diff --git a/api/proto/message/message.pb.go b/api/proto/message/message.pb.go
index 601bce19f..8b118fbbb 100644
--- a/api/proto/message/message.pb.go
+++ b/api/proto/message/message.pb.go
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 // Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
 // versions:
 // 	protoc-gen-go v1.23.0
-// 	protoc        v3.6.1
+// 	protoc        v3.12.3
 // source: message.proto
 
 package message
diff --git a/api/service/syncing/downloader/proto/downloader.pb.go b/api/service/syncing/downloader/proto/downloader.pb.go
index 108f70e33..fb5255535 100644
--- a/api/service/syncing/downloader/proto/downloader.pb.go
+++ b/api/service/syncing/downloader/proto/downloader.pb.go
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 // Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
 // versions:
 // 	protoc-gen-go v1.23.0
-// 	protoc        v3.6.1
+// 	protoc        v3.12.3
 // source: downloader.proto
 
 package downloader
diff --git a/cmd/harmony/main.go b/cmd/harmony/main.go
index 40e3ae2dc..d489aea57 100644
--- a/cmd/harmony/main.go
+++ b/cmd/harmony/main.go
@@ -600,7 +600,7 @@ func setupConsensusAndNode(hc harmonyConfig, nodeConfig *nodeconfig.ConfigType)
 
 	// Set the consensus ID to be the current block number
 	viewID := currentNode.Blockchain().CurrentBlock().Header().ViewID().Uint64()
-	currentConsensus.SetViewID(viewID + 1)
+	currentConsensus.SetViewIDs(viewID + 1)
 	utils.Logger().Info().
 		Uint64("viewID", viewID).
 		Msg("Init Blockchain")
diff --git a/consensus/checks.go b/consensus/checks.go
index ff4ce7354..174b2aaae 100644
--- a/consensus/checks.go
+++ b/consensus/checks.go
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) senderKeySanityChecks(msg *msg_pb.Message, senderKey
 
 func (consensus *Consensus) isRightBlockNumAndViewID(recvMsg *FBFTMessage,
 ) bool {
-	if recvMsg.ViewID != consensus.viewID || recvMsg.BlockNum != consensus.blockNum {
+	if recvMsg.ViewID != consensus.GetCurViewID() || recvMsg.BlockNum != consensus.blockNum {
 		consensus.getLogger().Debug().
 			Uint64("MsgViewID", recvMsg.ViewID).
 			Uint64("MsgBlockNum", recvMsg.BlockNum).
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) onAnnounceSanityChecks(recvMsg *FBFTMessage) bool {
 					"[OnAnnounce] Already in ViewChanging mode, conflicing announce, doing noop",
 				)
 			} else {
-				consensus.startViewChange(consensus.viewID + 1)
+				consensus.startViewChange(consensus.GetCurViewID() + 1)
 			}
 		}
 		consensus.getLogger().Debug().
@@ -162,51 +162,53 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) onPreparedSanityChecks(
 	return true
 }
 
+// TODO: leo: move the sanity check to p2p message validation
 func (consensus *Consensus) onViewChangeSanityCheck(recvMsg *FBFTMessage) bool {
 	// TODO: if difference is only one, new leader can still propose the same committed block to avoid another view change
 	// TODO: new leader catchup without ignore view change message
+
+	consensus.getLogger().Info().
+		Uint64("MsgBlockNum", recvMsg.BlockNum).
+		Uint64("MyViewChangingID", consensus.GetViewChangingID()).
+		Uint64("MsgViewChangingID", recvMsg.ViewID).
+		Msg("onViewChange")
+
 	if consensus.blockNum > recvMsg.BlockNum {
 		consensus.getLogger().Debug().
-			Uint64("MsgBlockNum", recvMsg.BlockNum).
 			Msg("[onViewChange] Message BlockNum Is Low")
 		return false
 	}
 	if consensus.blockNum < recvMsg.BlockNum {
 		consensus.getLogger().Warn().
-			Uint64("MsgBlockNum", recvMsg.BlockNum).
 			Msg("[onViewChange] New Leader Has Lower Blocknum")
 		return false
 	}
 	if consensus.IsViewChangingMode() &&
-		consensus.current.ViewID() > recvMsg.ViewID {
+		consensus.GetViewChangingID() > recvMsg.ViewID {
 		consensus.getLogger().Warn().
-			Uint64("MyViewChangingID", consensus.current.ViewID()).
-			Uint64("MsgViewChangingID", recvMsg.ViewID).
 			Msg("[onViewChange] ViewChanging ID Is Low")
 		return false
 	}
-	if recvMsg.ViewID-consensus.current.ViewID() > MaxViewIDDiff {
+	if recvMsg.ViewID-consensus.GetViewChangingID() > MaxViewIDDiff {
 		consensus.getLogger().Debug().
-			Uint64("MsgViewID", recvMsg.ViewID).
-			Uint64("CurrentViewID", consensus.current.ViewID()).
 			Msg("Received viewID that is MaxViewIDDiff (100) further from the current viewID!")
 		return false
 	}
+	if len(recvMsg.SenderPubkeys) != 1 {
+		consensus.getLogger().Error().Msg("[onViewChange] multiple signers in view change message.")
+		return false
+	}
 	return true
 }
 
