diff --git a/akka-actor-migration/src/main/scala/akka/actor/GlobalActorSystem.scala b/akka-actor-migration/src/main/scala/akka/actor/GlobalActorSystem.scala
index 694dd5d547..e08883c6ed 100644
--- a/akka-actor-migration/src/main/scala/akka/actor/GlobalActorSystem.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-migration/src/main/scala/akka/actor/GlobalActorSystem.scala
@@ -4,14 +4,21 @@
 package akka.actor
 
 import java.io.File
-
 import com.typesafe.config.Config
 import com.typesafe.config.ConfigFactory
 import com.typesafe.config.ConfigParseOptions
+import akka.util.Timeout
+import akka.util.duration._
 
 @deprecated("use ActorSystem instead", "2.0")
 object GlobalActorSystem extends ActorSystemImpl("GlobalSystem", OldConfigurationLoader.defaultConfig) {
   start()
+
+  /**
+   * Timeout used in `OldFuture.get` and default implicit ask timeout.
+   * Hard coded since the migration kit is not intended to be used for production anyway.
+   */
+  val AwaitTimeout = Timeout(5 seconds)
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/akka-actor-migration/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/OldFuture.scala b/akka-actor-migration/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/OldFuture.scala
index 89941cd066..60029e256a 100644
--- a/akka-actor-migration/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/OldFuture.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-migration/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/OldFuture.scala
@@ -18,13 +18,13 @@ class OldFuture[T](future: Future[T]) {
 
   @deprecated("use akka.dispatch.Await.result instead", "2.0")
   def get: T = try {
-    Await.result(future, GlobalActorSystem.settings.ActorTimeout.duration)
+    Await.result(future, GlobalActorSystem.AwaitTimeout.duration)
   } catch {
     case e: TimeoutException ⇒ throw new FutureTimeoutException(e.getMessage, e)
   }
 
   @deprecated("use akka.dispatch.Await.ready instead", "2.0")
-  def await: Future[T] = await(GlobalActorSystem.settings.ActorTimeout.duration)
+  def await: Future[T] = await(GlobalActorSystem.AwaitTimeout.duration)
 
   @deprecated("use akka.dispatch.Await.ready instead", "2.0")
   def await(atMost: Duration) = try {
diff --git a/akka-actor-migration/src/main/scala/akka/migration/package.scala b/akka-actor-migration/src/main/scala/akka/migration/package.scala
index 6b8cad6fe2..469604e464 100644
--- a/akka-actor-migration/src/main/scala/akka/migration/package.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-migration/src/main/scala/akka/migration/package.scala
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ package object migration {
 
   implicit def future2OldFuture[T](future: Future[T]): OldFuture[T] = new OldFuture[T](future)
 
-  implicit def askTimeout: Timeout = GlobalActorSystem.settings.ActorTimeout
+  implicit def askTimeout: Timeout = GlobalActorSystem.AwaitTimeout
 
   implicit def defaultDispatcher: MessageDispatcher = GlobalActorSystem.dispatcher
 
diff --git a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/java/akka/actor/JavaExtension.java b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/java/akka/actor/JavaExtension.java
index 28b87bb5db..616675eb77 100644
--- a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/java/akka/actor/JavaExtension.java
+++ b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/java/akka/actor/JavaExtension.java
@@ -40,10 +40,10 @@ public class JavaExtension {
     static final ExtensionKey<OtherExtension> key = new ExtensionKey<OtherExtension>(OtherExtension.class) {
     };
 
-    public final ActorSystemImpl system;
+    public final ExtendedActorSystem system;
 
-    public OtherExtension(ActorSystemImpl i) {
-      system = i;
+    public OtherExtension(ExtendedActorSystem system) {
+      this.system = system;
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/java/akka/dispatch/JavaFutureTests.java b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/java/akka/dispatch/JavaFutureTests.java
index f494fd7d81..b03fe3b5fc 100644
--- a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/java/akka/dispatch/JavaFutureTests.java
+++ b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/java/akka/dispatch/JavaFutureTests.java
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import akka.actor.ActorSystem;
 
 import akka.japi.*;
 import akka.util.Duration;
+import akka.testkit.TestKitExtension;
 import org.junit.AfterClass;
 import org.junit.BeforeClass;
 import org.junit.Test;
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ public class JavaFutureTests {
   @BeforeClass
   public static void beforeAll() {
     system = ActorSystem.create("JavaFutureTests", AkkaSpec.testConf());
-    t = system.settings().ActorTimeout();
+    t = TestKitExtension.get(system).DefaultTimeout();
   }
 
   @AfterClass
@@ -61,10 +62,10 @@ public class JavaFutureTests {
     Promise<String> cf = Futures.promise(system.dispatcher());
     Future<String> f = cf;
     f.onSuccess(new OnSuccess<String>() {
-        public void onSuccess(String result) {
-            if (result.equals("foo"))
-                latch.countDown();
-        }
+      public void onSuccess(String result) {
+        if (result.equals("foo"))
+          latch.countDown();
+      }
     });
 
     cf.success("foo");
@@ -78,10 +79,10 @@ public class JavaFutureTests {
     Promise<String> cf = Futures.promise(system.dispatcher());
     Future<String> f = cf;
     f.onFailure(new OnFailure() {
-        public void onFailure(Throwable t) {
-            if (t instanceof NullPointerException)
-                latch.countDown();
-        }
+      public void onFailure(Throwable t) {
+        if (t instanceof NullPointerException)
+          latch.countDown();
+      }
     });
 
     Throwable exception = new NullPointerException();
@@ -296,8 +297,10 @@ public class JavaFutureTests {
     Promise<Object> p = Futures.promise(system.dispatcher());
     Future<Object> f = p.future().recover(new Recover<Object>() {
       public Object recover(Throwable t) throws Throwable {
-        if (t == fail) return "foo";
-        else throw t;
+        if (t == fail)
+          return "foo";
+        else
+          throw t;
       }
     });
     Duration d = Duration.create(1, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
@@ -311,8 +314,10 @@ public class JavaFutureTests {
     Promise<Object> p = Futures.promise(system.dispatcher());
     Future<Object> f = p.future().recoverWith(new Recover<Future<Object>>() {
       public Future<Object> recover(Throwable t) throws Throwable {
-        if (t == fail) return Futures.<Object>successful("foo", system.dispatcher()).future();
-        else throw t;
+        if (t == fail)
+          return Futures.<Object> successful("foo", system.dispatcher()).future();
+        else
+          throw t;
       }
     });
     Duration d = Duration.create(1, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
diff --git a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/ActorLookupSpec.scala b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/ActorLookupSpec.scala
index 626e413ec8..299cc16679 100644
--- a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/ActorLookupSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/ActorLookupSpec.scala
@@ -305,6 +305,7 @@ class ActorLookupSpec extends AkkaSpec with DefaultTimeout {
       intercept[MalformedURLException] { ActorPath.fromString("://hallo") }
       intercept[MalformedURLException] { ActorPath.fromString("s://dd@:12") }
       intercept[MalformedURLException] { ActorPath.fromString("s://dd@h:hd") }
+      intercept[MalformedURLException] { ActorPath.fromString("a://l:1/b") }
     }
 
   }
diff --git a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/ActorRefSpec.scala b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/ActorRefSpec.scala
index a2c3c7da5a..e8c667bc7e 100644
--- a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/ActorRefSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/ActorRefSpec.scala
@@ -11,11 +11,10 @@ import akka.testkit._
 import akka.util.Timeout
 import akka.util.duration._
 import java.lang.IllegalStateException
-import akka.util.ReflectiveAccess
-import akka.serialization.Serialization
 import java.util.concurrent.{ CountDownLatch, TimeUnit }
 import akka.dispatch.{ Await, DefaultPromise, Promise, Future }
 import akka.pattern.ask
+import akka.serialization.JavaSerializer
 
 object ActorRefSpec {
 
@@ -240,6 +239,7 @@ class ActorRefSpec extends AkkaSpec with DefaultTimeout {
 
     "be serializable using Java Serialization on local node" in {
       val a = system.actorOf(Props[InnerActor])
+      val esys = system.asInstanceOf[ExtendedActorSystem]
 
       import java.io._
 
@@ -251,14 +251,21 @@ class ActorRefSpec extends AkkaSpec with DefaultTimeout {
       out.flush
       out.close
 
-      Serialization.currentSystem.withValue(system.asInstanceOf[ActorSystemImpl]) {
-        val in = new ObjectInputStream(new ByteArrayInputStream(baos.toByteArray))
+      val bytes = baos.toByteArray
+
+      JavaSerializer.currentSystem.withValue(esys) {
+        val in = new ObjectInputStream(new ByteArrayInputStream(bytes))
         val readA = in.readObject
 
         a.isInstanceOf[LocalActorRef] must be === true
         readA.isInstanceOf[LocalActorRef] must be === true
         (readA eq a) must be === true
       }
+
+      val ser = new JavaSerializer(esys)
+      val readA = ser.fromBinary(bytes, None)
+      readA.isInstanceOf[LocalActorRef] must be === true
+      (readA eq a) must be === true
     }
 
     "throw an exception on deserialize if no system in scope" in {
@@ -297,7 +304,7 @@ class ActorRefSpec extends AkkaSpec with DefaultTimeout {
       out.flush
       out.close
 
-      Serialization.currentSystem.withValue(sysImpl) {
+      JavaSerializer.currentSystem.withValue(sysImpl) {
         val in = new ObjectInputStream(new ByteArrayInputStream(baos.toByteArray))
         in.readObject must be === new EmptyLocalActorRef(sysImpl.provider, system.actorFor("/").path / "non-existing", system.eventStream)
       }
diff --git a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/TypedActorSpec.scala b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/TypedActorSpec.scala
index b83fe78338..5a9fab6c63 100644
--- a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/TypedActorSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/TypedActorSpec.scala
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import org.scalatest.{ BeforeAndAfterAll, BeforeAndAfterEach }
 import akka.util.Duration
 import akka.util.Timeout
 import akka.util.duration._
-import akka.serialization.Serialization
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicReference
 import annotation.tailrec
 import akka.testkit.{ EventFilter, filterEvents, AkkaSpec }
@@ -19,6 +18,7 @@ import akka.japi.{ Creator, Option ⇒ JOption }
 import akka.testkit.DefaultTimeout
 import akka.dispatch.{ Await, Dispatchers, Future, Promise }
 import akka.pattern.ask
+import akka.serialization.JavaSerializer
 
 object TypedActorSpec {
 
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ object TypedActorSpec {
     }
 
     def futureComposePigdogFrom(foo: Foo): Future[String] = {
-      implicit val timeout = TypedActor.context.system.settings.ActorTimeout
+      implicit val timeout = TypedActor(TypedActor.context.system).DefaultReturnTimeout
       foo.futurePigdog(500).map(_.toUpperCase)
     }
 
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ class TypedActorSpec extends AkkaSpec(TypedActorSpec.config)
 
     "be able to serialize and deserialize invocations" in {
       import java.io._
-      Serialization.currentSystem.withValue(system.asInstanceOf[ActorSystemImpl]) {
+      JavaSerializer.currentSystem.withValue(system.asInstanceOf[ExtendedActorSystem]) {
         val m = TypedActor.MethodCall(classOf[Foo].getDeclaredMethod("pigdog"), Array[AnyRef]())
         val baos = new ByteArrayOutputStream(8192 * 4)
         val out = new ObjectOutputStream(baos)
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ class TypedActorSpec extends AkkaSpec(TypedActorSpec.config)
     "be able to serialize and deserialize invocations' parameters" in {
       import java.io._
       val someFoo: Foo = new Bar
-      Serialization.currentSystem.withValue(system.asInstanceOf[ActorSystemImpl]) {
+      JavaSerializer.currentSystem.withValue(system.asInstanceOf[ExtendedActorSystem]) {
         val m = TypedActor.MethodCall(classOf[Foo].getDeclaredMethod("testMethodCallSerialization", Array[Class[_]](classOf[Foo], classOf[String], classOf[Int]): _*), Array[AnyRef](someFoo, null, 1.asInstanceOf[AnyRef]))
         val baos = new ByteArrayOutputStream(8192 * 4)
         val out = new ObjectOutputStream(baos)
diff --git a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/dispatch/ActorModelSpec.scala b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/dispatch/ActorModelSpec.scala
index 8c949f8776..88358e9f16 100644
--- a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/dispatch/ActorModelSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/actor/dispatch/ActorModelSpec.scala
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ object ActorModelSpec {
 
   case object Restart extends ActorModelMessage
 
+  case object DoubleStop extends ActorModelMessage
+
   case class ThrowException(e: Throwable) extends ActorModelMessage
 
   val Ping = "Ping"
@@ -86,6 +88,7 @@ object ActorModelSpec {
       case Restart                      ⇒ ack; busy.switchOff(); throw new Exception("Restart requested")
       case Interrupt                    ⇒ ack; sender ! Status.Failure(new ActorInterruptedException(new InterruptedException("Ping!"))); busy.switchOff(); throw new InterruptedException("Ping!")
       case ThrowException(e: Throwable) ⇒ ack; busy.switchOff(); throw e
+      case DoubleStop                   ⇒ ack; context.stop(self); context.stop(self); busy.switchOff
     }
   }
 
@@ -107,8 +110,9 @@ object ActorModelSpec {
     val stops = new AtomicLong(0)
 
     def getStats(actorRef: ActorRef) = {
-      stats.putIfAbsent(actorRef, new InterceptorStats) match {
-        case null  ⇒ stats.get(actorRef)
+      val is = new InterceptorStats
+      stats.putIfAbsent(actorRef, is) match {
+        case null  ⇒ is
         case other ⇒ other
       }
     }
@@ -124,12 +128,12 @@ object ActorModelSpec {
     }
 
     protected[akka] abstract override def register(actor: ActorCell) {
-      getStats(actor.self).registers.incrementAndGet()
+      assert(getStats(actor.self).registers.incrementAndGet() == 1)
       super.register(actor)
     }
 
     protected[akka] abstract override def unregister(actor: ActorCell) {
-      getStats(actor.self).unregisters.incrementAndGet()
+      assert(getStats(actor.self).unregisters.incrementAndGet() == 1)
       super.unregister(actor)
     }
 
@@ -190,13 +194,13 @@ object ActorModelSpec {
   }
 
   def assertRef(actorRef: ActorRef, dispatcher: MessageDispatcher = null)(
-    suspensions: Long = statsFor(actorRef).suspensions.get(),
-    resumes: Long = statsFor(actorRef).resumes.get(),
-    registers: Long = statsFor(actorRef).registers.get(),
-    unregisters: Long = statsFor(actorRef).unregisters.get(),
-    msgsReceived: Long = statsFor(actorRef).msgsReceived.get(),
-    msgsProcessed: Long = statsFor(actorRef).msgsProcessed.get(),
-    restarts: Long = statsFor(actorRef).restarts.get())(implicit system: ActorSystem) {
+    suspensions: Long = statsFor(actorRef, dispatcher).suspensions.get(),
+    resumes: Long = statsFor(actorRef, dispatcher).resumes.get(),
+    registers: Long = statsFor(actorRef, dispatcher).registers.get(),
+    unregisters: Long = statsFor(actorRef, dispatcher).unregisters.get(),
+    msgsReceived: Long = statsFor(actorRef, dispatcher).msgsReceived.get(),
+    msgsProcessed: Long = statsFor(actorRef, dispatcher).msgsProcessed.get(),
+    restarts: Long = statsFor(actorRef, dispatcher).restarts.get())(implicit system: ActorSystem) {
     val stats = statsFor(actorRef, Option(dispatcher).getOrElse(actorRef.asInstanceOf[LocalActorRef].underlying.dispatcher))
     val deadline = System.currentTimeMillis + 1000
     try {
@@ -362,16 +366,19 @@ abstract class ActorModelSpec(config: String) extends AkkaSpec(config) with Defa
           case e ⇒
             dispatcher match {
               case dispatcher: BalancingDispatcher ⇒
-                val buddies = dispatcher.buddies
+                val team = dispatcher.team
                 val mq = dispatcher.messageQueue
 
-                System.err.println("Buddies left: ")
-                buddies.toArray foreach {
+                System.err.println("Teammates left: " + team.size + " stopLatch: " + stopLatch.getCount + " inhab:" + dispatcher.inhabitants)
+                team.toArray sorted new Ordering[AnyRef] {
+                  def compare(l: AnyRef, r: AnyRef) = (l, r) match { case (ll: ActorCell, rr: ActorCell) ⇒ ll.self.path compareTo rr.self.path }
+                } foreach {
                   case cell: ActorCell ⇒
                     System.err.println(" - " + cell.self.path + " " + cell.isTerminated + " " + cell.mailbox.status + " " + cell.mailbox.numberOfMessages + " " + SystemMessage.size(cell.mailbox.systemDrain()))
                 }
 
-                System.err.println("Mailbox: " + mq.numberOfMessages + " " + mq.hasMessages + " ")
+                System.err.println("Mailbox: " + mq.numberOfMessages + " " + mq.hasMessages)
+                Iterator.continually(mq.dequeue) takeWhile (_ ne null) foreach System.err.println
               case _ ⇒
             }
 
@@ -426,6 +433,14 @@ abstract class ActorModelSpec(config: String) extends AkkaSpec(config) with Defa
         assert(f5.value.isEmpty)
       }
     }
+
+    "not double-deregister" in {
+      implicit val dispatcher = interceptedDispatcher()
+      val a = newTestActor(dispatcher.id)
+      a ! DoubleStop
+      awaitCond(statsFor(a, dispatcher).registers.get == 1)
+      awaitCond(statsFor(a, dispatcher).unregisters.get == 1)
+    }
   }
 }
 
