCRYPTION_RESERVED: usize = std::mem::size_of::<AesGcmTail>();
 
-pub const TAIL_RESERVED_SIZE: usize = AES_GCM_ENCRYPTION_RESERVED;
-
-const fn max(a: usize, b: usize) -> usize {
-    [a, b][(a < b) as usize]
+#[derive(AsBytes, FromZeroes, Clone, Debug, Copy)]
+#[repr(u8)]
+pub enum CompressorAlgo {
+    None = 0,
+    ZstdDefault = 1,
 }
 
+#[repr(C, packed)]
+#[derive(AsBytes, FromBytes, FromZeroes, Clone, Debug, Default)]
+pub struct CompressorTail {
+    pub algo: u8,
+}
+pub const COMPRESSOR_TAIL_SIZE: usize = std::mem::size_of::<CompressorTail>();
+
+impl CompressorTail {
+    pub fn get_algo(&self) -> Option<CompressorAlgo> {
+        match self.algo {
+            1 => Some(CompressorAlgo::ZstdDefault),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn new(algo: CompressorAlgo) -> Self {
+        Self { algo: algo as u8 }
+    }
+}
+
+pub const TAIL_RESERVED_SIZE: usize = max(AES_GCM_ENCRYPTION_RESERVED, COMPRESSOR_TAIL_SIZE);
+
 #[derive(Default, Debug)]
 pub struct ZCPacketOffsets {
     pub payload_offset: usize,