+// TODO: leo: move the sanity check to p2p message validation
 func (consensus *Consensus) onNewViewSanityCheck(recvMsg *FBFTMessage) bool {
-	if recvMsg.ViewID < consensus.viewID {
+	if recvMsg.ViewID < consensus.GetCurViewID() {
 		consensus.getLogger().Warn().
-			Uint64("LastSuccessfulConsensusViewID", consensus.viewID).
+			Uint64("LastSuccessfulConsensusViewID", consensus.GetCurViewID()).
 			Uint64("MsgViewChangingID", recvMsg.ViewID).
 			Msg("[onNewView] ViewID should be larger than the viewID of the last successful consensus")
 		return false
 	}
-	if !consensus.IsViewChangingMode() {
-		consensus.getLogger().Warn().
-			Msg("[onNewView] Not in ViewChanging mode, ignoring the new view message")
-		return false
-	}
 	return true
 }
diff --git a/consensus/consensus.go b/consensus/consensus.go
index 096a93ef8..84dedf84d 100644
--- a/consensus/consensus.go
+++ b/consensus/consensus.go
@@ -77,7 +77,6 @@ type Consensus struct {
 	// blockNum: the next blockNumber that FBFT is going to agree on,
 	// should be equal to the blockNumber of next block
 	blockNum uint64
-	viewID   uint64
 	// Blockhash - 32 byte
 	blockHash [32]byte
 	// Block to run consensus on
@@ -199,7 +198,7 @@ func New(
 	// viewID has to be initialized as the height of
 	// the blockchain during initialization as it was
 	// displayed on explorer as Height right now
-	consensus.viewID = 0
+	consensus.SetCurViewID(0)
 	consensus.ShardID = shard
 	consensus.syncReadyChan = make(chan struct{})
 	consensus.syncNotReadyChan = make(chan struct{})
diff --git a/consensus/consensus_service.go b/consensus/consensus_service.go
index 42d7ee700..4cabbb759 100644
--- a/consensus/consensus_service.go
+++ b/consensus/consensus_service.go
@@ -72,11 +72,6 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) signAndMarshalConsensusMessage(message *msg_pb.Messa
 	return marshaledMessage, nil
 }
 
-// GetViewID returns the consensus ID
-func (consensus *Consensus) GetViewID() uint64 {
-	return consensus.viewID
-}
-
 // UpdatePublicKeys updates the PublicKeys for
 // quorum on current subcommittee, protected by a mutex
 func (consensus *Consensus) UpdatePublicKeys(pubKeys []bls_cosi.PublicKeyWrapper) int64 {
@@ -199,12 +194,6 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) IsValidatorInCommittee(pubKey bls.SerializedPublicKe
 	return consensus.Decider.IndexOf(pubKey) != -1
 }
 
-// SetViewID set the viewID to the height of the blockchain
-func (consensus *Consensus) SetViewID(height uint64) {
-	consensus.viewID = height
-	consensus.current.viewID = height
-}
-
 // SetMode sets the mode of consensus
 func (consensus *Consensus) SetMode(m Mode) {
 	consensus.current.SetMode(m)
@@ -232,26 +221,20 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) checkViewID(msg *FBFTMessage) error {
 		//in syncing mode, node accepts incoming messages without viewID/leaderKey checking
 		//so only set mode to normal when new node enters consensus and need checking viewID
 		consensus.current.SetMode(Normal)
-		consensus.viewID = msg.ViewID
-		consensus.current.SetViewID(msg.ViewID)
+		consensus.SetViewIDs(msg.ViewID)
 		if len(msg.SenderPubkeys) != 1 {
 			return errors.New("Leader message can not have multiple sender keys")
 		}
 		consensus.LeaderPubKey = msg.SenderPubkeys[0]
 		consensus.IgnoreViewIDCheck.UnSet()
 		consensus.consensusTimeout[timeoutConsensus].Start()
-		utils.Logger().Debug().
-			Uint64("viewID", consensus.viewID).
+		consensus.getLogger().Debug().
 			Str("leaderKey", consensus.LeaderPubKey.Bytes.Hex()).
-			Msg("viewID and leaderKey override")
-		utils.Logger().Debug().
-			Uint64("viewID", consensus.viewID).
-			Uint64("block", consensus.blockNum).
 			Msg("Start consensus timer")
 		return nil
-	} else if msg.ViewID > consensus.viewID {
+	} else if msg.ViewID > consensus.GetCurViewID() {
 		return consensus_engine.ErrViewIDNotMatch
-	} else if msg.ViewID < consensus.viewID {
+	} else if msg.ViewID < consensus.GetCurViewID() {
 		return errors.New("view ID belongs to the past")
 	}
 	return nil
@@ -282,7 +265,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) ReadSignatureBitmapPayload(
 func (consensus *Consensus) getLogger() *zerolog.Logger {
 	logger := utils.Logger().With().
 		Uint64("myBlock", consensus.blockNum).
-		Uint64("myViewID", consensus.viewID).
+		Uint64("myViewID", consensus.GetCurViewID()).
 		Interface("phase", consensus.phase).
 		Str("mode", consensus.current.Mode().String()).
 		Logger()
@@ -470,12 +453,12 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) UpdateConsensusInformation() Mode {
 	if len(curHeader.ShardState()) == 0 && curHeader.Number().Uint64() != 0 {
 		leaderPubKey, err := consensus.getLeaderPubKeyFromCoinbase(curHeader)
 		if err != nil || leaderPubKey == nil {
-			consensus.getLogger().Debug().Err(err).
+			consensus.getLogger().Error().Err(err).
 				Msg("[UpdateConsensusInformation] Unable to get leaderPubKey from coinbase")
 			consensus.IgnoreViewIDCheck.Set()
 			hasError = true
 		} else {
-			consensus.getLogger().Debug().
+			consensus.getLogger().Info().
 				Str("leaderPubKey", leaderPubKey.Bytes.Hex()).
 				Msg("[UpdateConsensusInformation] Most Recent LeaderPubKey Updated Based on BlockChain")
 			consensus.LeaderPubKey = leaderPubKey
@@ -494,10 +477,8 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) UpdateConsensusInformation() Mode {
 			if (oldLeader != nil && consensus.LeaderPubKey != nil &&
 				!consensus.LeaderPubKey.Object.IsEqual(oldLeader.Object)) && consensus.IsLeader() {
 				go func() {
-					utils.Logger().Debug().
+					consensus.getLogger().Info().
 						Str("myKey", myPubKeys.SerializeToHexStr()).
-						Uint64("viewID", consensus.viewID).
-						Uint64("block", consensus.blockNum).
 						Msg("[UpdateConsensusInformation] I am the New Leader")
 					consensus.ReadySignal <- struct{}{}
 				}()
@@ -553,3 +534,20 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) addViewIDKeyIfNotExist(viewID uint64) {
 		consensus.viewIDBitmap[viewID] = viewIDBitmap
 	}
 }
+
+// SetViewIDs set both current view ID and view changing ID to the height
+// of the blockchain. It is used during client startup to recover the state
+func (consensus *Consensus) SetViewIDs(height uint64) {
+	consensus.SetCurViewID(height)
+	consensus.SetViewChangingID(height)
+}
+
+// SetCurViewID set the current view ID
+func (consensus *Consensus) SetCurViewID(viewID uint64) {
+	consensus.current.SetCurViewID(viewID)
+}
+
+// SetViewChangingID set the current view change ID
+func (consensus *Consensus) SetViewChangingID(viewID uint64) {
+	consensus.current.SetViewChangingID(viewID)
+}
diff --git a/consensus/consensus_service_test.go b/consensus/consensus_service_test.go
index d3c4aeb01..9885d9ba8 100644
--- a/consensus/consensus_service_test.go
+++ b/consensus/consensus_service_test.go
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ func TestPopulateMessageFields(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Cannot craeate consensus: %v", err)
 	}
-	consensus.viewID = 2
+	consensus.SetCurViewID(2)
 	blockHash := [32]byte{}
 	consensus.blockHash = blockHash
 