@@ -529,7 +544,8 @@ object BalancingDispatcherModelSpec {
         Duration(config.getNanoseconds("throughput-deadline-time"), TimeUnit.NANOSECONDS),
         mailboxType,
         configureExecutor(),
-        Duration(config.getMilliseconds("shutdown-timeout"), TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS)) with MessageDispatcherInterceptor
+        Duration(config.getMilliseconds("shutdown-timeout"), TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS),
+        config.getBoolean("attempt-teamwork")) with MessageDispatcherInterceptor
 
     override def dispatcher(): MessageDispatcher = instance
   }
diff --git a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/config/ConfigSpec.scala b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/config/ConfigSpec.scala
index dd5149ad8e..127907412e 100644
--- a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/config/ConfigSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/config/ConfigSpec.scala
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ class ConfigSpec extends AkkaSpec(ConfigFactory.defaultReference) {
           c.getMilliseconds("shutdown-timeout") must equal(1 * 1000)
           c.getInt("throughput") must equal(5)
           c.getMilliseconds("throughput-deadline-time") must equal(0)
+          c.getBoolean("attempt-teamwork") must equal(true)
         }
 
         //Fork join executor config
diff --git a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/dispatch/FutureSpec.scala b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/dispatch/FutureSpec.scala
index e058218f2d..6163123632 100644
--- a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/dispatch/FutureSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/dispatch/FutureSpec.scala
@@ -860,7 +860,7 @@ class FutureSpec extends AkkaSpec with Checkers with BeforeAndAfterAll with Defa
 
         val l1, l2 = new TestLatch
         val complex = Future() map { _ ⇒
-          Future.blocking(system.dispatcher)
+          Future.blocking()
           val nested = Future(())
           nested foreach (_ ⇒ l1.open())
           Await.ready(l1, TestLatch.DefaultTimeout) // make sure nested is completed
diff --git a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/pattern/AskSpec.scala b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/pattern/AskSpec.scala
index ecb9690594..f3c36665e8 100644
--- a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/pattern/AskSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/pattern/AskSpec.scala
@@ -5,8 +5,9 @@ package akka.pattern
 
 import akka.testkit.AkkaSpec
 import akka.util.duration._
+import akka.testkit.DefaultTimeout
 
-class AskSpec extends AkkaSpec {
+class AskSpec extends AkkaSpec with DefaultTimeout {
 
   "The “ask” pattern" must {
 
@@ -22,7 +23,6 @@ class AskSpec extends AkkaSpec {
 
     "return broken promises on EmptyLocalActorRefs" in {
       val empty = system.actorFor("unknown")
-      implicit val timeout = system.settings.ActorTimeout
       val f = empty ? 3.14
       f.isCompleted must be(true)
       f.value.get match {
diff --git a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/routing/ResizerSpec.scala b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/routing/ResizerSpec.scala
index 863922491b..1f78c64edf 100644
--- a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/routing/ResizerSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/routing/ResizerSpec.scala
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import akka.util.duration._
 import akka.actor.ActorRef
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger
 import akka.pattern.ask
+import akka.util.Duration
 
 object ResizerSpec {
 
@@ -24,6 +25,9 @@ object ResizerSpec {
         }
       }
     }
+    bal-disp {
+      type = BalancingDispatcher
+    }
     """
 
   class TestActor extends Actor {
@@ -133,7 +137,7 @@ class ResizerSpec extends AkkaSpec(ResizerSpec.config) with DefaultTimeout with
         pressureThreshold = 0,
         messagesPerResize = 1)
 
-      val router = system.actorOf(Props[BusyActor].withRouter(RoundRobinRouter(resizer = Some(resizer))))
+      val router = system.actorOf(Props[BusyActor].withRouter(RoundRobinRouter(resizer = Some(resizer))).withDispatcher("bal-disp"))
 
       val latch1 = new TestLatch(1)
       router ! (latch1, busy)
@@ -157,53 +161,48 @@ class ResizerSpec extends AkkaSpec(ResizerSpec.config) with DefaultTimeout with
       // as influenced by the backlog of blocking pooled actors
 
       val resizer = DefaultResizer(
-        lowerBound = 2,
-        upperBound = 4,
+        lowerBound = 3,
+        upperBound = 5,
         rampupRate = 0.1,
+        backoffRate = 0.0,
         pressureThreshold = 1,
         messagesPerResize = 1,
         backoffThreshold = 0.0)
 
       val router = system.actorOf(Props(new Actor {
         def receive = {
-          case (n: Int, latch: TestLatch, count: AtomicInteger) ⇒
-            (n millis).dilated.sleep
-            count.incrementAndGet
-            latch.countDown()
+          case d: Duration ⇒ d.dilated.sleep; sender ! "done"
+          case "echo"      ⇒ sender ! "reply"
         }
       }).withRouter(RoundRobinRouter(resizer = Some(resizer))))
 
       // first message should create the minimum number of routees
-      router ! 1
+      router ! "echo"
+      expectMsg("reply")
 
-      Await.result(router ? CurrentRoutees, 5 seconds).asInstanceOf[RouterRoutees].routees.size must be(2)
+      def routees(r: ActorRef): Int = {
+        r ! CurrentRoutees
+        expectMsgType[RouterRoutees].routees.size
+      }
 
-      def loop(loops: Int, t: Int, latch: TestLatch, count: AtomicInteger) = {
-        (10 millis).dilated.sleep
-        for (m ← 0 until loops) {
-          router.!((t, latch, count))
-          (10 millis).dilated.sleep
-        }
+      routees(router) must be(3)
+
+      def loop(loops: Int, d: Duration) = {
+        for (m ← 0 until loops) router ! d
+        for (m ← 0 until loops) expectMsg(d * 3, "done")
       }
 
       // 2 more should go thru without triggering more
-      val count1 = new AtomicInteger
-      val latch1 = TestLatch(2)
-      loop(2, 200, latch1, count1)
-      Await.ready(latch1, TestLatch.DefaultTimeout)
-      count1.get must be(2)
+      loop(2, 200 millis)
 
-      Await.result(router ? CurrentRoutees, 5 seconds).asInstanceOf[RouterRoutees].routees.size must be(2)
+      routees(router) must be(3)
 
       // a whole bunch should max it out
-      val count2 = new AtomicInteger
-      val latch2 = TestLatch(10)
-      loop(10, 200, latch2, count2)
-      Await.ready(latch2, TestLatch.DefaultTimeout)
-      count2.get must be(10)
-
-      Await.result(router ? CurrentRoutees, 5 seconds).asInstanceOf[RouterRoutees].routees.size must be(4)
+      loop(10, 500 millis)
+      awaitCond(routees(router) > 3)
 
+      loop(10, 500 millis)
+      awaitCond(routees(router) == 5)
     }
 
     "backoff" in {
@@ -236,9 +235,9 @@ class ResizerSpec extends AkkaSpec(ResizerSpec.config) with DefaultTimeout with
       (300 millis).dilated.sleep
 
       // let it cool down
-      for (m ← 0 to 3) {
+      for (m ← 0 to 5) {
         router ! 1
-        (200 millis).dilated.sleep
+        (500 millis).dilated.sleep
       }
 
       Await.result(router ? CurrentRoutees, 5 seconds).asInstanceOf[RouterRoutees].routees.size must be < (z)
diff --git a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/routing/RoutingSpec.scala b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/routing/RoutingSpec.scala
index 9de51bdabf..ad3702d556 100644
--- a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/routing/RoutingSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/routing/RoutingSpec.scala
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigFactory
 import akka.pattern.ask
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap
 import com.typesafe.config.Config
+import akka.dispatch.Dispatchers
 
 object RoutingSpec {
 
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ object RoutingSpec {
         case (sender, message) ⇒ Nil
       }
     }
+    def routerDispatcher: String = Dispatchers.DefaultDispatcherId
   }
 
 }
@@ -539,6 +541,8 @@ class RoutingSpec extends AkkaSpec(RoutingSpec.config) with DefaultTimeout with
     //#crRouter
     case class VoteCountRouter() extends RouterConfig {
 
+      def routerDispatcher: String = Dispatchers.DefaultDispatcherId
+
       //#crRoute
       def createRoute(routeeProps: Props, routeeProvider: RouteeProvider): Route = {
         val democratActor = routeeProvider.context.actorOf(Props(new DemocratActor()), "d")
diff --git a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/serialization/SerializeSpec.scala b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/serialization/SerializeSpec.scala
index 2ca3581783..82cd6e0e06 100644
--- a/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/serialization/SerializeSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-actor-tests/src/test/scala/akka/serialization/SerializeSpec.scala
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class SerializeSpec extends AkkaSpec(SerializeSpec.config) {
         case Left(exception) ⇒ fail(exception)
         case Right(bytes)    ⇒ bytes
       }
-      deserialize(b.asInstanceOf[Array[Byte]], classOf[Address], None) match {
+      deserialize(b.asInstanceOf[Array[Byte]], classOf[Address]) match {
         case Left(exception) ⇒ fail(exception)
         case Right(add)      ⇒ assert(add === addr)
       }
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ class SerializeSpec extends AkkaSpec(SerializeSpec.config) {
         case Left(exception) ⇒ fail(exception)
         case Right(bytes)    ⇒ bytes
       }
-      deserialize(b.asInstanceOf[Array[Byte]], classOf[Person], None) match {
+      deserialize(b.asInstanceOf[Array[Byte]], classOf[Person]) match {
         case Left(exception) ⇒ fail(exception)
         case Right(p)        ⇒ assert(p === person)
       }
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ class SerializeSpec extends AkkaSpec(SerializeSpec.config) {
         case Left(exception) ⇒ fail(exception)
         case Right(bytes)    ⇒ bytes
       }
-      deserialize(b.asInstanceOf[Array[Byte]], classOf[Record], None) match {
+      deserialize(b.asInstanceOf[Array[Byte]], classOf[Record]) match {
         case Left(exception) ⇒ fail(exception)
         case Right(p)        ⇒ assert(p === r)
       }
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ class SerializeSpec extends AkkaSpec(SerializeSpec.config) {
         out.close()
 
         val in = new ObjectInputStream(new ByteArrayInputStream(outbuf.toByteArray))
-        Serialization.currentSystem.withValue(a.asInstanceOf[ActorSystemImpl]) {
+        JavaSerializer.currentSystem.withValue(a.asInstanceOf[ActorSystemImpl]) {
           val deadLetters = in.readObject().asInstanceOf[DeadLetterActorRef]
           (deadLetters eq a.deadLetters) must be(true)
         }
@@ -285,8 +285,5 @@ class TestSerializer extends Serializer {
     Array.empty[Byte]
   }
 
-  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], clazz: Option[Class[_]] = None,
-                 classLoader: Option[ClassLoader] = None): AnyRef = {
-    null
-  }
+  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], clazz: Option[Class[_]]): AnyRef = null
 }
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/Config.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/Config.java
index e820d1b369..febeece3e2 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/Config.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/Config.java
@@ -378,10 +378,11 @@ public interface Config extends ConfigMergeable {
     Object getAnyRef(String path);
 
     /**
-     * Gets the value at the given path, unless the value is a null value or
-     * missing, in which case it throws just like the other getters. Use
-     * {@code get()} from the {@link java.util.Map Map} interface if you want an
-     * unprocessed value.
+     * Gets the value at the given path, unless the value is a
+     * null value or missing, in which case it throws just like
+     * the other getters. Use {@code get()} on the {@link
+     * Config#root()} object (or other object in the tree) if you
+     * want an unprocessed value.
      *
      * @param path
      *            path expression
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/ConfigFactory.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/ConfigFactory.java
index bb3f0aa131..1b819ab4c5 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/ConfigFactory.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/ConfigFactory.java
@@ -161,8 +161,8 @@ public final class ConfigFactory {
      * used rather than the default
      * <code>application.{conf,json,properties}</code> classpath resources.
      * These system properties should not be set in code (after all, you can
-     * just parse whatever you want manually and then use {@link #load(Config)
-     * if you don't want to use <code>application.conf</code>}). The properties
+     * just parse whatever you want manually and then use {@link #load(Config)}
+     * if you don't want to use <code>application.conf</code>). The properties
      * are intended for use by the person or script launching the application.
      * For example someone might have a <code>production.conf</code> that
      * include <code>application.conf</code> but then change a couple of values.
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/AbstractConfigObject.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/AbstractConfigObject.java
index 1eb31c6397..6f9fd542ff 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/AbstractConfigObject.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/AbstractConfigObject.java
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigValueType;
 
 abstract class AbstractConfigObject extends AbstractConfigValue implements
         ConfigObject {
+
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     final private SimpleConfig config;
 
     protected AbstractConfigObject(ConfigOrigin origin) {
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/AbstractConfigValue.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/AbstractConfigValue.java
index 642fb7ae26..7eea5f0a8a 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/AbstractConfigValue.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/AbstractConfigValue.java
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigValue;
  */
 abstract class AbstractConfigValue implements ConfigValue, MergeableValue, Serializable {
 
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     final private SimpleConfigOrigin origin;
 
     AbstractConfigValue(ConfigOrigin origin) {
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigBoolean.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigBoolean.java
index a1a7677c78..5a5c0f8ffd 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigBoolean.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigBoolean.java
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigValueType;
 
 final class ConfigBoolean extends AbstractConfigValue {
 
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     final private boolean value;
 
     ConfigBoolean(ConfigOrigin origin, boolean value) {
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigDouble.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigDouble.java
index 65cfb5d966..8b99db9640 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigDouble.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigDouble.java
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigValueType;
 
 final class ConfigDouble extends ConfigNumber {
 
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     final private double value;
 
     ConfigDouble(ConfigOrigin origin, double value, String originalText) {
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigInt.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigInt.java
index d33bd21274..8ccb3f872a 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigInt.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigInt.java
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigValueType;
 
 final class ConfigInt extends ConfigNumber {
 
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     final private int value;
 
     ConfigInt(ConfigOrigin origin, int value, String originalText) {
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigLong.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigLong.java
index a2e2ab3228..6e1a5073fb 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigLong.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigLong.java
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigValueType;
 
 final class ConfigLong extends ConfigNumber {
 
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     final private long value;
 
     ConfigLong(ConfigOrigin origin, long value, String originalText) {
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigNull.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigNull.java
index 91b8586674..1dcd32b5b0 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigNull.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigNull.java
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigValueType;
  */
 final class ConfigNull extends AbstractConfigValue {
 
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     ConfigNull(ConfigOrigin origin) {
         super(origin);
     }
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigNumber.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigNumber.java
index d2f4bb6ac4..8f6996d77b 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigNumber.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigNumber.java
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigException;
 import com.typesafe.config.ConfigOrigin;
 
 abstract class ConfigNumber extends AbstractConfigValue {
+
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     // This is so when we concatenate a number into a string (say it appears in
     // a sentence) we always have it exactly as the person typed it into the
     // config file. It's purely cosmetic; equals/hashCode don't consider this
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigString.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigString.java
index f5293c8fc7..4bdce3b129 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigString.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigString.java
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigValueType;
 
 final class ConfigString extends AbstractConfigValue {
 
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     final private String value;
 
     ConfigString(ConfigOrigin origin, String value) {
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/Path.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/Path.java
index cb0d5a423b..fbbe1e0874 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/Path.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/Path.java
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigException;
 
 final class Path implements Serializable {
 
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     final private String first;
     final private Path remainder;
 
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SimpleConfig.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SimpleConfig.java
index fdcf540816..daa9f4c368 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SimpleConfig.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SimpleConfig.java
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigValueType;
  */
 final class SimpleConfig implements Config, MergeableValue, Serializable {
 
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     final private AbstractConfigObject object;
 
     SimpleConfig(AbstractConfigObject object) {
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SimpleConfigObject.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SimpleConfigObject.java
index c961ae6b34..c4b8cf461a 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SimpleConfigObject.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SimpleConfigObject.java
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigValue;
 
 final class SimpleConfigObject extends AbstractConfigObject {
 
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     // this map should never be modified - assume immutable
     final private Map<String, AbstractConfigValue> value;
     final private boolean resolved;
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SimpleConfigOrigin.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SimpleConfigOrigin.java
index 962788dcc4..23351c1e8e 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SimpleConfigOrigin.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SimpleConfigOrigin.java
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ import com.typesafe.config.ConfigOrigin;
 // it would be cleaner to have a class hierarchy for various origin types,
 // but was hoping this would be enough simpler to be a little messy. eh.
 final class SimpleConfigOrigin implements ConfigOrigin, Serializable {
+
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     final private String description;
     final private int lineNumber;
     final private int endLineNumber;
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SubstitutionExpression.java b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SubstitutionExpression.java
index 95e121e8b0..be67073a1d 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SubstitutionExpression.java
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/SubstitutionExpression.java
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import java.io.Serializable;
 
 final class SubstitutionExpression implements Serializable {
 
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
     final private Path path;
     final private boolean optional;
 
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/resources/reference.conf b/akka-actor/src/main/resources/reference.conf
index bc52938a7d..8240aee4d7 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/resources/reference.conf
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/resources/reference.conf
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-##############################
-# Akka Reference Config File #
-##############################
+####################################
+# Akka Actor Reference Config File #
+####################################
 
