diff --git a/veilid-core/src/network_manager/native/network_class_discovery.rs b/veilid-core/src/network_manager/native/network_class_discovery.rs
index c6a4ae8a..3de494e1 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/network_manager/native/network_class_discovery.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/network_manager/native/network_class_discovery.rs
@@ -148,7 +148,8 @@ impl DiscoveryContext {
                 entry.with(rti, move |_rti, e| {
                     e.node_info(routing_domain)
                         .map(|ni| {
-                            ni.has_capability(CAP_VALIDATE_DIAL_INFO) && ni.is_signal_capable()
+                            ni.has_capability(CAP_VALIDATE_DIAL_INFO)
+                                && ni.is_fully_direct_inbound()
                         })
                         .unwrap_or(false)
                 })
diff --git a/veilid-core/src/routing_table/tasks/relay_management.rs b/veilid-core/src/routing_table/tasks/relay_management.rs
index 4b0f36ce..95612f8a 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/routing_table/tasks/relay_management.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/routing_table/tasks/relay_management.rs
@@ -112,8 +112,8 @@ impl RoutingTable {
             let can_serve_as_relay = e
                 .node_info(RoutingDomain::PublicInternet)
                 .map(|n| {
-                    if !(n.has_capability(CAP_RELAY) && n.is_signal_capable()) {
-                        // Needs to be able to signal and relay
+                    if !(n.has_capability(CAP_RELAY) && n.is_fully_direct_inbound()) {
+                        // Needs to be able to accept packets to relay directly
                         return false;
                     }
 
diff --git a/veilid-core/src/routing_table/types/node_info.rs b/veilid-core/src/routing_table/types/node_info.rs
index 96c40637..4bbf31da 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/routing_table/types/node_info.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/routing_table/types/node_info.rs
@@ -211,15 +211,8 @@ impl NodeInfo {
         true
     }
 
-    /// Can this node assist with signalling? Yes but only if it doesn't require signalling, itself.
-    /// Also used to determine if nodes are capable of validation of dial info, as that operation
-    /// has the same requirements, inbound capability and a dial info that requires no assistance
-    pub fn is_signal_capable(&self) -> bool {
-        // Has capability?
-        if !self.has_capability(CAP_SIGNAL) {
-            return false;
-        }
-
+    /// Can direct connections be made
+    pub fn is_fully_direct_inbound(&self) -> bool {
         // Must be inbound capable
         if !matches!(self.network_class, NetworkClass::InboundCapable) {
             return false;
diff --git a/veilid-core/src/rpc_processor/rpc_signal.rs b/veilid-core/src/rpc_processor/rpc_signal.rs
index 4e32952a..4b325d73 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/rpc_processor/rpc_signal.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/rpc_processor/rpc_signal.rs
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ impl RPCProcessor {
         let routing_table = self.routing_table();
         {
             if let Some(opi) = routing_table.get_own_peer_info(msg.header.routing_domain()) {
-                if !opi.signed_node_info().node_info().is_signal_capable() {
+                let ni = opi.signed_node_info().node_info();
+                if !ni.has_capability(CAP_SIGNAL) {
                     return Ok(NetworkResult::service_unavailable(
                         "signal is not available",
                     ));
diff --git a/veilid-core/src/rpc_processor/rpc_validate_dial_info.rs b/veilid-core/src/rpc_processor/rpc_validate_dial_info.rs
index 16598b31..37eaef96 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/rpc_processor/rpc_validate_dial_info.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/rpc_processor/rpc_validate_dial_info.rs
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ impl RPCProcessor {
         {
             if let Some(opi) = routing_table.get_own_peer_info(detail.routing_domain) {
                 let ni = opi.signed_node_info().node_info();
-                if !ni.has_capability(CAP_VALIDATE_DIAL_INFO) || !ni.is_signal_capable() {
+                if !ni.has_capability(CAP_VALIDATE_DIAL_INFO) || !ni.is_fully_direct_inbound() {
                     return Ok(NetworkResult::service_unavailable(
                         "validate dial info is not available",
                     ));
@@ -118,7 +118,8 @@ impl RPCProcessor {
                     entry.with(rti, move |_rti, e| {
                         e.node_info(routing_domain)
                             .map(|ni| {
-                                ni.has_capability(CAP_VALIDATE_DIAL_INFO) && ni.is_signal_capable()
+                                ni.has_capability(CAP_VALIDATE_DIAL_INFO)
+                                    && ni.is_fully_direct_inbound()
                             })
                             .unwrap_or(false)
                     })