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func TestSignAndMarshalConsensusMessage(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Cannot craeate consensus: %v", err)
 	}
-	consensus.viewID = 2
+	consensus.SetCurViewID(2)
 	consensus.blockHash = [32]byte{}
 
 	msg := &msg_pb.Message{}
@@ -105,8 +105,8 @@ func TestSetViewID(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	height := uint64(1000)
-	consensus.SetViewID(height)
-	if consensus.viewID != height {
-		t.Errorf("Cannot set consensus ID. Got: %v, Expected: %v", consensus.viewID, height)
+	consensus.SetViewIDs(height)
+	if consensus.GetCurViewID() != height {
+		t.Errorf("Cannot set consensus ID. Got: %v, Expected: %v", consensus.GetCurViewID(), height)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/consensus/consensus_test.go b/consensus/consensus_test.go
index b28938e91..a9a480b9a 100644
--- a/consensus/consensus_test.go
+++ b/consensus/consensus_test.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func TestConsensusInitialization(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// State / consensus.current
 	assert.Equal(t, state.mode, consensus.current.mode)
-	assert.Equal(t, state.viewID, consensus.current.viewID)
+	assert.Equal(t, state.GetViewChangingID(), consensus.current.GetViewChangingID())
 
 	// FBFT timeout
 	assert.IsType(t, make(map[TimeoutType]*utils.Timeout), consensus.consensusTimeout)
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func TestConsensusInitialization(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, multiBLSPrivateKey.GetPublicKeys(), consensus.GetPublicKeys())
 
 	// Misc
-	assert.Equal(t, uint64(0), consensus.viewID)
+	assert.Equal(t, uint64(0), consensus.GetViewChangingID())
 	assert.Equal(t, uint32(shard.BeaconChainShardID), consensus.ShardID)
 
 	assert.IsType(t, make(chan struct{}), consensus.syncReadyChan)
diff --git a/consensus/consensus_v2.go b/consensus/consensus_v2.go
index b475c047b..c99bb0b53 100644
--- a/consensus/consensus_v2.go
+++ b/consensus/consensus_v2.go
@@ -163,9 +163,9 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) finalizeCommits() {
 
 	if consensus.consensusTimeout[timeoutBootstrap].IsActive() {
 		consensus.consensusTimeout[timeoutBootstrap].Stop()
-		consensus.getLogger().Debug().Msg("[finalizeCommits] Start consensus timer; stop bootstrap timer only once")
+		consensus.getLogger().Info().Msg("[finalizeCommits] Start consensus timer; stop bootstrap timer only once")
 	} else {
-		consensus.getLogger().Debug().Msg("[finalizeCommits] Start consensus timer")
+		consensus.getLogger().Info().Msg("[finalizeCommits] Start consensus timer")
 	}
 	consensus.consensusTimeout[timeoutConsensus].Start()
 
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) finalizeCommits() {
 		Msg("HOORAY!!!!!!! CONSENSUS REACHED!!!!!!!")
 
 	// Sleep to wait for the full block time
-	consensus.getLogger().Debug().Msg("[finalizeCommits] Waiting for Block Time")
+	consensus.getLogger().Info().Msg("[finalizeCommits] Waiting for Block Time")
 	<-time.After(time.Until(consensus.NextBlockDue))
 
 	// Send signal to Node to propose the new block for consensus
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) tryCatchup() {
 		consensus.getLogger().Info().Msg("[TryCatchup] block found to commit")
 
 		atomic.AddUint64(&consensus.blockNum, 1)
-		atomic.StoreUint64(&consensus.viewID, committedMsg.ViewID+1)
+		consensus.SetCurViewID(committedMsg.ViewID + 1)
 
 		consensus.LeaderPubKey = committedMsg.SenderPubkeys[0]
 