 # This the reference config file has all the default settings.
 # Make your edits/overrides in your application.conf.
@@ -50,12 +50,6 @@ akka {
     # removed from their parents
     reaper-interval = 5s
 
-    # Default timeout for Future based invocations
-    #    - Actor:        ask && ?
-    #    - UntypedActor: ask
-    #    - TypedActor:   methods with non-void return type
-    timeout = 5s
-
     # Serializes and deserializes (non-primitive) messages to ensure immutability,
     # this is only intended for testing.
     serialize-messages = off
@@ -64,6 +58,11 @@ akka {
     # this is only intended for testing.
     serialize-creators = off
 
+    typed {
+      # Default timeout for typed actor methods with non-void return type
+      timeout = 5s
+    }
+
     deployment {
 
       # deployment id pattern - on the format: /parent/child etc.
@@ -246,6 +245,11 @@ akka {
       # mailbox is used. The Class of the FQCN must have a constructor with a
       # com.typesafe.config.Config parameter.
       mailbox-type = ""
+
+      # For BalancingDispatcher: If the balancing dispatcher should attempt to
+      # schedule idle actors using the same dispatcher when a message comes in,
+      # and the dispatchers ExecutorService is not fully busy already.
+      attempt-teamwork = on
     }
 
     debug {
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/AkkaException.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/AkkaException.scala
index 2abd10c270..85de2504d3 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/AkkaException.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/AkkaException.scala
@@ -5,10 +5,8 @@
 package akka
 
 import akka.actor.newUuid
-import java.net.{ InetAddress, UnknownHostException }
 
 object AkkaException {
-  val hostname = try InetAddress.getLocalHost.getHostAddress catch { case e: UnknownHostException ⇒ "unknown host" }
 
   def toStringWithStackTrace(throwable: Throwable): String = throwable match {
     case null              ⇒ "Unknown Throwable: was 'null'"
@@ -36,7 +34,7 @@ object AkkaException {
  */
 //TODO add @SerialVersionUID(1L) when SI-4804 is fixed
 class AkkaException(message: String = "", cause: Throwable = null) extends RuntimeException(message, cause) with Serializable {
-  val uuid = "%s_%s".format(AkkaException.hostname, newUuid)
+  lazy val uuid = newUuid.toString
 
   override lazy val toString =
     "%s:%s\n[%s]".format(getClass.getName, message, uuid)
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorCell.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorCell.scala
index 2b56bef5d1..a5331e9f49 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorCell.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorCell.scala
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ private[akka] class ActorCell(
       val ser = SerializationExtension(system)
       ser.serialize(props.creator) match {
         case Left(t) ⇒ throw t
-        case Right(bytes) ⇒ ser.deserialize(bytes, props.creator.getClass, None) match {
+        case Right(bytes) ⇒ ser.deserialize(bytes, props.creator.getClass) match {
           case Left(t) ⇒ throw t
           case _       ⇒ //All good
         }
@@ -285,14 +285,18 @@ private[akka] class ActorCell(
   final def isTerminated: Boolean = mailbox.isClosed
 
   final def start(): Unit = {
+    /*
+     * Create the mailbox and enqueue the Create() message to ensure that 
+     * this is processed before anything else.
+     */
     mailbox = dispatcher.createMailbox(this)
+    // ➡➡➡ NEVER SEND THE SAME SYSTEM MESSAGE OBJECT TO TWO ACTORS ⬅⬅⬅
+    mailbox.systemEnqueue(self, Create())
 
     // ➡➡➡ NEVER SEND THE SAME SYSTEM MESSAGE OBJECT TO TWO ACTORS ⬅⬅⬅
     parent.sendSystemMessage(akka.dispatch.Supervise(self))
 
-    // ➡➡➡ NEVER SEND THE SAME SYSTEM MESSAGE OBJECT TO TWO ACTORS ⬅⬅⬅
-    dispatcher.systemDispatch(this, Create())
-
+    // This call is expected to start off the actor by scheduling its mailbox.
     dispatcher.attach(this)
   }
 
@@ -384,8 +388,6 @@ private[akka] class ActorCell(
           failedActor.preRestart(cause, if (c ne null) Some(c.message) else None)
         } finally {
           clearActorFields()
-          currentMessage = null
-          actor = null
         }
       }
       actor = freshActor // assign it here so if preStart fails, we can null out the sef-refs next call
@@ -493,7 +495,7 @@ private[akka] class ActorCell(
             dispatcher.reportFailure(new LogEventException(Error(e, self.path.toString, clazz(actor), e.getMessage), e))
             // prevent any further messages to be processed until the actor has been restarted
             dispatcher.suspend(this)
-            actor.supervisorStrategy.handleSupervisorFailing(self, children)
+            if (actor ne null) actor.supervisorStrategy.handleSupervisorFailing(self, children)
             parent.tell(Failed(e), self)
         } finally {
           checkReceiveTimeout // Reschedule receive timeout
@@ -555,9 +557,8 @@ private[akka] class ActorCell(
         if (system.settings.DebugLifecycle)
           system.eventStream.publish(Debug(self.path.toString, clazz(actor), "stopped")) // FIXME: can actor be null?
       } finally {
-        currentMessage = null
-        clearActorFields()
         if (a ne null) a.clearBehaviorStack()
+        clearActorFields()
       }
     }
   }
@@ -597,7 +598,11 @@ private[akka] class ActorCell(
     }
   }
 
-  final def clearActorFields(): Unit = setActorFields(context = null, self = system.deadLetters)
+  final def clearActorFields(): Unit = {
+    setActorFields(context = null, self = system.deadLetters)
+    currentMessage = null
+    actor = null
+  }
 
   final def setActorFields(context: ActorContext, self: ActorRef) {
     @tailrec
@@ -625,8 +630,5 @@ private[akka] class ActorCell(
     }
   }
 
-  private def clazz(o: AnyRef): Class[_] = {
-    if (o eq null) this.getClass
-    else o.getClass
-  }
+  private final def clazz(o: AnyRef): Class[_] = if (o eq null) this.getClass else o.getClass
 }
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorRef.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorRef.scala
index 7485d8b11c..bd2c0cf196 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorRef.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorRef.scala
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import akka.dispatch._
 import akka.util._
 import scala.collection.immutable.Stack
 import java.lang.{ UnsupportedOperationException, IllegalStateException }
-import akka.serialization.Serialization
+import akka.serialization.{ Serialization, JavaSerializer }
 import akka.event.EventStream
 import scala.annotation.tailrec
 import java.util.concurrent.{ ConcurrentHashMap }
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ private[akka] class LocalActorRef private[akka] (
  */
 //TODO add @SerialVersionUID(1L) when SI-4804 is fixed
 case class SerializedActorRef private (path: String) {
-  import akka.serialization.Serialization.currentSystem
+  import akka.serialization.JavaSerializer.currentSystem
 
   @throws(classOf[java.io.ObjectStreamException])
   def readResolve(): AnyRef = currentSystem.value match {
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@ private[akka] object DeadLetterActorRef {
   //TODO add @SerialVersionUID(1L) when SI-4804 is fixed
   class SerializedDeadLetterActorRef extends Serializable { //TODO implement as Protobuf for performance?
     @throws(classOf[java.io.ObjectStreamException])
-    private def readResolve(): AnyRef = Serialization.currentSystem.value.deadLetters
+    private def readResolve(): AnyRef = JavaSerializer.currentSystem.value.deadLetters
   }
 
   val serialized = new SerializedDeadLetterActorRef
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorRefProvider.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorRefProvider.scala
index 688c036380..a176c6271d 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorRefProvider.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorRefProvider.scala
@@ -318,12 +318,12 @@ class LocalActorRefProvider(
            settings: ActorSystem.Settings,
            eventStream: EventStream,
            scheduler: Scheduler,
-           classloader: ClassLoader) =
+           dynamicAccess: DynamicAccess) =
     this(_systemName,
       settings,
       eventStream,
       scheduler,
-      new Deployer(settings, classloader))
+      new Deployer(settings, dynamicAccess))
 
   val rootPath: ActorPath = RootActorPath(Address("akka", _systemName))
 
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorSystem.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorSystem.scala
index 98ac6897e1..76eea494ca 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorSystem.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorSystem.scala
@@ -70,7 +70,6 @@ object ActorSystem {
 
     final val CreationTimeout = Timeout(Duration(getMilliseconds("akka.actor.creation-timeout"), MILLISECONDS))
     final val ReaperInterval = Duration(getMilliseconds("akka.actor.reaper-interval"), MILLISECONDS)
-    final val ActorTimeout = Timeout(Duration(getMilliseconds("akka.actor.timeout"), MILLISECONDS))
     final val SerializeAllMessages = getBoolean("akka.actor.serialize-messages")
     final val SerializeAllCreators = getBoolean("akka.actor.serialize-creators")
 
@@ -325,16 +324,16 @@ abstract class ExtendedActorSystem extends ActorSystem {
   def deathWatch: DeathWatch
 
   /**
-   * ClassLoader which is used for reflective accesses internally. This is set
-   * to the context class loader, if one is set, or the class loader which
+   * ClassLoader wrapper which is used for reflective accesses internally. This is set
+   * to use the context class loader, if one is set, or the class loader which
    * loaded the ActorSystem implementation. The context class loader is also
    * set on all threads created by the ActorSystem, if one was set during
    * creation.
    */
-  def internalClassLoader: ClassLoader
+  def dynamicAccess: DynamicAccess
 }
 
-class ActorSystemImpl(val name: String, applicationConfig: Config) extends ExtendedActorSystem {
+class ActorSystemImpl protected[akka] (val name: String, applicationConfig: Config) extends ExtendedActorSystem {
 
   if (!name.matches("""^\w+$"""))
     throw new IllegalArgumentException("invalid ActorSystem name [" + name + "], must contain only word characters (i.e. [a-zA-Z_0-9])")
@@ -358,6 +357,35 @@ class ActorSystemImpl(val name: String, applicationConfig: Config) extends Exten
   final val threadFactory: MonitorableThreadFactory =
     MonitorableThreadFactory(name, settings.Daemonicity, Option(Thread.currentThread.getContextClassLoader), uncaughtExceptionHandler)
 
+  /**
+   * This is an extension point: by overriding this method, subclasses can
+   * control all reflection activities of an actor system.
+   */
+  protected def createDynamicAccess(): DynamicAccess = new ReflectiveDynamicAccess(findClassLoader)
+
+  protected def findClassLoader: ClassLoader = {
+    def findCaller(get: Int ⇒ Class[_]): ClassLoader = {
+      val frames = Iterator.from(2).map(get)
+      frames dropWhile { c ⇒
+        c != null &&
+          (c.getName.startsWith("akka.actor.ActorSystem") ||
+            c.getName.startsWith("scala.Option") ||
+            c.getName.startsWith("scala.collection.Iterator") ||
+            c.getName.startsWith("akka.util.Reflect"))
+      } next () match {
+        case null ⇒ getClass.getClassLoader
+        case c    ⇒ c.getClassLoader
+      }
+    }
+
+    Option(Thread.currentThread.getContextClassLoader) orElse
+      (Reflect.getCallerClass map findCaller) getOrElse
+      getClass.getClassLoader
+  }
+
+  private val _pm: DynamicAccess = createDynamicAccess()
+  def dynamicAccess: DynamicAccess = _pm
+
   def logConfiguration(): Unit = log.info(settings.toString)
 
   protected def systemImpl = this
@@ -408,17 +436,15 @@ class ActorSystemImpl(val name: String, applicationConfig: Config) extends Exten
 
   val scheduler: Scheduler = createScheduler()
 
-  val internalClassLoader = Option(Thread.currentThread.getContextClassLoader) getOrElse getClass.getClassLoader
-
   val provider: ActorRefProvider = {
     val arguments = Seq(
       classOf[String] -> name,
       classOf[Settings] -> settings,
       classOf[EventStream] -> eventStream,
       classOf[Scheduler] -> scheduler,
-      classOf[ClassLoader] -> internalClassLoader)
+      classOf[DynamicAccess] -> dynamicAccess)
 
-    ReflectiveAccess.createInstance[ActorRefProvider](ProviderClass, arguments, internalClassLoader) match {
+    dynamicAccess.createInstanceFor[ActorRefProvider](ProviderClass, arguments) match {
       case Left(e)  ⇒ throw e
       case Right(p) ⇒ p
     }
@@ -440,7 +466,7 @@ class ActorSystemImpl(val name: String, applicationConfig: Config) extends Exten
   def locker: Locker = provider.locker
 
   val dispatchers: Dispatchers = new Dispatchers(settings, DefaultDispatcherPrerequisites(
-    threadFactory, eventStream, deadLetterMailbox, scheduler, internalClassLoader))
+    threadFactory, eventStream, deadLetterMailbox, scheduler, dynamicAccess))
 
   val dispatcher: MessageDispatcher = dispatchers.defaultGlobalDispatcher
 
@@ -559,8 +585,7 @@ class ActorSystemImpl(val name: String, applicationConfig: Config) extends Exten
   private def loadExtensions() {
     import scala.collection.JavaConversions._
     settings.config.getStringList("akka.extensions") foreach { fqcn ⇒
-      import ReflectiveAccess.{ getObjectFor, createInstance, noParams, noArgs }
-      getObjectFor[AnyRef](fqcn, internalClassLoader).fold(_ ⇒ createInstance[AnyRef](fqcn, noParams, noArgs), Right(_)) match {
+      dynamicAccess.getObjectFor[AnyRef](fqcn).fold(_ ⇒ dynamicAccess.createInstanceFor[AnyRef](fqcn, Seq()), Right(_)) match {
         case Right(p: ExtensionIdProvider) ⇒ registerExtension(p.lookup());
         case Right(p: ExtensionId[_])      ⇒ registerExtension(p);
         case Right(other)                  ⇒ log.error("[{}] is not an 'ExtensionIdProvider' or 'ExtensionId', skipping...", fqcn)
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/Address.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/Address.scala
index d182a0e3b4..e5335bcac1 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/Address.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/Address.scala
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import java.net.MalformedURLException
  * for example a remote transport would want to associate additional
  * information with an address, then this must be done externally.
  */
-final case class Address(protocol: String, system: String, host: Option[String], port: Option[Int]) {
+final case class Address private (protocol: String, system: String, host: Option[String], port: Option[Int]) {
 
   def this(protocol: String, system: String) = this(protocol, system, None, None)
   def this(protocol: String, system: String, host: String, port: Int) = this(protocol, system, Option(host), Some(port))
@@ -62,20 +62,26 @@ object RelativeActorPath {
  * This object serves as extractor for Scala and as address parser for Java.
  */
 object AddressExtractor {
-  def unapply(addr: String): Option[Address] = {
+  def unapply(addr: String): Option[Address] =
     try {
       val uri = new URI(addr)
-      if (uri.getScheme == null || (uri.getUserInfo == null && uri.getHost == null)) None
-      else {
-        val addr = Address(uri.getScheme, if (uri.getUserInfo != null) uri.getUserInfo else uri.getHost,
-          if (uri.getUserInfo == null || uri.getHost == null) None else Some(uri.getHost),
-          if (uri.getPort < 0) None else Some(uri.getPort))
-        Some(addr)
-      }
+      unapply(uri)
     } catch {
       case _: URISyntaxException ⇒ None
     }
-  }
+
+  def unapply(uri: URI): Option[Address] =
+    if (uri eq null) None
+    else if (uri.getScheme == null || (uri.getUserInfo == null && uri.getHost == null)) None
+    else if (uri.getUserInfo == null) { // case 1: “akka://system”
+      if (uri.getPort != -1) None
+      else Some(Address(uri.getScheme, uri.getHost))
+    } else { // case 2: “akka://system@host:port”
+      if (uri.getHost == null || uri.getPort == -1) None
+      else Some(
+        if (uri.getUserInfo == null) Address(uri.getScheme, uri.getHost)
+        else Address(uri.getScheme, uri.getUserInfo, uri.getHost, uri.getPort))
+    }
 
   /**
    * Try to construct an Address from the given String or throw a java.net.MalformedURLException.
@@ -92,18 +98,15 @@ object AddressExtractor {
 }
 
 object ActorPathExtractor {
-  def unapply(addr: String): Option[(Address, Iterable[String])] = {
+  def unapply(addr: String): Option[(Address, Iterable[String])] =
     try {
       val uri = new URI(addr)
-      if (uri.getScheme == null || (uri.getUserInfo == null && uri.getHost == null) || uri.getPath == null) None
-      else {
-        val addr = Address(uri.getScheme, if (uri.getUserInfo != null) uri.getUserInfo else uri.getHost,
-          if (uri.getUserInfo == null || uri.getHost == null) None else Some(uri.getHost),
-          if (uri.getPort < 0) None else Some(uri.getPort))
-        Some((addr, ActorPath.split(uri.getPath).drop(1)))
+      if (uri.getPath == null) None
+      else AddressExtractor.unapply(uri) match {
+        case None       ⇒ None
+        case Some(addr) ⇒ Some((addr, ActorPath.split(uri.getPath).drop(1)))
       }
     } catch {
       case _: URISyntaxException ⇒ None
     }
-  }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/Deployer.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/Deployer.scala
index 3da1a7ca35..cc6db0bbda 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/Deployer.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/Deployer.scala
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import akka.util.Duration
 import com.typesafe.config._
 import akka.routing._
 import java.util.concurrent.{ TimeUnit, ConcurrentHashMap }
-import akka.util.ReflectiveAccess
 