@@ -344,10 +344,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) Start(
 		ticker := time.NewTicker(3 * time.Second)
 		defer ticker.Stop()
 		consensus.consensusTimeout[timeoutBootstrap].Start()
-		consensus.getLogger().Debug().
-			Uint64("viewID", consensus.viewID).
-			Uint64("blockNum", consensus.blockNum).
-			Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] Start bootstrap timeout (only once)")
+		consensus.getLogger().Info().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] Start bootstrap timeout (only once)")
 
 		vdfInProgress := false
 		// Set up next block due time.
@@ -371,26 +368,27 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) Start(
 						continue
 					}
 					if k != timeoutViewChange {
-						consensus.getLogger().Debug().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] Ops Consensus Timeout!!!")
-						consensus.startViewChange(consensus.viewID + 1)
+						consensus.getLogger().Warn().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] Ops Consensus Timeout!!!")
+						viewID := consensus.GetCurViewID()
+						consensus.startViewChange(viewID + 1)
 						break
 					} else {
-						consensus.getLogger().Debug().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] Ops View Change Timeout!!!")
-						viewID := consensus.current.ViewID()
+						consensus.getLogger().Warn().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] Ops View Change Timeout!!!")
+						viewID := consensus.GetViewChangingID()
 						consensus.startViewChange(viewID + 1)
 						break
 					}
 				}
 			case <-consensus.syncReadyChan:
-				consensus.getLogger().Debug().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] syncReadyChan")
+				consensus.getLogger().Info().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] syncReadyChan")
 				consensus.SetBlockNum(consensus.ChainReader.CurrentHeader().Number().Uint64() + 1)
-				consensus.SetViewID(consensus.ChainReader.CurrentHeader().ViewID().Uint64() + 1)
+				consensus.SetViewIDs(consensus.ChainReader.CurrentHeader().ViewID().Uint64() + 1)
 				mode := consensus.UpdateConsensusInformation()
 				consensus.current.SetMode(mode)
 				consensus.getLogger().Info().Str("Mode", mode.String()).Msg("Node is IN SYNC")
 
 			case <-consensus.syncNotReadyChan:
-				consensus.getLogger().Debug().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] syncNotReadyChan")
+				consensus.getLogger().Info().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] syncNotReadyChan")
 				consensus.SetBlockNum(consensus.ChainReader.CurrentHeader().Number().Uint64() + 1)
 				consensus.current.SetMode(Syncing)
 				consensus.getLogger().Info().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] Node is OUT OF SYNC")
@@ -476,7 +474,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) Start(
 				startTime = time.Now()
 				consensus.msgSender.Reset(newBlock.NumberU64())
 
-				consensus.getLogger().Debug().
+				consensus.getLogger().Info().
 					Int("numTxs", len(newBlock.Transactions())).
 					Int("numStakingTxs", len(newBlock.StakingTransactions())).
 					Time("startTime", startTime).
@@ -485,23 +483,23 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) Start(
 				consensus.announce(newBlock)
 
 			case viewID := <-consensus.commitFinishChan:
-				consensus.getLogger().Debug().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] commitFinishChan")
+				consensus.getLogger().Info().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] commitFinishChan")
 
 				// Only Leader execute this condition
 				func() {
 					consensus.mutex.Lock()
 					defer consensus.mutex.Unlock()
-					if viewID == consensus.viewID {
+					if viewID == consensus.GetCurViewID() {
 						consensus.finalizeCommits()
 					}
 				}()
 
 			case <-stopChan:
-				consensus.getLogger().Debug().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] stopChan")
+				consensus.getLogger().Info().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] stopChan")
 				return
 			}
 		}
-		consensus.getLogger().Debug().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] Ended.")
+		consensus.getLogger().Info().Msg("[ConsensusMainLoop] Ended.")
 	}()
 }
 
diff --git a/consensus/consensus_viewchange_msg.go b/consensus/consensus_viewchange_msg.go
index fd2496128..fae0a9eff 100644
--- a/consensus/consensus_viewchange_msg.go
+++ b/consensus/consensus_viewchange_msg.go
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/harmony-one/harmony/api/proto"
 	msg_pb "github.com/harmony-one/harmony/api/proto/message"
 	bls_cosi "github.com/harmony-one/harmony/crypto/bls"
-	"github.com/harmony-one/harmony/internal/utils"
 )
 
 // construct the view change message
@@ -19,20 +18,16 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) constructViewChangeMessage(priKey *bls.PrivateKeyWra
 		ServiceType: msg_pb.ServiceType_CONSENSUS,
 		Type:        msg_pb.MessageType_VIEWCHANGE,
 		Request: &msg_pb.Message_Viewchange{
-			Viewchange: &msg_pb.ViewChangeRequest{},
+			Viewchange: &msg_pb.ViewChangeRequest{
+				ViewId:       consensus.GetViewChangingID(),
+				BlockNum:     consensus.blockNum,
+				ShardId:      consensus.ShardID,
+				SenderPubkey: priKey.Pub.Bytes[:],
+				LeaderPubkey: consensus.LeaderPubKey.Bytes[:],
+			},
 		},
 	}
 
-	vcMsg := message.GetViewchange()
-	vcMsg.ViewId = consensus.current.ViewID()
-	vcMsg.BlockNum = consensus.blockNum
-	vcMsg.ShardId = consensus.ShardID
-	// sender address
-	vcMsg.SenderPubkey = priKey.Pub.Bytes[:]
-
-	// next leader key already updated
-	vcMsg.LeaderPubkey = consensus.LeaderPubKey.Bytes[:]
-
 	preparedMsgs := consensus.FBFTLog.GetMessagesByTypeSeq(
 		msg_pb.MessageType_PREPARED, consensus.blockNum,
 	)
@@ -41,7 +36,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) constructViewChangeMessage(priKey *bls.PrivateKeyWra
 	var encodedBlock []byte
 	if preparedMsg != nil {
 		block := consensus.FBFTLog.GetBlockByHash(preparedMsg.BlockHash)
-		utils.Logger().Debug().
+		consensus.getLogger().Debug().
 			Interface("Block", block).
 			Interface("preparedMsg", preparedMsg).
 			Msg("[constructViewChangeMessage] found prepared msg")
@@ -58,6 +53,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) constructViewChangeMessage(priKey *bls.PrivateKeyWra
 		}
 	}
 
+	vcMsg := message.GetViewchange()
 	var msgToSign []byte
 	if len(encodedBlock) == 0 {
 		msgToSign = NIL // m2 type message
@@ -69,7 +65,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) constructViewChangeMessage(priKey *bls.PrivateKeyWra
 		vcMsg.PreparedBlock = encodedBlock
 	}
 
-	utils.Logger().Debug().
+	consensus.getLogger().Debug().
 		Hex("m1Payload", vcMsg.Payload).
 		Str("pubKey", consensus.GetPublicKeys().SerializeToHexStr()).
 		Msg("[constructViewChangeMessage]")
@@ -78,21 +74,21 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) constructViewChangeMessage(priKey *bls.PrivateKeyWra
 	if sign != nil {
 		vcMsg.ViewchangeSig = sign.Serialize()
 	} else {
-		utils.Logger().Error().Msg("unable to serialize m1/m2 view change message signature")
+		consensus.getLogger().Error().Msg("unable to serialize m1/m2 view change message signature")
 	}
 
 	viewIDBytes := make([]byte, 8)
-	binary.LittleEndian.PutUint64(viewIDBytes, consensus.current.ViewID())
+	binary.LittleEndian.PutUint64(viewIDBytes, consensus.GetViewChangingID())
 	sign1 := priKey.Pri.SignHash(viewIDBytes)
 	if sign1 != nil {
 		vcMsg.ViewidSig = sign1.Serialize()
 	} else {
-		utils.Logger().Error().Msg("unable to serialize viewID signature")
+		consensus.getLogger().Error().Msg("unable to serialize viewID signature")
 	}
 
 	marshaledMessage, err := consensus.signAndMarshalConsensusMessage(message, priKey.Pri)
 	if err != nil {
-		utils.Logger().Error().Err(err).
+		consensus.getLogger().Err(err).
 			Msg("[constructViewChangeMessage] failed to sign and marshal the viewchange message")
 	}
 	return proto.ConstructConsensusMessage(marshaledMessage)
@@ -104,16 +100,16 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) constructNewViewMessage(viewID uint64, priKey *bls.P
 		ServiceType: msg_pb.ServiceType_CONSENSUS,
 		Type:        msg_pb.MessageType_NEWVIEW,
 		Request: &msg_pb.Message_Viewchange{
-			Viewchange: &msg_pb.ViewChangeRequest{},
+			Viewchange: &msg_pb.ViewChangeRequest{
+				ViewId:       consensus.GetViewChangingID(),
+				BlockNum:     consensus.blockNum,
+				ShardId:      consensus.ShardID,
+				SenderPubkey: priKey.Pub.Bytes[:],
+			},
 		},
 	}
 
 	vcMsg := message.GetViewchange()
-	vcMsg.ViewId = consensus.current.ViewID()
-	vcMsg.BlockNum = consensus.blockNum
-	vcMsg.ShardId = consensus.ShardID
-	// sender address
-	vcMsg.SenderPubkey = priKey.Pub.Bytes[:]
 	vcMsg.Payload = consensus.m1Payload
 	if len(consensus.m1Payload) != 0 {
 		block := consensus.FBFTLog.GetBlockByHash(consensus.blockHash)
@@ -129,7 +125,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) constructNewViewMessage(viewID uint64, priKey *bls.P
 	}
 
 	sig2arr := consensus.GetNilSigsArray(viewID)
-	utils.Logger().Debug().Int("len", len(sig2arr)).Msg("[constructNewViewMessage] M2 (NIL) type signatures")
+	consensus.getLogger().Debug().Int("len", len(sig2arr)).Msg("[constructNewViewMessage] M2 (NIL) type signatures")
 	if len(sig2arr) > 0 {
 		m2Sig := bls_cosi.AggregateSig(sig2arr)
 		vcMsg.M2Aggsigs = m2Sig.Serialize()
@@ -147,7 +143,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) constructNewViewMessage(viewID uint64, priKey *bls.P
 