 /**
  * This class represents deployment configuration for a given actor path. It is
@@ -86,7 +85,7 @@ case object NoScopeGiven extends Scope {
  *
  * @author <a href="http://jonasboner.com">Jonas Bon&#233;r</a>
  */
-class Deployer(val settings: ActorSystem.Settings, val classloader: ClassLoader) {
+class Deployer(val settings: ActorSystem.Settings, val dynamicAccess: DynamicAccess) {
 
   import scala.collection.JavaConverters._
 
@@ -128,7 +127,7 @@ class Deployer(val settings: ActorSystem.Settings, val classloader: ClassLoader)
       case "broadcast"        ⇒ BroadcastRouter(nrOfInstances, routees, resizer)
       case fqn ⇒
         val args = Seq(classOf[Config] -> deployment)
-        ReflectiveAccess.createInstance[RouterConfig](fqn, args, classloader) match {
+        dynamicAccess.createInstanceFor[RouterConfig](fqn, args) match {
           case Right(router) ⇒ router
           case Left(exception) ⇒
             throw new IllegalArgumentException(
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/DynamicAccess.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/DynamicAccess.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8d3ac68852
--- /dev/null
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/DynamicAccess.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+/**
+ *  Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Typesafe Inc. <http://www.typesafe.com>
+ */
+package akka.actor
+
+import akka.util.NonFatal
+import java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException
+
+/**
+ * The DynamicAccess implementation is the class which is used for
+ * loading all configurable parts of an actor system (the
+ * [[akka.actor.ReflectiveDynamicAccess]] is the default implementation).
+ *
+ * This is an internal facility and users are not expected to encounter it
+ * unless they are extending Akka in ways which go beyond simple Extensions.
+ */
+trait DynamicAccess {
+
+  /**
+   * Convenience method which given a `Class[_]` object and a constructor description
+   * will create a new instance of that class.
+   *
+   * {{{
+   * val obj = DynamicAccess.createInstanceFor(clazz, Seq(classOf[Config] -> config, classOf[String] -> name))
+   * }}}
+   */
+  def createInstanceFor[T: ClassManifest](clazz: Class[_], args: Seq[(Class[_], AnyRef)]): Either[Throwable, T] = {
+    val types = args.map(_._1).toArray
+    val values = args.map(_._2).toArray
+    withErrorHandling {
+      val constructor = clazz.getDeclaredConstructor(types: _*)
+      constructor.setAccessible(true)
+      val obj = constructor.newInstance(values: _*).asInstanceOf[T]
+      val t = classManifest[T].erasure
+      if (t.isInstance(obj)) Right(obj) else Left(new ClassCastException(clazz + " is not a subtype of " + t))
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Obtain a `Class[_]` object loaded with the right class loader (i.e. the one
+   * returned by `classLoader`).
+   */
+  def getClassFor[T: ClassManifest](fqcn: String): Either[Throwable, Class[_ <: T]]
+
+  /**
+   * Obtain an object conforming to the type T, which is expected to be
+   * instantiated from a class designated by the fully-qualified class name
+   * given, where the constructor is selected and invoked according to the
+   * `args` argument. The exact usage of args depends on which type is requested,
+   * see the relevant requesting code for details.
+   */
+  def createInstanceFor[T: ClassManifest](fqcn: String, args: Seq[(Class[_], AnyRef)]): Either[Throwable, T]
+
+  /**
+   * Obtain the Scala “object” instance for the given fully-qualified class name, if there is one.
+   */
+  def getObjectFor[T: ClassManifest](fqcn: String): Either[Throwable, T]
+
+  /**
+   * This is the class loader to be used in those special cases where the
+   * other factory method are not applicable (e.g. when constructing a ClassLoaderBinaryInputStream).
+   */
+  def classLoader: ClassLoader
+
+  /**
+   * Caught exception is returned as Left(exception).
+   * Unwraps `InvocationTargetException` if its getTargetException is an `Exception`.
+   * Other `Throwable`, such as `Error` is thrown.
+   */
+  @inline
+  final def withErrorHandling[T](body: ⇒ Either[Throwable, T]): Either[Throwable, T] =
+    try body catch {
+      case e: InvocationTargetException ⇒
+        e.getTargetException match {
+          case NonFatal(t) ⇒ Left(t)
+          case t           ⇒ throw t
+        }
+      case NonFatal(e) ⇒ Left(e)
+    }
+
+}
+
+/**
+ * This is the default [[akka.actor.DynamicAccess]] implementation used by [[akka.actor.ActorSystemImpl]]
+ * unless overridden. It uses reflection to turn fully-qualified class names into `Class[_]` objects
+ * and creates instances from there using `getDeclaredConstructor()` and invoking that. The class loader
+ * to be used for all this is determined by the [[akka.actor.ActorSystemImpl]]’s `findClassLoader` method
+ * by default.
+ */
+class ReflectiveDynamicAccess(val classLoader: ClassLoader) extends DynamicAccess {
+
+  override def getClassFor[T: ClassManifest](fqcn: String): Either[Throwable, Class[_ <: T]] =
+    try {
+      val c = classLoader.loadClass(fqcn).asInstanceOf[Class[_ <: T]]
+      val t = classManifest[T].erasure
+      if (t.isAssignableFrom(c)) Right(c) else Left(new ClassCastException(t + " is not assignable from " + c))
+    } catch {
+      case NonFatal(e) ⇒ Left(e)
+    }
+
+  override def createInstanceFor[T: ClassManifest](fqcn: String, args: Seq[(Class[_], AnyRef)]): Either[Throwable, T] =
+    getClassFor(fqcn).fold(Left(_), { c ⇒
+      val types = args.map(_._1).toArray
+      val values = args.map(_._2).toArray
+      withErrorHandling {
+        val constructor = c.getDeclaredConstructor(types: _*)
+        constructor.setAccessible(true)
+        val obj = constructor.newInstance(values: _*)
+        val t = classManifest[T].erasure
+        if (t.isInstance(obj)) Right(obj) else Left(new ClassCastException(fqcn + " is not a subtype of " + t))
+      }
+    })
+
+  override def getObjectFor[T: ClassManifest](fqcn: String): Either[Throwable, T] = {
+    getClassFor(fqcn).fold(Left(_), { c ⇒
+      withErrorHandling {
+        val module = c.getDeclaredField("MODULE$")
+        module.setAccessible(true)
+        val t = classManifest[T].erasure
+        module.get(null) match {
+          case null                  ⇒ Left(new NullPointerException)
+          case x if !t.isInstance(x) ⇒ Left(new ClassCastException(fqcn + " is not a subtype of " + t))
+          case x                     ⇒ Right(x.asInstanceOf[T])
+        }
+      }
+    })
+  }
+
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/Extension.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/Extension.scala
index 547257e850..3adad6fd4b 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/Extension.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/Extension.scala
@@ -3,8 +3,6 @@
  */
 package akka.actor
 
-import akka.util.ReflectiveAccess
-
 /**
  * The basic ActorSystem covers all that is needed for locally running actors,
  * using futures and so on. In addition, more features can hook into it and
@@ -73,12 +71,12 @@ trait ExtensionIdProvider {
 
 /**
  * This is a one-stop-shop if all you want is an extension which is
- * constructed with the ActorSystemImpl as its only constructor argument:
+ * constructed with the ExtendedActorSystem as its only constructor argument:
  *
  * {{{
  * object MyExt extends ExtensionKey[Ext]
  *
- * class Ext(system: ActorSystemImpl) extends MyExt {
+ * class Ext(system: ExtendedActorSystem) extends MyExt {
  *   ...
  * }
  * }}}
@@ -89,7 +87,7 @@ trait ExtensionIdProvider {
  * public class MyExt extends Extension {
  *   static final ExtensionKey<MyExt> key = new ExtensionKey<MyExt>(MyExt.class);
  *
- *   public MyExt(ActorSystemImpl system) {
+ *   public MyExt(ExtendedActorSystem system) {
  *     ...
  *   }
  * }}}
@@ -99,7 +97,7 @@ abstract class ExtensionKey[T <: Extension](implicit m: ClassManifest[T]) extend
 
   override def lookup(): ExtensionId[T] = this
   def createExtension(system: ExtendedActorSystem): T =
-    ReflectiveAccess.createInstance[T](m.erasure, Array[Class[_]](classOf[ActorSystemImpl]), Array[AnyRef](system)) match {
+    system.dynamicAccess.createInstanceFor[T](m.erasure, Seq(classOf[ExtendedActorSystem] -> system)) match {
       case Left(ex) ⇒ throw ex
       case Right(r) ⇒ r
     }
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/TypedActor.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/TypedActor.scala
index d86dc7dca4..3d1e0c76f3 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/TypedActor.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/TypedActor.scala
@@ -11,7 +11,9 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.{ AtomicReference ⇒ AtomVar }
 import akka.serialization.{ Serialization, SerializationExtension }
 import akka.dispatch._
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeoutException
+import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS
 import java.lang.IllegalStateException
+import akka.util.Duration
 
 trait TypedActorFactory {
 
@@ -129,7 +131,8 @@ object TypedActor extends ExtensionId[TypedActorExtension] with ExtensionIdProvi
         val serializedParameters = Array.ofDim[(Int, Class[_], Array[Byte])](ps.length)
         for (i ← 0 until ps.length) {
           val p = ps(i)
-          val s = SerializationExtension(Serialization.currentSystem.value).findSerializerFor(p)
+          val system = akka.serialization.JavaSerializer.currentSystem.value
+          val s = SerializationExtension(system).findSerializerFor(p)
           val m = if (s.includeManifest) p.getClass else null
           serializedParameters(i) = (s.identifier, m, s toBinary parameters(i)) //Mutable for the sake of sanity
         }
@@ -146,7 +149,7 @@ object TypedActor extends ExtensionId[TypedActorExtension] with ExtensionIdProvi
     //TODO implement writeObject and readObject to serialize
     //TODO Possible optimization is to special encode the parameter-types to conserve space
     private def readResolve(): AnyRef = {
-      val system = akka.serialization.Serialization.currentSystem.value
+      val system = akka.serialization.JavaSerializer.currentSystem.value
       if (system eq null) throw new IllegalStateException(
         "Trying to deserialize a SerializedMethodCall without an ActorSystem in scope." +
           " Use akka.serialization.Serialization.currentSystem.withValue(system) { ... }")
@@ -158,7 +161,8 @@ object TypedActor extends ExtensionId[TypedActorExtension] with ExtensionIdProvi
           val deserializedParameters: Array[AnyRef] = Array.ofDim[AnyRef](a.length) //Mutable for the sake of sanity
           for (i ← 0 until a.length) {
             val (sId, manifest, bytes) = a(i)
-            deserializedParameters(i) = serialization.serializerByIdentity(sId).fromBinary(bytes, Option(manifest))
+            deserializedParameters(i) =
+              serialization.serializerByIdentity(sId).fromBinary(bytes, Option(manifest))
           }
 
           deserializedParameters
@@ -500,7 +504,7 @@ case class TypedProps[T <: AnyRef] protected[TypedProps] (
 
   /**
    * @return a new TypedProps that will use the specified Timeout for its non-void-returning methods,
-   * if null is specified, it will use the default ActorTimeout as specified in the configuration.
+   * if null is specified, it will use the default timeout as specified in the configuration.
    *
    * Java API
    */
@@ -508,7 +512,7 @@ case class TypedProps[T <: AnyRef] protected[TypedProps] (
 
   /**
    * @return a new TypedProps that will use the specified Timeout for its non-void-returning methods,
-   * if None is specified, it will use the default ActorTimeout as specified in the configuration.
+   * if None is specified, it will use the default timeout as specified in the configuration.
    *
    * Scala API
    */
@@ -548,6 +552,11 @@ class TypedActorExtension(system: ExtendedActorSystem) extends TypedActorFactory
   val serialization = SerializationExtension(system)
   val settings = system.settings
 
+  /**
+   * Default timeout for typed actor methods with non-void return type
+   */
+  final val DefaultReturnTimeout = Timeout(Duration(settings.config.getMilliseconds("akka.actor.typed.timeout"), MILLISECONDS))
+
   /**
    * Retrieves the underlying ActorRef for the supplied TypedActor proxy, or null if none found
    */
@@ -573,7 +582,7 @@ class TypedActorExtension(system: ExtendedActorSystem) extends TypedActorFactory
       new TypedActorInvocationHandler(
         this,
         actorVar,
-        if (props.timeout.isDefined) props.timeout.get else this.settings.ActorTimeout)).asInstanceOf[R]
+        if (props.timeout.isDefined) props.timeout.get else DefaultReturnTimeout)).asInstanceOf[R]
 
     proxyVar match {
       case null ⇒
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/AbstractDispatcher.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/AbstractDispatcher.scala
index 75ffe376ee..6046e249af 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/AbstractDispatcher.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/AbstractDispatcher.scala
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import akka.actor.ActorSystem
 import scala.annotation.tailrec
 import akka.event.EventStream
 import com.typesafe.config.Config
-import akka.util.ReflectiveAccess
 import akka.serialization.SerializationExtension
 import akka.util.NonFatal
 import akka.event.Logging.LogEventException
@@ -26,7 +25,7 @@ final case class Envelope(val message: Any, val sender: ActorRef)(system: ActorS
       val ser = SerializationExtension(system)
       ser.serialize(msg) match { //Verify serializability
         case Left(t) ⇒ throw t
-        case Right(bytes) ⇒ ser.deserialize(bytes, msg.getClass, None) match { //Verify deserializability
+        case Right(bytes) ⇒ ser.deserialize(bytes, msg.getClass) match { //Verify deserializability
           case Left(t) ⇒ throw t
           case _       ⇒ //All good
         }
@@ -157,7 +156,10 @@ trait ExecutionContext {
    * log the problem or whatever is appropriate for the implementation.
    */
   def reportFailure(t: Throwable): Unit
+}
 
+private[akka] trait LoadMetrics { self: Executor ⇒
+  def atFullThrottle(): Boolean
 }
 
 object MessageDispatcher {
@@ -186,9 +188,14 @@ abstract class MessageDispatcher(val prerequisites: DispatcherPrerequisites) ext
   def id: String
 
   /**
-   * Attaches the specified actor instance to this dispatcher
+   * Attaches the specified actor instance to this dispatcher, which includes
+   * scheduling it to run for the first time (Create() is expected to have
+   * been enqueued by the ActorCell upon mailbox creation).
    */
-  final def attach(actor: ActorCell): Unit = register(actor)
+  final def attach(actor: ActorCell): Unit = {
+    register(actor)
+    registerForExecution(actor.mailbox, false, true)
+  }
 
   /**
    * Detaches the specified actor instance from this dispatcher
@@ -244,7 +251,7 @@ abstract class MessageDispatcher(val prerequisites: DispatcherPrerequisites) ext
     () ⇒ if (inhabitantsUpdater.decrementAndGet(this) == 0) ifSensibleToDoSoThenScheduleShutdown()
 
   /**
-   * If you override it, you must call it. But only ever once. See "attach" for only invocation
+   * If you override it, you must call it. But only ever once. See "attach" for only invocation.
    */
   protected[akka] def register(actor: ActorCell) {
     inhabitantsUpdater.incrementAndGet(this)
@@ -261,6 +268,8 @@ abstract class MessageDispatcher(val prerequisites: DispatcherPrerequisites) ext
     mailBox.cleanUp()
   }
 
+  def inhabitants: Long = inhabitantsUpdater.get(this)
+
   private val shutdownAction = new Runnable {
     @tailrec
     final def run() {
@@ -369,7 +378,7 @@ abstract class MessageDispatcherConfigurator(val config: Config, val prerequisit
         }
       case fqcn ⇒
         val args = Seq(classOf[Config] -> config)
-        ReflectiveAccess.createInstance[MailboxType](fqcn, args, prerequisites.classloader) match {
+        prerequisites.dynamicAccess.createInstanceFor[MailboxType](fqcn, args) match {
           case Right(instance) ⇒ instance
           case Left(exception) ⇒
             throw new IllegalArgumentException(
@@ -385,8 +394,10 @@ abstract class MessageDispatcherConfigurator(val config: Config, val prerequisit
       case null | "" | "fork-join-executor" ⇒ new ForkJoinExecutorConfigurator(config.getConfig("fork-join-executor"), prerequisites)
       case "thread-pool-executor"           ⇒ new ThreadPoolExecutorConfigurator(config.getConfig("thread-pool-executor"), prerequisites)
       case fqcn ⇒
-        val constructorSignature = Array[Class[_]](classOf[Config], classOf[DispatcherPrerequisites])
-        ReflectiveAccess.createInstance[ExecutorServiceConfigurator](fqcn, constructorSignature, Array[AnyRef](config, prerequisites), prerequisites.classloader) match {
+        val args = Seq(
+          classOf[Config] -> config,
+          classOf[DispatcherPrerequisites] -> prerequisites)
+        prerequisites.dynamicAccess.createInstanceFor[ExecutorServiceConfigurator](fqcn, args) match {
           case Right(instance) ⇒ instance
           case Left(exception) ⇒ throw new IllegalArgumentException(
             ("""Cannot instantiate ExecutorServiceConfigurator ("executor = [%s]"), defined in [%s],
@@ -439,11 +450,13 @@ object ForkJoinExecutorConfigurator {
   final class AkkaForkJoinPool(parallelism: Int,
                                threadFactory: ForkJoinPool.ForkJoinWorkerThreadFactory,
                                unhandledExceptionHandler: Thread.UncaughtExceptionHandler)
-    extends ForkJoinPool(parallelism, threadFactory, unhandledExceptionHandler, true) {
+    extends ForkJoinPool(parallelism, threadFactory, unhandledExceptionHandler, true) with LoadMetrics {
     override def execute(r: Runnable): Unit = r match {
       case m: Mailbox ⇒ super.execute(new MailboxExecutionTask(m))
       case other      ⇒ super.execute(other)
     }
+
+    def atFullThrottle(): Boolean = this.getActiveThreadCount() >= this.getParallelism()
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/BalancingDispatcher.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/BalancingDispatcher.scala
index 8542ac69c8..a7f03db5a0 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/BalancingDispatcher.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/BalancingDispatcher.scala
@@ -4,12 +4,11 @@
 
 package akka.dispatch
 
-import util.DynamicVariable
 import akka.actor.{ ActorCell, ActorRef }
-import java.util.concurrent.{ LinkedBlockingQueue, ConcurrentLinkedQueue, ConcurrentSkipListSet }
 import annotation.tailrec
-import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean
-import akka.util.Duration
+import akka.util.{ Duration, Helpers }
+import java.util.{ Comparator, Iterator }
+import java.util.concurrent.{ Executor, LinkedBlockingQueue, ConcurrentLinkedQueue, ConcurrentSkipListSet }
 
 /**
  * An executor based event driven dispatcher which will try to redistribute work from busy actors to idle actors. It is assumed
@@ -32,20 +31,27 @@ class BalancingDispatcher(
   throughputDeadlineTime: Duration,
   mailboxType: MailboxType,
   _executorServiceFactoryProvider: ExecutorServiceFactoryProvider,
-  _shutdownTimeout: Duration)
+  _shutdownTimeout: Duration,
+  attemptTeamWork: Boolean)
   extends Dispatcher(_prerequisites, _id, throughput, throughputDeadlineTime, mailboxType, _executorServiceFactoryProvider, _shutdownTimeout) {
 
-  val buddies = new ConcurrentSkipListSet[ActorCell](akka.util.Helpers.IdentityHashComparator)
-  val rebalance = new AtomicBoolean(false)
+  val team = new ConcurrentSkipListSet[ActorCell](
+    Helpers.identityHashComparator(new Comparator[ActorCell] {
+      def compare(l: ActorCell, r: ActorCell) = l.self.path compareTo r.self.path
+    }))
 
   val messageQueue: MessageQueue = mailboxType match {
-    case u: UnboundedMailbox ⇒ new QueueBasedMessageQueue with UnboundedMessageQueueSemantics {
-      final val queue = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue[Envelope]
-    }
-    case BoundedMailbox(cap, timeout) ⇒ new QueueBasedMessageQueue with BoundedMessageQueueSemantics {
-      final val queue = new LinkedBlockingQueue[Envelope](cap)
-      final val pushTimeOut = timeout
-    }
+    case UnboundedMailbox() ⇒
+      new QueueBasedMessageQueue with UnboundedMessageQueueSemantics {
+        final val queue = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue[Envelope]
+      }
+
+    case BoundedMailbox(cap, timeout) ⇒
+      new QueueBasedMessageQueue with BoundedMessageQueueSemantics {
+        final val queue = new LinkedBlockingQueue[Envelope](cap)
+        final val pushTimeOut = timeout
+      }
+
     case other ⇒ throw new IllegalArgumentException("Only handles BoundedMailbox and UnboundedMailbox, but you specified [" + other + "]")
   }
 
@@ -76,38 +82,33 @@ class BalancingDispatcher(
     }
   }
 
-  protected[akka] override def register(actor: ActorCell) = {
+  protected[akka] override def register(actor: ActorCell): Unit = {
     super.register(actor)
-    buddies.add(actor)
+    team.add(actor)
   }
 
-  protected[akka] override def unregister(actor: ActorCell) = {
-    buddies.remove(actor)
+  protected[akka] override def unregister(actor: ActorCell): Unit = {
+    team.remove(actor)
     super.unregister(actor)
-    intoTheFray(except = actor) //When someone leaves, he tosses a friend into the fray
+    teamWork()
   }
 
-  def intoTheFray(except: ActorCell): Unit =
-    if (rebalance.compareAndSet(false, true)) {
-      try {
-        val i = buddies.iterator()
-
-        @tailrec
-        def throwIn(): Unit = {
-          val n = if (i.hasNext) i.next() else null
-          if (n eq null) ()
-          else if ((n ne except) && registerForExecution(n.mailbox, false, false)) ()
-          else throwIn()
-        }
-        throwIn()
-      } finally {
-        rebalance.set(false)
-      }
-    }
-
   override protected[akka] def dispatch(receiver: ActorCell, invocation: Envelope) = {
     messageQueue.enqueue(receiver.self, invocation)
-    registerForExecution(receiver.mailbox, false, false)
-    intoTheFray(except = receiver)
+    if (!registerForExecution(receiver.mailbox, false, false)) teamWork()
   }
-}
+
+  protected def teamWork(): Unit = if (attemptTeamWork) {
+    @tailrec def scheduleOne(i: Iterator[ActorCell] = team.iterator): Unit =
+      if (messageQueue.hasMessages
+        && i.hasNext
+        && (executorService.get().executor match {
+          case lm: LoadMetrics ⇒ lm.atFullThrottle == false
+          case other           ⇒ true
+        })
+        && !registerForExecution(i.next.mailbox, false, false))
+        scheduleOne(i)
+
+    scheduleOne()
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Dispatcher.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Dispatcher.scala
index a735ea367e..2046f02286 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Dispatcher.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Dispatcher.scala
@@ -32,12 +32,11 @@ class Dispatcher(
   val shutdownTimeout: Duration)
   extends MessageDispatcher(_prerequisites) {
 
-  protected[akka] val executorServiceFactory: ExecutorServiceFactory =
+  protected val executorServiceFactory: ExecutorServiceFactory =
     executorServiceFactoryProvider.createExecutorServiceFactory(id, prerequisites.threadFactory)
 
-  protected[akka] val executorService = new AtomicReference[ExecutorService](new ExecutorServiceDelegate {
-    lazy val executor = executorServiceFactory.createExecutorService
-  })
+  protected val executorService = new AtomicReference[ExecutorServiceDelegate](
+    new ExecutorServiceDelegate { lazy val executor = executorServiceFactory.createExecutorService })
 
   protected[akka] def dispatch(receiver: ActorCell, invocation: Envelope) = {
     val mbox = receiver.mailbox
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Dispatchers.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Dispatchers.scala
index d71604fd1a..5f4528146d 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Dispatchers.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Dispatchers.scala
@@ -4,22 +4,24 @@
 
 package akka.dispatch
 
-import akka.actor.newUuid
-import akka.util.{ Duration, ReflectiveAccess }
-import akka.actor.ActorSystem
-import akka.event.EventStream
-import akka.actor.Scheduler
-import com.typesafe.config.Config
-import com.typesafe.config.ConfigFactory
+import java.util.concurrent.{ ConcurrentHashMap, TimeUnit, ThreadFactory }
+
+import scala.collection.JavaConverters.mapAsJavaMapConverter
+
+import com.typesafe.config.{ ConfigFactory, Config }
+
+import Dispatchers.DefaultDispatcherId
+import akka.actor.{ Scheduler, DynamicAccess, ActorSystem }
 import akka.event.Logging.Warning
-import java.util.concurrent.{ ThreadFactory, TimeUnit, ConcurrentHashMap }
+import akka.event.EventStream
+import akka.util.Duration
 
 trait DispatcherPrerequisites {
   def threadFactory: ThreadFactory
   def eventStream: EventStream
   def deadLetterMailbox: Mailbox
   def scheduler: Scheduler
-  def classloader: ClassLoader
+  def dynamicAccess: DynamicAccess
 }
 
 case class DefaultDispatcherPrerequisites(
@@ -27,7 +29,7 @@ case class DefaultDispatcherPrerequisites(
   val eventStream: EventStream,
   val deadLetterMailbox: Mailbox,
   val scheduler: Scheduler,
-  val classloader: ClassLoader) extends DispatcherPrerequisites
+  val dynamicAccess: DynamicAccess) extends DispatcherPrerequisites
 
 object Dispatchers {
   /**
@@ -137,7 +139,7 @@ class Dispatchers(val settings: ActorSystem.Settings, val prerequisites: Dispatc
       case "PinnedDispatcher"    ⇒ new PinnedDispatcherConfigurator(cfg, prerequisites)
       case fqn ⇒
         val args = Seq(classOf[Config] -> cfg, classOf[DispatcherPrerequisites] -> prerequisites)
-        ReflectiveAccess.createInstance[MessageDispatcherConfigurator](fqn, args, prerequisites.classloader) match {
+        prerequisites.dynamicAccess.createInstanceFor[MessageDispatcherConfigurator](fqn, args) match {
           case Right(configurator) ⇒ configurator
           case Left(exception) ⇒
             throw new IllegalArgumentException(
@@ -187,7 +189,8 @@ class BalancingDispatcherConfigurator(config: Config, prerequisites: DispatcherP
     config.getInt("throughput"),
     Duration(config.getNanoseconds("throughput-deadline-time"), TimeUnit.NANOSECONDS),
     mailboxType, configureExecutor(),
-    Duration(config.getMilliseconds("shutdown-timeout"), TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS))
+    Duration(config.getMilliseconds("shutdown-timeout"), TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS),
+    config.getBoolean("attempt-teamwork"))
 
   /**
    * Returns the same dispatcher instance for each invocation
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Future.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Future.scala
index 97ff17c075..d6f4751d6e 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Future.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Future.scala
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import akka.event.Logging.Debug
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit.NANOSECONDS
 import java.util.concurrent.{ ExecutionException, Callable, TimeoutException }
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.{ AtomicInteger, AtomicReferenceFieldUpdater }
+import akka.pattern.AskTimeoutException
 
 object Await {
 
@@ -151,6 +152,26 @@ object Futures {
       for (r ← fr; b ← fb) yield { r add b; r }
     }
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Signals that the current thread of execution will potentially engage
+   * in blocking calls after the call to this method, giving the system a
+   * chance to spawn new threads, reuse old threads or otherwise, to prevent
+   * starvation and/or unfairness.
+   *
+   * Assures that any Future tasks initiated in the current thread will be
+   * executed asynchronously, including any tasks currently queued to be
+   * executed in the current thread. This is needed if the current task may
+   * block, causing delays in executing the remaining tasks which in some
+   * cases may cause a deadlock.
+   *
+   * Usage: Call this method in a callback (map, flatMap etc also count) to a Future,
+   * if you will be doing blocking in the callback.
+   *
+   * Note: Calling 'Await.result(future)' or 'Await.ready(future)' will automatically trigger this method.
+   *
+   */
+  def blocking(): Unit = Future.blocking()
 }
 
 object Future {
@@ -317,17 +338,22 @@ object Future {
    * }
    * </pre>
    */
-  def blocking(implicit executor: ExecutionContext): Unit =
+  def blocking(): Unit =
     _taskStack.get match {
       case stack if (stack ne null) && stack.nonEmpty ⇒
+        val executionContext = _executionContext.get match {
+          case null ⇒ throw new IllegalStateException("'blocking' needs to be invoked inside a Future callback.")
+          case some ⇒ some
+        }
         val tasks = stack.elems
         stack.clear()
         _taskStack.remove()
-        dispatchTask(() ⇒ _taskStack.get.elems = tasks, true)
+        dispatchTask(() ⇒ _taskStack.get.elems = tasks, true)(executionContext)
       case _ ⇒ _taskStack.remove()
     }
 
   private val _taskStack = new ThreadLocal[Stack[() ⇒ Unit]]()
+  private val _executionContext = new ThreadLocal[ExecutionContext]()
 
   /**
    * Internal API, do not call
@@ -339,7 +365,7 @@ object Future {
         new Runnable {
           def run =
             try {
-
+              _executionContext set executor
               val taskStack = Stack.empty[() ⇒ Unit]
               taskStack push task
               _taskStack set taskStack
@@ -352,7 +378,10 @@ object Future {
                   case NonFatal(e) ⇒ executor.reportFailure(e)
                 }
               }
-            } finally { _taskStack.remove() }
+            } finally {
+              _executionContext.remove()
+              _taskStack.remove()
+            }
         })
     }
 
@@ -795,8 +824,9 @@ class DefaultPromise[T](implicit val executor: ExecutionContext) extends Abstrac
 
   def result(atMost: Duration)(implicit permit: CanAwait): T =
     ready(atMost).value.get match {
-      case Left(e)  ⇒ throw e
-      case Right(r) ⇒ r
+      case Left(e: AskTimeoutException) ⇒ throw new AskTimeoutException(e.getMessage, e) // to get meaningful stack trace
+      case Left(e)                      ⇒ throw e
+      case Right(r)                     ⇒ r
     }
 
   def value: Option[Either[Throwable, T]] = getState match {
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Mailbox.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Mailbox.scala
index 27853b49db..4c50cb5c8d 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Mailbox.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/Mailbox.scala
@@ -189,8 +189,11 @@ private[akka] abstract class Mailbox(val actor: ActorCell) extends MessageQueue
   final def processAllSystemMessages() {
     var nextMessage = systemDrain()
     try {
-      while (nextMessage ne null) {
-        if (debug) println(actor.self + " processing system message " + nextMessage + " with children " + actor.childrenRefs)
+      while ((nextMessage ne null) && !isClosed) {
+        if (debug) println(actor.self + " processing system message " + nextMessage + " with " +
+          (if (actor.childrenRefs.isEmpty) "no children"
+          else if (actor.childrenRefs.size > 20) actor.childrenRefs.size + " children"
+          else actor.childrenRefs.mkString("children:\n    ", "\n    ", "")))
         actor systemInvoke nextMessage
         nextMessage = nextMessage.next
         // don’t ever execute normal message when system message present!
@@ -236,15 +239,26 @@ private[akka] abstract class Mailbox(val actor: ActorCell) extends MessageQueue
 }
 
 trait MessageQueue {
-  /*
-   * These method need to be implemented in subclasses; they should not rely on the internal stuff above.
+  /**
+   * Try to enqueue the message to this queue, or throw an exception.
    */
-  def enqueue(receiver: ActorRef, handle: Envelope)
+  def enqueue(receiver: ActorRef, handle: Envelope): Unit // NOTE: receiver is used only in two places, but cannot be removed
 
+  /**
+   * Try to dequeue the next message from this queue, return null failing that.
+   */
   def dequeue(): Envelope
 
+  /**
+   * Should return the current number of messages held in this queue; may
+   * always return 0 if no other value is available efficiently. Do not use
+   * this for testing for presence of messages, use `hasMessages` instead.
+   */
   def numberOfMessages: Int
 
+  /**
+   * Indicates whether this queue is non-empty.
+   */
   def hasMessages: Boolean
 }
 
@@ -292,15 +306,15 @@ trait DefaultSystemMessageQueue { self: Mailbox ⇒
 }
 
 trait UnboundedMessageQueueSemantics extends QueueBasedMessageQueue {
-  final def enqueue(receiver: ActorRef, handle: Envelope): Unit = queue add handle
-  final def dequeue(): Envelope = queue.poll()
+  def enqueue(receiver: ActorRef, handle: Envelope): Unit = queue add handle
+  def dequeue(): Envelope = queue.poll()
 }
 
 trait BoundedMessageQueueSemantics extends QueueBasedMessageQueue {
   def pushTimeOut: Duration
   override def queue: BlockingQueue[Envelope]
 
-  final def enqueue(receiver: ActorRef, handle: Envelope) {
+  def enqueue(receiver: ActorRef, handle: Envelope) {
     if (pushTimeOut.length > 0) {
       queue.offer(handle, pushTimeOut.length, pushTimeOut.unit) || {
         throw new MessageQueueAppendFailedException("Couldn't enqueue message " + handle + " to " + receiver)
@@ -308,13 +322,13 @@ trait BoundedMessageQueueSemantics extends QueueBasedMessageQueue {
     } else queue put handle
   }
 