 	marshaledMessage, err := consensus.signAndMarshalConsensusMessage(message, priKey.Pri)
 	if err != nil {
-		utils.Logger().Error().Err(err).
+		consensus.getLogger().Err(err).
 			Msg("[constructNewViewMessage] failed to sign and marshal the new view message")
 	}
 	return proto.ConstructConsensusMessage(marshaledMessage)
diff --git a/consensus/construct.go b/consensus/construct.go
index 36b662455..59b2e6131 100644
--- a/consensus/construct.go
+++ b/consensus/construct.go
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ type NetworkMessage struct {
 func (consensus *Consensus) populateMessageFields(
 	request *msg_pb.ConsensusRequest, blockHash []byte,
 ) *msg_pb.ConsensusRequest {
-	request.ViewId = consensus.viewID
+	request.ViewId = consensus.GetCurViewID()
 	request.BlockNum = consensus.blockNum
 	request.ShardId = consensus.ShardID
 	// 32 byte block hash
diff --git a/consensus/construct_test.go b/consensus/construct_test.go
index 660b2971d..1af732833 100644
--- a/consensus/construct_test.go
+++ b/consensus/construct_test.go
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func TestConstructPreparedMessage(test *testing.T) {
 		leaderPriKey.Sign(message),
 		common.BytesToHash(consensus.blockHash[:]),
 		consensus.blockNum,
-		consensus.viewID,
+		consensus.GetCurViewID(),
 	)
 	if _, err := consensus.Decider.SubmitVote(
 		quorum.Prepare,
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ func TestConstructPreparedMessage(test *testing.T) {
 		validatorPriKey.Sign(message),
 		common.BytesToHash(consensus.blockHash[:]),
 		consensus.blockNum,
-		consensus.viewID,
+		consensus.GetCurViewID(),
 	); err != nil {
 		test.Log(err)
 	}
diff --git a/consensus/debug.go b/consensus/debug.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4045bd90c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/consensus/debug.go
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+package consensus
+
+// GetConsensusPhase returns the current phase of the consensus
+func (c *Consensus) GetConsensusPhase() string {
+	return c.phase.String()
+}
+
+// GetConsensusMode returns the current mode of the consensus
+func (c *Consensus) GetConsensusMode() string {
+	return c.current.mode.String()
+}
+
+// GetCurViewID returns the current view ID of the consensus
+func (c *Consensus) GetCurViewID() uint64 {
+	return c.current.GetCurViewID()
+}
+
+// GetViewChangingID returns the current view changing ID of the consensus
+func (c *Consensus) GetViewChangingID() uint64 {
+	return c.current.GetViewChangingID()
+}
diff --git a/consensus/leader.go b/consensus/leader.go
index 5f5fa81f5..9a961784d 100644
--- a/consensus/leader.go
+++ b/consensus/leader.go
@@ -110,12 +110,11 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) onPrepare(msg *msg_pb.Message) {
 
 	// TODO(audit): make FBFT lookup using map instead of looping through all items.
 	if !consensus.FBFTLog.HasMatchingViewAnnounce(
-		consensus.blockNum, consensus.viewID, recvMsg.BlockHash,
+		consensus.blockNum, consensus.GetCurViewID(), recvMsg.BlockHash,
 	) {
 		consensus.getLogger().Debug().
 			Uint64("MsgViewID", recvMsg.ViewID).
 			Uint64("MsgBlockNum", recvMsg.BlockNum).
-			Uint64("blockNum", consensus.blockNum).
 			Msg("[OnPrepare] No Matching Announce message")
 	}
 
@@ -288,7 +287,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) onCommit(msg *msg_pb.Message) {
 	//// Write - End
 
 	//// Read - Start
-	viewID := consensus.viewID
+	viewID := consensus.GetCurViewID()
 
 	if consensus.Decider.IsAllSigsCollected() {
 		go func(viewID uint64) {
diff --git a/consensus/view_change.go b/consensus/view_change.go
index f31ad6447..66db3577e 100644
--- a/consensus/view_change.go
+++ b/consensus/view_change.go
@@ -28,38 +28,74 @@ const MaxViewIDDiff = 100
 
 // State contains current mode and current viewID
 type State struct {
-	mode   Mode
-	viewID uint64
-	mux    sync.Mutex
+	mode    Mode
+	modeMux sync.RWMutex
+
+	// current view id in normal mode
+	// it changes per successful consensus
+	curViewID uint64
+	cViewMux  sync.RWMutex
+
+	// view changing id is used during view change mode
+	// it is the next view id
+	viewChangingID uint64
+
+	viewMux sync.RWMutex
 }
 
 // Mode return the current node mode
 func (pm *State) Mode() Mode {
+	pm.modeMux.RLock()
+	defer pm.modeMux.RUnlock()
 	return pm.mode
 }
 
 // SetMode set the node mode as required
 func (pm *State) SetMode(s Mode) {
-	pm.mux.Lock()
-	defer pm.mux.Unlock()
+	pm.modeMux.Lock()
+	defer pm.modeMux.Unlock()
 	pm.mode = s
 }
 
-// ViewID return the current viewchanging id
-func (pm *State) ViewID() uint64 {
-	return pm.viewID
+// GetCurViewID return the current view id
+func (pm *State) GetCurViewID() uint64 {
+	pm.cViewMux.RLock()
+	defer pm.cViewMux.RUnlock()
+	return pm.curViewID
+}
+
+// SetCurViewID sets the current view id
+func (pm *State) SetCurViewID(viewID uint64) {
+	pm.cViewMux.Lock()
+	defer pm.cViewMux.Unlock()
+	pm.curViewID = viewID
+}
+
+// GetViewChangingID return the current view changing id
+// It is meaningful during view change mode
+func (pm *State) GetViewChangingID() uint64 {
+	pm.viewMux.RLock()
+	defer pm.viewMux.RUnlock()
+	return pm.viewChangingID
 }
 
-// SetViewID sets the viewchanging id accordingly
-func (pm *State) SetViewID(viewID uint64) {
-	pm.mux.Lock()
-	defer pm.mux.Unlock()
-	pm.viewID = viewID
+// SetViewChangingID set the current view changing id
+// It is meaningful during view change mode
+func (pm *State) SetViewChangingID(id uint64) {
+	pm.viewMux.Lock()
+	defer pm.viewMux.Unlock()
+	pm.viewChangingID = id
 }
 
-// GetViewID returns the current viewchange viewID
-func (pm *State) GetViewID() uint64 {
-	return pm.viewID
+// GetViewChangeDuraion return the duration of the current view change
+// It increase in the power of difference betweeen view changing ID and current view ID
+func (pm *State) GetViewChangeDuraion() time.Duration {
+	pm.viewMux.RLock()
+	pm.cViewMux.RLock()
+	defer pm.viewMux.RUnlock()
+	defer pm.cViewMux.RUnlock()
+	diff := int64(pm.viewChangingID - pm.curViewID)
+	return time.Duration(diff * diff * int64(viewChangeDuration))
 }
 