-  final def dequeue(): Envelope = queue.poll()
+  def dequeue(): Envelope = queue.poll()
 }
 
 trait QueueBasedMessageQueue extends MessageQueue {
   def queue: Queue[Envelope]
-  final def numberOfMessages = queue.size
-  final def hasMessages = !queue.isEmpty
+  def numberOfMessages = queue.size
+  def hasMessages = !queue.isEmpty
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/ThreadPoolBuilder.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/ThreadPoolBuilder.scala
index 1c63831013..b6fd432296 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/ThreadPoolBuilder.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/dispatch/ThreadPoolBuilder.scala
@@ -81,14 +81,16 @@ case class ThreadPoolConfig(allowCorePoolTimeout: Boolean = ThreadPoolConfig.def
   extends ExecutorServiceFactoryProvider {
   class ThreadPoolExecutorServiceFactory(val threadFactory: ThreadFactory) extends ExecutorServiceFactory {
     def createExecutorService: ExecutorService = {
-      val service = new ThreadPoolExecutor(
+      val service: ThreadPoolExecutor = new ThreadPoolExecutor(
         corePoolSize,
         maxPoolSize,
         threadTimeout.length,
         threadTimeout.unit,
         queueFactory(),
         threadFactory,
-        rejectionPolicy)
+        rejectionPolicy) with LoadMetrics {
+        def atFullThrottle(): Boolean = this.getActiveCount >= this.getPoolSize
+      }
       service.allowCoreThreadTimeOut(allowCorePoolTimeout)
       service
     }
@@ -182,7 +184,7 @@ case class MonitorableThreadFactory(name: String,
   protected def wire[T <: Thread](t: T): T = {
     t.setUncaughtExceptionHandler(exceptionHandler)
     t.setDaemon(daemonic)
-    contextClassLoader foreach (t.setContextClassLoader(_))
+    contextClassLoader foreach t.setContextClassLoader
     t
   }
 }
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/event/Logging.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/event/Logging.scala
index a6622b7875..a58ea3fdb9 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/event/Logging.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/event/Logging.scala
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ package akka.event
 import akka.actor._
 import akka.AkkaException
 import akka.actor.ActorSystem.Settings
-import akka.util.ReflectiveAccess
 import akka.config.ConfigurationException
 import akka.util.ReentrantGuard
 import akka.util.duration._
@@ -101,7 +100,7 @@ trait LoggingBus extends ActorEventBus {
         if loggerName != StandardOutLoggerName
       } yield {
         try {
-          ReflectiveAccess.getClassFor[Actor](loggerName, system.internalClassLoader) match {
+          system.dynamicAccess.getClassFor[Actor](loggerName) match {
             case Right(actorClass) ⇒ addLogger(system, actorClass, level, logName)
             case Left(exception)   ⇒ throw exception
           }
@@ -350,7 +349,7 @@ object Logging {
 
   object Extension extends ExtensionKey[LogExt]
 
-  class LogExt(system: ActorSystemImpl) extends Extension {
+  class LogExt(system: ExtendedActorSystem) extends Extension {
     private val loggerId = new AtomicInteger
     def id() = loggerId.incrementAndGet()
   }
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/routing/Routing.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/routing/Routing.scala
index c200be0871..4ff6609255 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/routing/Routing.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/routing/Routing.scala
@@ -9,15 +9,14 @@ import akka.util.duration._
 import akka.config.ConfigurationException
 import akka.pattern.pipe
 import akka.pattern.AskSupport
-
 import com.typesafe.config.Config
-
 import scala.collection.JavaConversions.iterableAsScalaIterable
-
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.{ AtomicLong, AtomicBoolean }
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit
-
+import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock
 import akka.jsr166y.ThreadLocalRandom
+import akka.util.Unsafe
+import akka.dispatch.Dispatchers
 
 /**
  * A RoutedActorRef is an ActorRef that has a set of connected ActorRef and it uses a Router to
@@ -26,25 +25,88 @@ import akka.jsr166y.ThreadLocalRandom
 private[akka] class RoutedActorRef(_system: ActorSystemImpl, _props: Props, _supervisor: InternalActorRef, _path: ActorPath)
   extends LocalActorRef(
     _system,
-    _props.copy(creator = () ⇒ _props.routerConfig.createActor()),
+    _props.copy(creator = () ⇒ _props.routerConfig.createActor(), dispatcher = _props.routerConfig.routerDispatcher),
     _supervisor,
     _path) {
 
-  private val routeeProps = _props.copy(routerConfig = NoRouter)
-  private val resizeProgress = new AtomicBoolean
+  /*
+   * CAUTION: RoutedActorRef is PROBLEMATIC
+   * ======================================
+   * 
+   * We are constructing/assembling the children outside of the scope of the 
+   * Router actor, inserting them in its childrenRef list, which is not at all
+   * synchronized. This is done exactly once at start-up, all other accesses
+   * are done from the Router actor. This means that the only thing which is
+   * really hairy is making sure that the Router does not touch its childrenRefs
+   * before we are done with them: lock the monitor of the actor cell (hence the
+   * override of newActorCell) and use that to block the Router constructor for
+   * as long as it takes to setup the RoutedActorRef itself.
+   */
+  override def newActorCell(
+    system: ActorSystemImpl,
+    ref: InternalActorRef,
+    props: Props,
+    supervisor: InternalActorRef,
+    receiveTimeout: Option[Duration]): ActorCell =
+    {
+      val cell = super.newActorCell(system, ref, props, supervisor, receiveTimeout)
+      Unsafe.instance.monitorEnter(cell)
+      cell
+    }
+
+  private[akka] val routerConfig = _props.routerConfig
+  private[akka] val routeeProps = _props.copy(routerConfig = NoRouter)
+  private[akka] val resizeInProgress = new AtomicBoolean
   private val resizeCounter = new AtomicLong
 
   @volatile
   private var _routees: IndexedSeq[ActorRef] = IndexedSeq.empty[ActorRef] // this MUST be initialized during createRoute
   def routees = _routees
 
+  @volatile
+  private var _routeeProvider: RouteeProvider = _
+  def routeeProvider = _routeeProvider
+
+  val route =
+    try {
+      _routeeProvider = routerConfig.createRouteeProvider(actorContext)
+      val r = routerConfig.createRoute(routeeProps, routeeProvider)
+      // initial resize, before message send
+      routerConfig.resizer foreach { r ⇒
+        if (r.isTimeForResize(resizeCounter.getAndIncrement()))
+          r.resize(routeeProps, routeeProvider)
+      }
+      r
+    } finally {
+      assert(Thread.holdsLock(actorContext))
+      Unsafe.instance.monitorExit(actorContext) // unblock Router’s constructor
+    }
+
+  if (routerConfig.resizer.isEmpty && _routees.isEmpty)
+    throw new ActorInitializationException("router " + routerConfig + " did not register routees!")
+
+  /*
+   * end of construction
+   */
+
+  def applyRoute(sender: ActorRef, message: Any): Iterable[Destination] = message match {
+    case _: AutoReceivedMessage ⇒ Destination(this, this) :: Nil
+    case Terminated(_)          ⇒ Destination(this, this) :: Nil
+    case CurrentRoutees ⇒
+      sender ! RouterRoutees(_routees)
+      Nil
+    case _ ⇒
+      if (route.isDefinedAt(sender, message)) route(sender, message)
+      else Nil
+  }
+
   /**
    * Adds the routees to existing routees.
    * Adds death watch of the routees so that they are removed when terminated.
    * Not thread safe, but intended to be called from protected points, such as
    * `RouterConfig.createRoute` and `Resizer.resize`
    */
-  private[akka] def addRoutees(newRoutees: IndexedSeq[ActorRef]) {
+  private[akka] def addRoutees(newRoutees: IndexedSeq[ActorRef]): Unit = {
     _routees = _routees ++ newRoutees
     // subscribe to Terminated messages for all route destinations, to be handled by Router actor
     newRoutees foreach underlying.watch
@@ -56,34 +118,11 @@ private[akka] class RoutedActorRef(_system: ActorSystemImpl, _props: Props, _sup
    * Not thread safe, but intended to be called from protected points, such as
    * `Resizer.resize`
    */
-  private[akka] def removeRoutees(abandonedRoutees: IndexedSeq[ActorRef]) {
+  private[akka] def removeRoutees(abandonedRoutees: IndexedSeq[ActorRef]): Unit = {
     _routees = _routees diff abandonedRoutees
     abandonedRoutees foreach underlying.unwatch
   }
 
-  private val routeeProvider = _props.routerConfig.createRouteeProvider(actorContext)
-  val route = _props.routerConfig.createRoute(routeeProps, routeeProvider)
-  // initial resize, before message send
-  resize()
-
-  def applyRoute(sender: ActorRef, message: Any): Iterable[Destination] = message match {
-    case _: AutoReceivedMessage ⇒ Nil
-    case Terminated(_)          ⇒ Nil
-    case CurrentRoutees ⇒
-      sender ! RouterRoutees(_routees)
-      Nil
-    case _ ⇒
-      if (route.isDefinedAt(sender, message)) route(sender, message)
-      else Nil
-  }
-
-  if (_props.routerConfig.resizer.isEmpty && _routees.isEmpty)
-    throw new ActorInitializationException("router " + _props.routerConfig + " did not register routees!")
-
-  _routees match {
-    case x ⇒ _routees = x // volatile write to publish the route before sending messages
-  }
-
   override def !(message: Any)(implicit sender: ActorRef = null): Unit = {
     resize()
 
@@ -95,20 +134,15 @@ private[akka] class RoutedActorRef(_system: ActorSystemImpl, _props: Props, _sup
     }
 
     applyRoute(s, message) match {
-      case Nil  ⇒ super.!(message)(s)
-      case refs ⇒ refs foreach (p ⇒ p.recipient.!(msg)(p.sender))
+      case Destination(_, x) :: Nil if x eq this ⇒ super.!(message)(s)
+      case refs                                  ⇒ refs foreach (p ⇒ p.recipient.!(msg)(p.sender))
     }
   }
 
-  def resize() {
-    for (r ← _props.routerConfig.resizer) {
-      if (r.isTimeForResize(resizeCounter.getAndIncrement()) && resizeProgress.compareAndSet(false, true)) {
-        try {
-          r.resize(routeeProps, routeeProvider)
-        } finally {
-          resizeProgress.set(false)
-        }
-      }
+  def resize(): Unit = {
+    for (r ← routerConfig.resizer) {
+      if (r.isTimeForResize(resizeCounter.getAndIncrement()) && resizeInProgress.compareAndSet(false, true))
+        super.!(Router.Resize)
     }
   }
 }
@@ -139,6 +173,11 @@ trait RouterConfig {
 
   def createActor(): Router = new Router {}
 
+  /**
+   * Dispatcher ID to use for running the “head” actor, i.e. the [[akka.routing.Router]].
+   */
+  def routerDispatcher: String
+
   /**
    * Overridable merge strategy, by default completely prefers “this” (i.e. no merge).
    */
@@ -246,13 +285,20 @@ trait CustomRoute {
  */
 trait Router extends Actor {
 
-  val ref = self match {
-    case x: RoutedActorRef ⇒ x
-    case _                 ⇒ throw new ActorInitializationException("Router actor can only be used in RoutedActorRef")
+  // make sure that we synchronize properly to get the childrenRefs into our CPU cache
+  val ref = context.synchronized {
+    self match {
+      case x: RoutedActorRef ⇒ x
+      case _                 ⇒ throw new ActorInitializationException("Router actor can only be used in RoutedActorRef")
+    }
   }
 
   final def receive = ({
 
+    case Router.Resize ⇒
+      try ref.routerConfig.resizer foreach (_.resize(ref.routeeProps, ref.routeeProvider))
+      finally assert(ref.resizeInProgress.getAndSet(false))
+
     case Terminated(child) ⇒
       ref.removeRoutees(IndexedSeq(child))
       if (ref.routees.isEmpty) context.stop(self)
@@ -264,6 +310,10 @@ trait Router extends Actor {
   }
 }
 
+private object Router {
+  case object Resize
+}
+
 /**
  * Used to broadcast a message to all connections in a router; only the
  * contained message will be forwarded, i.e. the `Broadcast(...)`
@@ -302,6 +352,7 @@ case class Destination(sender: ActorRef, recipient: ActorRef)
 //TODO add @SerialVersionUID(1L) when SI-4804 is fixed
 case object NoRouter extends RouterConfig {
   def createRoute(props: Props, routeeProvider: RouteeProvider): Route = null
+  def routerDispatcher: String = ""
   override def withFallback(other: RouterConfig): RouterConfig = other
 }
 
@@ -311,13 +362,20 @@ case object NoRouter extends RouterConfig {
 case object FromConfig extends RouterConfig {
   def createRoute(props: Props, routeeProvider: RouteeProvider): Route =
     throw new ConfigurationException("router " + routeeProvider.context.self + " needs external configuration from file (e.g. application.conf)")
+  def routerDispatcher: String = Dispatchers.DefaultDispatcherId
 }
 
 /**
  * Java API: Router configuration which has no default, i.e. external configuration is required.
+ *
+ * This can be used when the dispatcher to be used for the head Router needs to be configured
+ * (defaults to default-dispatcher).
  */
 //TODO add @SerialVersionUID(1L) when SI-4804 is fixed
-case class FromConfig() extends RouterConfig {
+case class FromConfig(val routerDispatcher: String = Dispatchers.DefaultDispatcherId) extends RouterConfig {
+
+  def this() = this(Dispatchers.DefaultDispatcherId)
+
   def createRoute(props: Props, routeeProvider: RouteeProvider): Route =
     throw new ConfigurationException("router " + routeeProvider.context.self + " needs external configuration from file (e.g. application.conf)")
 }
@@ -348,7 +406,8 @@ object RoundRobinRouter {
  *   using `actorFor` in [[akka.actor.ActorRefProvider]]
  */
 //TODO add @SerialVersionUID(1L) when SI-4804 is fixed
-case class RoundRobinRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[String] = Nil, override val resizer: Option[Resizer] = None)
+case class RoundRobinRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[String] = Nil, override val resizer: Option[Resizer] = None,
+                            val routerDispatcher: String = Dispatchers.DefaultDispatcherId)
   extends RouterConfig with RoundRobinLike {
 
   /**
@@ -374,6 +433,11 @@ case class RoundRobinRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[String] =
    * Java API
    */
   def this(resizer: Resizer) = this(resizer = Some(resizer))
+
+  /**
+   * Java API for setting routerDispatcher
+   */
+  def withDispatcher(dispatcherId: String) = copy(routerDispatcher = dispatcherId)
 }
 
 trait RoundRobinLike { this: RouterConfig ⇒
@@ -428,7 +492,8 @@ object RandomRouter {
  *   using `actorFor` in [[akka.actor.ActorRefProvider]]
  */
 //TODO add @SerialVersionUID(1L) when SI-4804 is fixed
-case class RandomRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[String] = Nil, override val resizer: Option[Resizer] = None)
+case class RandomRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[String] = Nil, override val resizer: Option[Resizer] = None,
+                        val routerDispatcher: String = Dispatchers.DefaultDispatcherId)
   extends RouterConfig with RandomLike {
 
   /**
@@ -454,6 +519,11 @@ case class RandomRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[String] = Nil,
    * Java API
    */
   def this(resizer: Resizer) = this(resizer = Some(resizer))
+
+  /**
+   * Java API for setting routerDispatcher
+   */
+  def withDispatcher(dispatcherId: String) = copy(routerDispatcher = dispatcherId)
 }
 
 trait RandomLike { this: RouterConfig ⇒
@@ -514,7 +584,8 @@ object SmallestMailboxRouter {
  *   using `actorFor` in [[akka.actor.ActorRefProvider]]
  */
 //TODO add @SerialVersionUID(1L) when SI-4804 is fixed
-case class SmallestMailboxRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[String] = Nil, override val resizer: Option[Resizer] = None)
+case class SmallestMailboxRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[String] = Nil, override val resizer: Option[Resizer] = None,
+                                 val routerDispatcher: String = Dispatchers.DefaultDispatcherId)
   extends RouterConfig with SmallestMailboxLike {
 
   /**
@@ -540,6 +611,11 @@ case class SmallestMailboxRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[Strin
    * Java API
    */
   def this(resizer: Resizer) = this(resizer = Some(resizer))
+
+  /**
+   * Java API for setting routerDispatcher
+   */
+  def withDispatcher(dispatcherId: String) = copy(routerDispatcher = dispatcherId)
 }
 
 trait SmallestMailboxLike { this: RouterConfig ⇒
@@ -659,7 +735,8 @@ object BroadcastRouter {
  *   using `actorFor` in [[akka.actor.ActorRefProvider]]
  */
 //TODO add @SerialVersionUID(1L) when SI-4804 is fixed
-case class BroadcastRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[String] = Nil, override val resizer: Option[Resizer] = None)
+case class BroadcastRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[String] = Nil, override val resizer: Option[Resizer] = None,
+                           val routerDispatcher: String = Dispatchers.DefaultDispatcherId)
   extends RouterConfig with BroadcastLike {
 
   /**
@@ -686,6 +763,10 @@ case class BroadcastRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[String] = N
    */
   def this(resizer: Resizer) = this(resizer = Some(resizer))
 