 // switchPhase will switch FBFTPhase to nextPhase if the desirePhase equals the nextPhase
@@ -126,13 +162,12 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) startViewChange(viewID uint64) {
 	consensus.consensusTimeout[timeoutConsensus].Stop()
 	consensus.consensusTimeout[timeoutBootstrap].Stop()
 	consensus.current.SetMode(ViewChanging)
-	consensus.current.SetViewID(viewID)
+	consensus.SetViewChangingID(viewID)
 	consensus.LeaderPubKey = consensus.GetNextLeaderKey()
 
-	diff := int64(viewID - consensus.viewID)
-	duration := time.Duration(diff * diff * int64(viewChangeDuration))
-	consensus.getLogger().Info().
-		Uint64("ViewChangingID", viewID).
+	duration := consensus.current.GetViewChangeDuraion()
+	consensus.getLogger().Warn().
+		Uint64("viewChangingID", consensus.GetViewChangingID()).
 		Dur("timeoutDuration", duration).
 		Str("NextLeader", consensus.LeaderPubKey.Bytes.Hex()).
 		Msg("[startViewChange]")
@@ -151,9 +186,6 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) startViewChange(viewID uint64) {
 
 	consensus.consensusTimeout[timeoutViewChange].SetDuration(duration)
 	consensus.consensusTimeout[timeoutViewChange].Start()
-	consensus.getLogger().Info().
-		Uint64("ViewChangingID", consensus.current.ViewID()).
-		Msg("[startViewChange] start view change timer")
 }
 
 func (consensus *Consensus) onViewChange(msg *msg_pb.Message) {
@@ -182,10 +214,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) onViewChange(msg *msg_pb.Message) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	if len(recvMsg.SenderPubkeys) != 1 {
-		consensus.getLogger().Error().Msg("[onViewChange] multiple signers in view change message.")
-		return
-	}
+	// already checked the length of SenderPubkeys in onViewChangeSanityCheck
 	senderKey := recvMsg.SenderPubkeys[0]
 
 	consensus.vcLock.Lock()
@@ -396,7 +425,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) onViewChange(msg *msg_pb.Message) {
 		if len(consensus.m1Payload) == 0 {
 			// TODO(Chao): explain why ReadySignal is sent only in this case but not the other case.
 			// Make sure the newly proposed block have the correct view ID
-			consensus.viewID = recvMsg.ViewID
+			consensus.SetCurViewID(recvMsg.ViewID)
 			go func() {
 				consensus.ReadySignal <- struct{}{}
 			}()
@@ -447,7 +476,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) onViewChange(msg *msg_pb.Message) {
 			}
 		}
 
-		consensus.current.SetViewID(recvMsg.ViewID)
+		consensus.SetCurViewID(recvMsg.ViewID)
 		msgToSend := consensus.constructNewViewMessage(
 			recvMsg.ViewID, newLeaderPriKey,
 		)
@@ -467,18 +496,11 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) onViewChange(msg *msg_pb.Message) {
 				Msg("could not send out the NEWVIEW message")
 		}
 
-		consensus.viewID = recvMsg.ViewID
+		consensus.SetCurViewID(recvMsg.ViewID)
 		consensus.ResetViewChangeState()
 		consensus.consensusTimeout[timeoutViewChange].Stop()
 		consensus.consensusTimeout[timeoutConsensus].Start()
-		consensus.getLogger().Debug().
-			Uint64("viewChangingID", consensus.current.ViewID()).
-			Msg("[onViewChange] New Leader Start Consensus Timer and Stop View Change Timer")
-		consensus.getLogger().Info().
-			Str("myKey", newLeaderKey.Bytes.Hex()).
-			Uint64("viewID", consensus.viewID).
-			Uint64("block", consensus.blockNum).
-			Msg("[onViewChange] I am the New Leader")
+		consensus.getLogger().Info().Str("myKey", newLeaderKey.Bytes.Hex()).Msg("[onViewChange] I am the New Leader")
 	}
 }
 
@@ -612,8 +634,7 @@ func (consensus *Consensus) onNewView(msg *msg_pb.Message) {
 	}
 
 	// newView message verified success, override my state
-	consensus.viewID = recvMsg.ViewID
-	consensus.current.SetViewID(recvMsg.ViewID)
+	consensus.SetCurViewID(recvMsg.ViewID)
 	consensus.LeaderPubKey = senderKey
 	consensus.ResetViewChangeState()
 
diff --git a/consensus/view_change_test.go b/consensus/view_change_test.go
index 550552faf..07880634d 100644
--- a/consensus/view_change_test.go
+++ b/consensus/view_change_test.go
@@ -25,15 +25,11 @@ func TestBasicViewChanging(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, ViewChanging, consensus.current.Mode())
 
 	// Change ViewID
-	assert.Equal(t, state.viewID, consensus.current.viewID)
-	assert.Equal(t, state.ViewID(), consensus.current.ViewID())
-	assert.Equal(t, state.GetViewID(), consensus.current.GetViewID()) // Why are there two methods to retrieve the ViewID?
-
-	newViewID := consensus.current.ViewID() + 1
-	consensus.current.SetViewID(newViewID)
-	assert.Equal(t, newViewID, consensus.current.viewID)
-	assert.Equal(t, newViewID, consensus.current.ViewID())
-	assert.Equal(t, newViewID, consensus.current.GetViewID())
+	assert.Equal(t, state.GetViewChangingID(), consensus.current.GetViewChangingID())
+
+	newViewID := consensus.current.GetViewChangingID() + 1
+	consensus.SetViewIDs(newViewID)
+	assert.Equal(t, newViewID, consensus.current.GetViewChangingID())
 }
 
 func TestPhaseSwitching(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index ef9ae011d..6fc8a106a 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/fjl/memsize v0.0.0-20180929194037-2a09253e352a // indirect
 	github.com/garslo/gogen v0.0.0-20170307003452-d6ebae628c7c // indirect
 	github.com/golang/mock v1.4.0
-	github.com/golang/protobuf v1.4.0
+	github.com/golang/protobuf v1.4.2
 	github.com/golangci/golangci-lint v1.22.2
 	github.com/gorilla/mux v1.7.4
 	github.com/gorilla/websocket v1.4.2 // indirect
diff --git a/hmy/hmy.go b/hmy/hmy.go
index 798700ffa..61c209804 100644
--- a/hmy/hmy.go
+++ b/hmy/hmy.go
@@ -92,6 +92,13 @@ type NodeAPI interface {
 	ListPeer(topic string) []peer.ID
 	ListTopic() []string
 	ListBlockedPeer() []peer.ID
+
+	// debug API
+	GetConsensusMode() string
+	GetConsensusPhase() string
+	GetConsensusViewChangingID() uint64
+	GetConsensusCurViewID() uint64
+	ShutDown()
 }
 
 // New creates a new Harmony object (including the
diff --git a/node/api.go b/node/api.go
index 0229f532f..e01d2146b 100644
--- a/node/api.go
+++ b/node/api.go
@@ -106,3 +106,23 @@ func (node *Node) APIs(harmony *hmy.Harmony) []rpc.API {
 		},
 	}
 }
+
+// GetConsensusMode returns the current consensus mode
+func (node *Node) GetConsensusMode() string {
+	return node.Consensus.GetConsensusMode()
+}
+
+// GetConsensusPhase returns the current consensus phase
+func (node *Node) GetConsensusPhase() string {
+	return node.Consensus.GetConsensusPhase()
+}
+
+// GetConsensusViewChangingID returns the view changing ID
+func (node *Node) GetConsensusViewChangingID() uint64 {
+	return node.Consensus.GetViewChangingID()
+}
+
+// GetConsensusCurViewID returns the current view ID
+func (node *Node) GetConsensusCurViewID() uint64 {
+	return node.Consensus.GetCurViewID()
+}
diff --git a/node/node.go b/node/node.go
index 665a01de3..d8ed850d9 100644
--- a/node/node.go
+++ b/node/node.go
@@ -456,6 +456,12 @@ func (node *Node) validateShardBoundMessage(
 		case msg_pb.MessageType_PREPARE, msg_pb.MessageType_COMMIT:
 			return nil, nil, true, nil
 		}
+	} else {
+		// ignore newview message if the node is not in viewchanging mode
+		switch m.Type {
+		case msg_pb.MessageType_NEWVIEW:
+			return nil, nil, true, nil
+		}
 	}
 
 	// ignore message not intended for leader, but still forward them to the network
diff --git a/node/node_newblock.go b/node/node_newblock.go
index 1a20c6ad3..467479f6d 100644
--- a/node/node_newblock.go
+++ b/node/node_newblock.go
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ func (node *Node) proposeNewBlock() (*types.Block, error) {
 	}
 
 	return node.Worker.FinalizeNewBlock(
-		sig, mask, node.Consensus.GetViewID(),
+		sig, mask, node.Consensus.GetCurViewID(),
 		coinbase, crossLinksToPropose, shardState,
 	)
 }
diff --git a/rpc/debug.go b/rpc/debug.go
index 090e68f14..4d7c86d70 100644
--- a/rpc/debug.go
+++ b/rpc/debug.go
@@ -38,3 +38,31 @@ func (*PrivateDebugService) SetLogVerbosity(ctx context.Context, level int) (map
 	utils.SetLogVerbosity(verbosity)
 	return map[string]interface{}{"verbosity": verbosity.String()}, nil
 }
+
+// ConsensusViewChangingID return the current view changing ID to RPC
+func (s *PrivateDebugService) ConsensusViewChangingID(
+	ctx context.Context,
+) uint64 {
+	return s.hmy.NodeAPI.GetConsensusViewChangingID()
+}
+
+// ConsensusCurViewID return the current view ID to RPC
+func (s *PrivateDebugService) ConsensusCurViewID(
+	ctx context.Context,
+) uint64 {
+	return s.hmy.NodeAPI.GetConsensusCurViewID()
+}
+
+// GetConsensusMode return the current consensus mode
+func (s *PrivateDebugService) GetConsensusMode(
+	ctx context.Context,
+) string {
+	return s.hmy.NodeAPI.GetConsensusMode()
+}
+
+// GetConsensusPhase return the current consensus mode
+func (s *PrivateDebugService) GetConsensusPhase(
+	ctx context.Context,
+) string {
+	return s.hmy.NodeAPI.GetConsensusPhase()
+}
diff --git a/scripts/install_build_tools.sh b/scripts/install_build_tools.sh
index 00b68f75d..e150bb023 100755
--- a/scripts/install_build_tools.sh
+++ b/scripts/install_build_tools.sh
@@ -12,4 +12,4 @@ esac
 sed -n 's/^	_ "\([^"]*\)"$/\1/p' "${progdir}/../tools/tools.go" | \
 	xargs "${progdir}/goget.sh"
 
-"${progdir}/install_protoc.sh" -V 3.6.1
+"${progdir}/install_protoc.sh" -V 3.12.3
diff --git a/scripts/install_protoc.sh b/scripts/install_protoc.sh
index df64404ef..980d82cd7 100755
--- a/scripts/install_protoc.sh
+++ b/scripts/install_protoc.sh
@@ -58,4 +58,5 @@ curl -s -S -L -o "${filename}" "${url}"
 echo "Downloaded as ${filename}; unzipping into ${destdir}..."
 sudo unzip -o -d "${destdir}" "${filename}"
 echo "protoc v${version} has been installed in ${destdir}."
+sudo chmod +x "${destdir}/bin/protoc"
 exit 0