+  /**
+   * Java API for setting routerDispatcher
+   */
+  def withDispatcher(dispatcherId: String) = copy(routerDispatcher = dispatcherId)
 }
 
 trait BroadcastLike { this: RouterConfig ⇒
@@ -732,7 +813,8 @@ object ScatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter {
  */
 //TODO add @SerialVersionUID(1L) when SI-4804 is fixed
 case class ScatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: Iterable[String] = Nil, within: Duration,
-                                             override val resizer: Option[Resizer] = None)
+                                             override val resizer: Option[Resizer] = None,
+                                             val routerDispatcher: String = Dispatchers.DefaultDispatcherId)
   extends RouterConfig with ScatterGatherFirstCompletedLike {
 
   if (within <= Duration.Zero) throw new IllegalArgumentException(
@@ -761,6 +843,11 @@ case class ScatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter(nrOfInstances: Int = 0, routees: It
    * Java API
    */
   def this(resizer: Resizer, w: Duration) = this(resizer = Some(resizer), within = w)
+
+  /**
+   * Java API for setting routerDispatcher
+   */
+  def withDispatcher(dispatcherId: String) = copy(routerDispatcher = dispatcherId)
 }
 
 trait ScatterGatherFirstCompletedLike { this: RouterConfig ⇒
@@ -795,14 +882,22 @@ trait Resizer {
    * for the initial resize and continues with 1 for the first message. Make sure to perform
    * initial resize before first message (messageCounter == 0), because there is no guarantee
    * that resize will be done when concurrent messages are in play.
+   *
+   * CAUTION: this method is invoked from the thread which tries to send a
+   * message to the pool, i.e. the ActorRef.!() method, hence it may be called
+   * concurrently.
    */
   def isTimeForResize(messageCounter: Long): Boolean
+
   /**
    * Decide if the capacity of the router need to be changed. Will be invoked when `isTimeForResize`
    * returns true and no other resize is in progress.
    * Create and register more routees with `routeeProvider.registerRoutees(newRoutees)
    * or remove routees with `routeeProvider.unregisterRoutees(abandonedRoutees)` and
    * sending [[akka.actor.PoisonPill]] to them.
+   *
+   * This method is invoked only in the context of the Router actor in order to safely
+   * create/stop children.
    */
   def resize(props: Props, routeeProvider: RouteeProvider)
 }
@@ -933,7 +1028,8 @@ case class DefaultResizer(
    */
   def capacity(routees: IndexedSeq[ActorRef]): Int = {
     val currentSize = routees.size
-    val delta = filter(pressure(routees), currentSize)
+    val press = pressure(routees)
+    val delta = filter(press, currentSize)
     val proposed = currentSize + delta
 
     if (proposed < lowerBound) delta + (lowerBound - proposed)
@@ -963,7 +1059,7 @@ case class DefaultResizer(
       case a: LocalActorRef ⇒
         val cell = a.underlying
         pressureThreshold match {
-          case 1          ⇒ cell.mailbox.isScheduled && cell.currentMessage != null
+          case 1          ⇒ cell.mailbox.isScheduled && cell.mailbox.hasMessages
           case i if i < 1 ⇒ cell.mailbox.isScheduled && cell.currentMessage != null
           case threshold  ⇒ cell.mailbox.numberOfMessages >= threshold
         }
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/Format.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/Format.scala
deleted file mode 100644
index 57ae659cec..0000000000
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/Format.scala
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,103 +0,0 @@
-package akka.serialization
-
-/**
- * Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Typesafe Inc. <http://www.typesafe.com>
- */
-
-import akka.actor.Actor
-
-/**
- * trait Serializer {
- * @volatile
- * var classLoader: Option[ClassLoader] = None
- * def deepClone(obj: AnyRef): AnyRef = fromBinary(toBinary(obj), Some(obj.getClass))
- *
- * def toBinary(obj: AnyRef): Array[Byte]
- * def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], clazz: Option[Class[_]]): AnyRef
- * }
- */
-
-/**
- *
- * object Format {
- * implicit object Default extends Serializer {
- * import java.io.{ ObjectOutputStream, ByteArrayOutputStream, ObjectInputStream, ByteArrayInputStream }
- * //import org.apache.commons.io.input.ClassLoaderObjectInputStream
- *
- * def toBinary(obj: AnyRef): Array[Byte] = {
- * val bos = new ByteArrayOutputStream
- * val out = new ObjectOutputStream(bos)
- * out.writeObject(obj)
- * out.close()
- * bos.toByteArray
- * }
- *
- * def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], clazz: Option[Class[_]], classLoader: Option[ClassLoader] = None): AnyRef = {
- * val in =
- * //if (classLoader.isDefined) new ClassLoaderObjectInputStream(classLoader.get, new ByteArrayInputStream(bytes)) else
- * new ObjectInputStream(new ByteArrayInputStream(bytes))
- * val obj = in.readObject
- * in.close()
- * obj
- * }
- *
- * def identifier: Byte = 111 //Pick a number and hope no one has chosen the same :-) 0 - 16 is reserved for Akka internals
- *
- * }
- *
- * val defaultSerializerName = Default.getClass.getName
- * }
- */
-
-trait FromBinary[T <: Actor] {
-  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], act: T): T
-}
-
-trait ToBinary[T <: Actor] {
-  def toBinary(t: T): Array[Byte]
-}
-
-/**
- * Type class definition for Actor Serialization.
- * Client needs to implement Format[] for the respective actor.
- */
-trait Format[T <: Actor] extends FromBinary[T] with ToBinary[T]
-
-/**
- * A default implementation for a stateless actor
- *
- * Create a Format object with the client actor as the implementation of the type class
- *
- * <pre>
- * object BinaryFormatMyStatelessActor  {
- *   implicit object MyStatelessActorFormat extends StatelessActorFormat[MyStatelessActor]
- * }
- * </pre>
- */
-trait StatelessActorFormat[T <: Actor] extends Format[T] {
-  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], act: T) = act
-
-  def toBinary(ac: T) = Array.empty[Byte]
-}
-
-/**
- * A default implementation of the type class for a Format that specifies a serializer
- *
- * Create a Format object with the client actor as the implementation of the type class and
- * a serializer object
- *
- * <pre>
- * object BinaryFormatMyJavaSerializableActor  {
- *   implicit object MyJavaSerializableActorFormat extends SerializerBasedActorFormat[MyJavaSerializableActor]  {
- *     val serializer = Serializers.Java
- *   }
- * }
- * </pre>
- */
-trait SerializerBasedActorFormat[T <: Actor] extends Format[T] {
-  val serializer: Serializer
-
-  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], act: T) = serializer.fromBinary(bytes, Some(act.getClass)).asInstanceOf[T]
-
-  def toBinary(ac: T) = serializer.toBinary(ac)
-}
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/Serialization.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/Serialization.scala
index fbcd5e9f9e..ce0f56a238 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/Serialization.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/Serialization.scala
@@ -5,12 +5,12 @@
 package akka.serialization
 
 import akka.AkkaException
-import akka.util.ReflectiveAccess
 import scala.util.DynamicVariable
 import com.typesafe.config.Config
-import akka.actor.{ Extension, ActorSystem, ExtendedActorSystem, Address }
-import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap
+import akka.actor.{ Extension, ExtendedActorSystem, Address, DynamicAccess }
 import akka.event.Logging
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap
+import akka.util.NonFatal
 import scala.collection.mutable.ArrayBuffer
 import java.io.NotSerializableException
 
@@ -23,19 +23,6 @@ object Serialization {
    */
   type ClassSerializer = (Class[_], Serializer)
 
-  /**
-   * This holds a reference to the current ActorSystem (the surrounding context)
-   * during serialization and deserialization.
-   *
-   * If you are using Serializers yourself, outside of SerializationExtension,
-   * you'll need to surround the serialization/deserialization with:
-   *
-   * currentSystem.withValue(system) {
-   *   ...code...
-   * }
-   */
-  val currentSystem = new DynamicVariable[ActorSystem](null)
-
   /**
    * This holds a reference to the current transport address to be inserted
    * into local actor refs during serialization.
@@ -71,8 +58,9 @@ class Serialization(val system: ExtendedActorSystem) extends Extension {
    * Serializes the given AnyRef/java.lang.Object according to the Serialization configuration
    * to either an Array of Bytes or an Exception if one was thrown.
    */
-  def serialize(o: AnyRef): Either[Exception, Array[Byte]] =
-    try { Right(findSerializerFor(o).toBinary(o)) } catch { case e: Exception ⇒ Left(e) }
+  def serialize(o: AnyRef): Either[Throwable, Array[Byte]] =
+    try Right(findSerializerFor(o).toBinary(o))
+    catch { case NonFatal(e) ⇒ Left(e) }
 
   /**
    * Deserializes the given array of bytes using the specified serializer id,
@@ -81,26 +69,18 @@ class Serialization(val system: ExtendedActorSystem) extends Extension {
    */
   def deserialize(bytes: Array[Byte],
                   serializerId: Int,
-                  clazz: Option[Class[_]],
-                  classLoader: ClassLoader): Either[Exception, AnyRef] =
-    try {
-      currentSystem.withValue(system) {
-        Right(serializerByIdentity(serializerId).fromBinary(bytes, clazz, Some(classLoader)))
-      }
-    } catch { case e: Exception ⇒ Left(e) }
+                  clazz: Option[Class[_]]): Either[Throwable, AnyRef] =
+    try Right(serializerByIdentity(serializerId).fromBinary(bytes, clazz))
+    catch { case NonFatal(e) ⇒ Left(e) }
 
   /**
    * Deserializes the given array of bytes using the specified type to look up what Serializer should be used.
    * You can specify an optional ClassLoader to load the object into.
    * Returns either the resulting object or an Exception if one was thrown.
    */
-  def deserialize(
-    bytes: Array[Byte],
-    clazz: Class[_],
-    classLoader: Option[ClassLoader]): Either[Exception, AnyRef] =
-    try {
-      currentSystem.withValue(system) { Right(serializerFor(clazz).fromBinary(bytes, Some(clazz), classLoader)) }
-    } catch { case e: Exception ⇒ Left(e) }
+  def deserialize(bytes: Array[Byte], clazz: Class[_]): Either[Throwable, AnyRef] =
+    try Right(serializerFor(clazz).fromBinary(bytes, Some(clazz)))
+    catch { case NonFatal(e) ⇒ Left(e) }
 
   /**
    * Returns the Serializer configured for the given object, returns the NullSerializer if it's null.
@@ -149,10 +129,12 @@ class Serialization(val system: ExtendedActorSystem) extends Extension {
     }
 
   /**
-   * Tries to instantiate the specified Serializer by the FQN
+   * Tries to load the specified Serializer by the fully-qualified name; the actual
+   * loading is performed by the system’s [[akka.actor.DynamicAccess]].
    */
-  def serializerOf(serializerFQN: String): Either[Exception, Serializer] =
-    ReflectiveAccess.createInstance(serializerFQN, ReflectiveAccess.noParams, ReflectiveAccess.noArgs, system.internalClassLoader)
+  def serializerOf(serializerFQN: String): Either[Throwable, Serializer] =
+    system.dynamicAccess.createInstanceFor[Serializer](serializerFQN, Seq(classOf[ExtendedActorSystem] -> system)).fold(_ ⇒
+      system.dynamicAccess.createInstanceFor[Serializer](serializerFQN, Seq()), Right(_))
 
   /**
    * A Map of serializer from alias to implementation (class implementing akka.serialization.Serializer)
@@ -169,7 +151,7 @@ class Serialization(val system: ExtendedActorSystem) extends Extension {
    */
   private[akka] val bindings: Seq[ClassSerializer] = {
     val configuredBindings = for ((k: String, v: String) ← settings.SerializationBindings if v != "none") yield {
-      val c = ReflectiveAccess.getClassFor(k, system.internalClassLoader).fold(throw _, identity[Class[_]])
+      val c = system.dynamicAccess.getClassFor(k).fold(throw _, identity[Class[_]])
       (c, serializers(v))
     }
     sort(configuredBindings)
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/Serializer.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/Serializer.scala
index 5a9ba97a98..2721432460 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/Serializer.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/Serializer.scala
@@ -6,11 +6,31 @@ package akka.serialization
 
 import java.io.{ ObjectOutputStream, ByteArrayOutputStream, ObjectInputStream, ByteArrayInputStream }
 import akka.util.ClassLoaderObjectInputStream
+import akka.actor.DynamicAccess
+import akka.actor.ExtendedActorSystem
+import scala.util.DynamicVariable
 
 /**
- * A Serializer represents a bimap between an object and an array of bytes representing that object
+ * A Serializer represents a bimap between an object and an array of bytes representing that object.
+ *
+ * Serializers are loaded using reflection during [[akka.actor.ActorSystem]]
+ * start-up, where two constructors are tried in order:
+ *
+ * <ul>
+ * <li>taking exactly one argument of type [[akka.actor.ExtendedActorSystem]];
+ * this should be the preferred one because all reflective loading of classes
+ * during deserialization should use ExtendedActorSystem.dynamicAccess (see
+ * [[akka.actor.DynamicAccess]]), and</li>
+ * <li>without arguments, which is only an option if the serializer does not
+ * load classes using reflection.</li>
+ * </ul>
+ *
+ * <b>Be sure to always use the PropertyManager for loading classes!</b> This is necessary to
+ * avoid strange match errors and inequalities which arise from different class loaders loading
+ * the same class.
  */
 trait Serializer {
+
   /**
    * Completely unique value to identify this implementation of Serializer, used to optimize network traffic
    * Values from 0 to 16 is reserved for Akka internal usage
@@ -28,42 +48,61 @@ trait Serializer {
   def includeManifest: Boolean
 
   /**
-   * Deserializes the given Array of Bytes into an AnyRef
+   * Produces an object from an array of bytes, with an optional type-hint;
+   * the class should be loaded using ActorSystem.dynamicAccess.
    */
-  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte]): AnyRef = fromBinary(bytes, None, None)
+  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], manifest: Option[Class[_]]): AnyRef
 
   /**
-   * Deserializes the given Array of Bytes into an AnyRef with an optional type hint
+   * Java API: deserialize without type hint
    */
-  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], manifest: Option[Class[_]]): AnyRef = fromBinary(bytes, manifest, None)
+  final def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte]): AnyRef = fromBinary(bytes, None)
 
   /**
-   *  Produces an object from an array of bytes, with an optional type-hint and a classloader to load the class into
+   * Java API: deserialize with type hint
    */
-  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], manifest: Option[Class[_]], classLoader: Option[ClassLoader]): AnyRef
+  final def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], clazz: Class[_]): AnyRef = fromBinary(bytes, Option(clazz))
 }
 
 /**
- * Java API for creating a Serializer
+ * Java API for creating a Serializer: make sure to include a constructor which
+ * takes exactly one argument of type [[akka.actor.ExtendedActorSystem]], because
+ * that is the preferred constructor which will be invoked when reflectively instantiating
+ * the JSerializer (also possible with empty constructor).
  */
 abstract class JSerializer extends Serializer {
-  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], manifest: Option[Class[_]] = None, classLoader: Option[ClassLoader] = None): AnyRef =
-    fromBinary(bytes, manifest.orNull, classLoader.orNull)
+  final def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], manifest: Option[Class[_]]): AnyRef =
+    fromBinaryJava(bytes, manifest.orNull)
 
   /**
-   * This method should be overridden,
-   * manifest and classLoader may be null.
+   * This method must be implemented, manifest may be null.
    */
-  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], manifest: Class[_], classLoader: ClassLoader): AnyRef
+  protected def fromBinaryJava(bytes: Array[Byte], manifest: Class[_]): AnyRef
 }
 
-object JavaSerializer extends JavaSerializer
 object NullSerializer extends NullSerializer
 
+object JavaSerializer {
+
+  /**
+   * This holds a reference to the current ActorSystem (the surrounding context)
+   * during serialization and deserialization.
+   *
+   * If you are using Serializers yourself, outside of SerializationExtension,
+   * you'll need to surround the serialization/deserialization with:
+   *
+   * currentSystem.withValue(system) {
+   *   ...code...
+   * }
+   */
+  val currentSystem = new DynamicVariable[ExtendedActorSystem](null)
+
+}
+
 /**
  * This Serializer uses standard Java Serialization
  */
-class JavaSerializer extends Serializer {
+class JavaSerializer(val system: ExtendedActorSystem) extends Serializer {
 
   def includeManifest: Boolean = false
 
@@ -77,12 +116,11 @@ class JavaSerializer extends Serializer {
     bos.toByteArray
   }
 
-  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], clazz: Option[Class[_]] = None,
-                 classLoader: Option[ClassLoader] = None): AnyRef = {
-    val in =
-      if (classLoader.isDefined) new ClassLoaderObjectInputStream(classLoader.get, new ByteArrayInputStream(bytes)) else
-        new ObjectInputStream(new ByteArrayInputStream(bytes))
-    val obj = in.readObject
+  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], clazz: Option[Class[_]]): AnyRef = {
+    val in = new ClassLoaderObjectInputStream(system.dynamicAccess.classLoader, new ByteArrayInputStream(bytes))
+    val obj = JavaSerializer.currentSystem.withValue(system) {
+      in.readObject
+    }
     in.close()
     obj
   }
@@ -96,5 +134,5 @@ class NullSerializer extends Serializer {
   def includeManifest: Boolean = false
   def identifier = 0
   def toBinary(o: AnyRef) = nullAsBytes
-  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], clazz: Option[Class[_]] = None, classLoader: Option[ClassLoader] = None): AnyRef = null
+  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], clazz: Option[Class[_]]): AnyRef = null
 }
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/util/Helpers.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/util/Helpers.scala
index 60e6be8b65..25cb279f2e 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/util/Helpers.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/util/Helpers.scala
@@ -21,8 +21,18 @@ object Helpers {
     if (diff > 0) 1 else if (diff < 0) -1 else 0
   }
 
-  val IdentityHashComparator = new Comparator[AnyRef] {
-    def compare(a: AnyRef, b: AnyRef): Int = compareIdentityHash(a, b)
+  /**
+   * Create a comparator which will efficiently use `System.identityHashCode`,
+   * unless that happens to be the same for two non-equals objects, in which
+   * case the supplied “real” comparator is used; the comparator must be
+   * consistent with equals, otherwise it would not be an enhancement over
+   * the identityHashCode.
+   */
+  def identityHashComparator[T <: AnyRef](comp: Comparator[T]): Comparator[T] = new Comparator[T] {
+    def compare(a: T, b: T): Int = compareIdentityHash(a, b) match {
+      case 0 if a != b ⇒ comp.compare(a, b)
+      case x           ⇒ x
+    }
   }
 
   final val base64chars = "abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0123456789+~"
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/util/Reflect.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/util/Reflect.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..25c56a983f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/util/Reflect.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Typesafe Inc. <http://www.typesafe.com>
+ */
+package akka.util
+
+/**
+ * Collection of internal reflection utilities which may or may not be
+ * available (most services specific to HotSpot, but fails gracefully).
+ */
+object Reflect {
+
+  /**
+   * This optionally holds a function which looks N levels above itself
+   * on the call stack and returns the `Class[_]` object for the code
+   * executing in that stack frame. Implemented using
+   * `sun.reflect.Reflection.getCallerClass` if available, None otherwise.
+   *
+   * Hint: when comparing to Thread.currentThread.getStackTrace, add two levels.
+   */
+  val getCallerClass: Option[Int ⇒ Class[_]] = {
+    try {
+      val c = Class.forName("sun.reflect.Reflection");
+      val m = c.getMethod("getCallerClass", Array(classOf[Int]): _*)
+      Some((i: Int) ⇒ m.invoke(null, Array[AnyRef](i.asInstanceOf[java.lang.Integer]): _*).asInstanceOf[Class[_]])
+    } catch {
+      case NonFatal(e) ⇒ None
+    }
+  }
+
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/util/ReflectiveAccess.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/util/ReflectiveAccess.scala
deleted file mode 100644
index 19ad3bc995..0000000000
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/util/ReflectiveAccess.scala
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,126 +0,0 @@
-/**
- * Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Typesafe Inc. <http://www.typesafe.com>
- */
-
-package akka.util
-
-import java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException
-
-object ReflectiveAccess {
-
-  val loader = getClass.getClassLoader
-  val noParams: Array[Class[_]] = Array()
-  val noArgs: Array[AnyRef] = Array()
-
-  def createInstance[T](clazz: Class[_],
-                        params: Array[Class[_]],
-                        args: Array[AnyRef]): Either[Exception, T] = withErrorHandling {
-    assert(clazz ne null)
-    assert(params ne null)
-    assert(args ne null)
-    val ctor = clazz.getDeclaredConstructor(params: _*)
-    ctor.setAccessible(true)
-    Right(ctor.newInstance(args: _*).asInstanceOf[T])
-  }
-
-  def createInstance[T](fqn: String,
-                        params: Array[Class[_]],
-                        args: Array[AnyRef],
-                        classloader: ClassLoader = loader): Either[Exception, T] = withErrorHandling {
-    assert(params ne null)
-    assert(args ne null)
-    getClassFor(fqn, classloader) match {
-      case Right(value) ⇒
-        val ctor = value.getDeclaredConstructor(params: _*)
-        ctor.setAccessible(true)
-        Right(ctor.newInstance(args: _*).asInstanceOf[T])
-      case Left(exception) ⇒ Left(exception) //We could just cast this to Either[Exception, T] but it's ugly
-    }
-  }
-
-  def createInstance[T](clazz: Class[_], args: Seq[(Class[_], AnyRef)]): Either[Exception, T] =
-    createInstance(clazz, args.map(_._1).toArray, args.map(_._2).toArray)
-
-  def createInstance[T](fqcn: String, args: Seq[(Class[_], AnyRef)], classloader: ClassLoader): Either[Exception, T] =
-    createInstance(fqcn, args.map(_._1).toArray, args.map(_._2).toArray, classloader)
-
-  def createInstance[T](fqcn: String, args: Seq[(Class[_], AnyRef)]): Either[Exception, T] =
-    createInstance(fqcn, args.map(_._1).toArray, args.map(_._2).toArray, loader)
-
-  //Obtains a reference to fqn.MODULE$
-  def getObjectFor[T](fqn: String, classloader: ClassLoader = loader): Either[Exception, T] = try {
-    getClassFor(fqn, classloader) match {
-      case Right(value) ⇒
-        val instance = value.getDeclaredField("MODULE$")
-        instance.setAccessible(true)
-        val obj = instance.get(null)
-        if (obj eq null) Left(new NullPointerException) else Right(obj.asInstanceOf[T])
-      case Left(exception) ⇒ Left(exception) //We could just cast this to Either[Exception, T] but it's ugly
-    }
-  } catch {
-    case e: Exception ⇒
-      Left(e)
-  }
-
-  def getClassFor[T](fqn: String, classloader: ClassLoader = loader): Either[Exception, Class[T]] = try {
-    assert(fqn ne null)
-
-    // First, use the specified CL
-    val first = try {
-      Right(classloader.loadClass(fqn).asInstanceOf[Class[T]])
-    } catch {
-      case c: ClassNotFoundException ⇒ Left(c)
-    }
-
-    if (first.isRight) first
-    else {
-      // Second option is to use the ContextClassLoader
-      val second = try {
-        Right(Thread.currentThread.getContextClassLoader.loadClass(fqn).asInstanceOf[Class[T]])
-      } catch {
-        case c: ClassNotFoundException ⇒ Left(c)
-      }
-
-      if (second.isRight) second
-      else {
-        val third = try {
-          if (classloader ne loader) Right(loader.loadClass(fqn).asInstanceOf[Class[T]]) else Left(null) //Horrid
-        } catch {
-          case c: ClassNotFoundException ⇒ Left(c)
-        }
-
-        if (third.isRight) third
-        else {
-          try {
-            Right(Class.forName(fqn).asInstanceOf[Class[T]]) // Last option is Class.forName
-          } catch {
-            case c: ClassNotFoundException ⇒ Left(c)
-          }
-        }
-      }
-    }
-  } catch {
-    case e: Exception ⇒ Left(e)
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Caught exception is returned as Left(exception).
-   * Unwraps `InvocationTargetException` if its getTargetException is an `Exception`.
-   * Other `Throwable`, such as `Error` is thrown.
-   */
-  @inline
-  private final def withErrorHandling[T](body: ⇒ Either[Exception, T]): Either[Exception, T] = {
-    try {
-      body
-    } catch {
-      case e: InvocationTargetException ⇒ e.getTargetException match {
-        case t: Exception ⇒ Left(t)
-        case t            ⇒ throw t
-      }
-      case e: Exception ⇒
-        Left(e)
-    }
-  }
-
-}
-
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/test/scala/akka/cluster/AccrualFailureDetectorSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/test/scala/akka/cluster/AccrualFailureDetectorSpec.scala
index f611fc9812..4aab105273 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/test/scala/akka/cluster/AccrualFailureDetectorSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/test/scala/akka/cluster/AccrualFailureDetectorSpec.scala
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ class AccrualFailureDetectorSpec extends AkkaSpec("""
 """) {
 
   "An AccrualFailureDetector" must {
-    val conn = Address("akka", "", Some("localhost"), Some(2552))
+    val conn = Address("akka", "", "localhost", 2552)
 
     "mark node as available after a series of successful heartbeats" in {
       val fd = new AccrualFailureDetector(system)
diff --git a/akka-docs/dev/multi-jvm-testing.rst b/akka-docs/dev/multi-jvm-testing.rst
index 85b8ae5027..18154b6c27 100644
--- a/akka-docs/dev/multi-jvm-testing.rst
+++ b/akka-docs/dev/multi-jvm-testing.rst
@@ -18,28 +18,46 @@ The multi-JVM testing is an sbt plugin that you can find here:
 
 http://github.com/typesafehub/sbt-multi-jvm
 
-You can add it as a plugin by adding the following to your plugins/build.sbt::
+You can add it as a plugin by adding the following to your project/plugins.sbt::
 
    resolvers += Classpaths.typesafeResolver
 
    addSbtPlugin("com.typesafe.sbtmultijvm" % "sbt-multi-jvm" % "0.1.9")
 
-You can then add multi-JVM testing to a project by including the ``MultiJvm``
+You can then add multi-JVM testing to ``project/Build.scala`` by including the ``MultiJvm``
 settings and config. For example, here is how the akka-remote project adds
 multi-JVM testing::
 
-   import MultiJvmPlugin.{ MultiJvm, extraOptions }
+   import sbt._
+   import Keys._
+   import com.typesafe.sbtmultijvm.MultiJvmPlugin
+   import com.typesafe.sbtmultijvm.MultiJvmPlugin.{ MultiJvm, extraOptions }
 
-   lazy val cluster = Project(
-     id = "akka-remote",
-     base = file("akka-remote"),
-     settings = defaultSettings ++ MultiJvmPlugin.settings ++ Seq(
-       extraOptions in MultiJvm <<= (sourceDirectory in MultiJvm) { src =>
-         (name: String) => (src ** (name + ".conf")).get.headOption.map("-Dconfig.file=" + _.absolutePath).toSeq
-       },
-       test in Test <<= (test in Test) dependsOn (test in MultiJvm)
+   object AkkaBuild extends Build {
+
+     lazy val remote = Project(
+       id = "akka-remote",
+       base = file("akka-remote"),
+       settings = defaultSettings ++ MultiJvmPlugin.settings ++ Seq(
+         extraOptions in MultiJvm <<= (sourceDirectory in MultiJvm) { src =>
+            (name: String) => (src ** (name + ".conf")).get.headOption.map("-Dconfig.file=" + _.absolutePath).toSeq
+         },
+         test in Test <<= (test in Test) dependsOn (test in MultiJvm)
+       )
+     ) configs (MultiJvm)
+
+     lazy val buildSettings = Defaults.defaultSettings ++ Seq(
+       organization := "com.typesafe.akka",
+       version      := "2.0-SNAPSHOT",
+       scalaVersion := "2.9.1",
+       crossPaths   := false
      )
-   ) configs (MultiJvm)
+
+     lazy val defaultSettings = buildSettings ++ Seq(
+       resolvers += "Typesafe Repo" at "http://repo.typesafe.com/typesafe/releases/"
+     )
+
+   }
 
 You can specify JVM options for the forked JVMs::
 
@@ -87,8 +105,8 @@ options after the test names and ``--``. For example:
 Creating application tests
 ==========================
 
-The tests are discovered, and combined, through a naming convention. A test is
-named with the following pattern:
+The tests are discovered, and combined, through a naming convention. MultiJvm tests are
+located in ``src/multi-jvm/scala`` directory. A test is named with the following pattern:
 
 .. code-block:: none
 
diff --git a/akka-docs/general/configuration.rst b/akka-docs/general/configuration.rst
index 3e2bca240d..649a6abc04 100644
--- a/akka-docs/general/configuration.rst
+++ b/akka-docs/general/configuration.rst
@@ -75,6 +75,24 @@ akka-testkit
 .. literalinclude:: ../../akka-testkit/src/main/resources/reference.conf
    :language: none
 
+akka-transactor
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+.. literalinclude:: ../../akka-transactor/src/main/resources/reference.conf
+   :language: none
+
+akka-agent
+~~~~~~~~~~
+
+.. literalinclude:: ../../akka-agent/src/main/resources/reference.conf
+   :language: none
+
+akka-zeromq
+~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+.. literalinclude:: ../../akka-zeromq/src/main/resources/reference.conf
+   :language: none
+
 akka-beanstalk-mailbox
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
diff --git a/akka-docs/general/jmm.rst b/akka-docs/general/jmm.rst
index 7d806f9ac8..3fe94d89db 100644
--- a/akka-docs/general/jmm.rst
+++ b/akka-docs/general/jmm.rst
@@ -45,6 +45,18 @@ To prevent visibility and reordering problems on actors, Akka guarantees the fol
 
 Both rules only apply for the same actor instance and are not valid if different actors are used.
 
+Futures and the Java Memory Model
+---------------------------------
+
+The completion of a Future "happens before" the invocation of any callbacks registered to it are executed.
+
+We recommend not to close over non-final fields (final in Java and val in Scala), and if you *do* choose to close over
+non-final fields, they must be marked *volatile* in order for the current value of the field to be visible to the callback.
+
+If you close over a reference, you must also ensure that the instance that is referred to is thread safe.
+We highly recommend staying away from objects that use locking, since it can introduce performance problems and in the worst case, deadlocks.
+Such are the perils of synchronized.
+
 STM and the Java Memory Model
 -----------------------------
 Akka's Software Transactional Memory (STM) also provides a "happens before" rule:
diff --git a/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/future/FutureDocTestBase.java b/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/future/FutureDocTestBase.java
index b064eb803b..e541c925c1 100644
--- a/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/future/FutureDocTestBase.java
+++ b/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/future/FutureDocTestBase.java
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public class FutureDocTestBase {
     ActorRef actor = system.actorOf(new Props(MyActor.class));
     String msg = "hello";
     //#ask-blocking
-    Timeout timeout = system.settings().ActorTimeout();
+    Timeout timeout = new Timeout(Duration.parse("5 seconds"));
     Future<Object> future = Patterns.ask(actor, msg, timeout);
     String result = (String) Await.result(future, timeout.duration());
     //#ask-blocking
@@ -196,19 +196,17 @@ public class FutureDocTestBase {
     Iterable<Future<Integer>> listOfFutureInts = source;
 
     // now we have a Future[Iterable[Integer]]
-    Future<Iterable<Integer>> futureListOfInts =
-            sequence(listOfFutureInts, system.dispatcher());
+    Future<Iterable<Integer>> futureListOfInts = sequence(listOfFutureInts, system.dispatcher());
 
     // Find the sum of the odd numbers
-    Future<Long> futureSum = futureListOfInts.map(
-      new Mapper<Iterable<Integer>, Long>() {
-          public Long apply(Iterable<Integer> ints) {
-            long sum = 0;
-            for (Integer i : ints)
-              sum += i;
-            return sum;
-          }
-      });
+    Future<Long> futureSum = futureListOfInts.map(new Mapper<Iterable<Integer>, Long>() {
+      public Long apply(Iterable<Integer> ints) {
+        long sum = 0;
+        for (Integer i : ints)
+          sum += i;
+        return sum;
+      }
+    });
 
     long result = Await.result(futureSum, Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
     //#sequence
@@ -221,20 +219,18 @@ public class FutureDocTestBase {
     //Just a sequence of Strings
     Iterable<String> listStrings = Arrays.asList("a", "b", "c");
 
-    Future<Iterable<String>> futureResult = traverse(listStrings,
-            new Function<String, Future<String>>() {
-              public Future<String> apply(final String r) {
-                return future(new Callable<String>() {
-                  public String call() {
-                    return r.toUpperCase();
-                  }
-                }, system.dispatcher());
-              }
-            }, system.dispatcher());
+    Future<Iterable<String>> futureResult = traverse(listStrings, new Function<String, Future<String>>() {
+      public Future<String> apply(final String r) {
+        return future(new Callable<String>() {
+          public String call() {
+            return r.toUpperCase();
+          }
+        }, system.dispatcher());
+      }
+    }, system.dispatcher());
 
     //Returns the sequence of strings as upper case
-    Iterable<String> result =
-      Await.result(futureResult, Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
+    Iterable<String> result = Await.result(futureResult, Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
     assertEquals(Arrays.asList("A", "B", "C"), result);
     //#traverse
   }
@@ -250,12 +246,11 @@ public class FutureDocTestBase {
     Iterable<Future<String>> futures = source;
 
     //Start value is the empty string
-    Future<String> resultFuture = fold("", futures,
-      new Function2<String, String, String>() {
-          public String apply(String r, String t) {
-            return r + t; //Just concatenate
-          }
-        }, system.dispatcher());
+    Future<String> resultFuture = fold("", futures, new Function2<String, String, String>() {
+      public String apply(String r, String t) {
+        return r + t; //Just concatenate
+      }
+    }, system.dispatcher());
     String result = Await.result(resultFuture, Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
     //#fold
 
@@ -272,12 +267,11 @@ public class FutureDocTestBase {
     //A sequence of Futures, in this case Strings
     Iterable<Future<String>> futures = source;
 
-    Future<Object> resultFuture = reduce(futures,
-      new Function2<Object, String, Object>() {
-          public Object apply(Object r, String t) {
-            return r + t; //Just concatenate
-          }
-        }, system.dispatcher());
+    Future<Object> resultFuture = reduce(futures, new Function2<Object, String, Object>() {
+      public Object apply(Object r, String t) {
+        return r + t; //Just concatenate
+      }
+    }, system.dispatcher());
 
     Object result = Await.result(resultFuture, Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
     //#reduce
@@ -285,32 +279,35 @@ public class FutureDocTestBase {
     assertEquals("ab", result);
   }
 
-  @Test public void useSuccessfulAndFailed() {
+  @Test
+  public void useSuccessfulAndFailed() {
     //#successful
     Future<String> future = Futures.successful("Yay!", system.dispatcher());
     //#successful
     //#failed
-    Future<String> otherFuture =
-            Futures.failed(new IllegalArgumentException("Bang!"), system.dispatcher());
+    Future<String> otherFuture = Futures.failed(new IllegalArgumentException("Bang!"), system.dispatcher());
     //#failed
     Object result = Await.result(future, Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
-    assertEquals("Yay!",result);
+    assertEquals("Yay!", result);
     Throwable result2 = Await.result(otherFuture.failed(), Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
-    assertEquals("Bang!",result2.getMessage());
+    assertEquals("Bang!", result2.getMessage());
   }
 
-  @Test public void useFilter() {
-       //#filter
+  @Test
+  public void useFilter() {
+    //#filter
     Future<Integer> future1 = Futures.successful(4, system.dispatcher());
-    Future<Integer> successfulFilter =
-      future1.filter(new Filter<Integer>() {
-        public boolean filter(Integer i) { return i % 2 == 0; }
-      });
+    Future<Integer> successfulFilter = future1.filter(new Filter<Integer>() {
+      public boolean filter(Integer i) {
+        return i % 2 == 0;
+      }
+    });
 
-    Future<Integer> failedFilter =
-      future1.filter(new Filter<Integer>() {
-        public boolean filter(Integer i) { return i % 2 != 0; }
-      });
+    Future<Integer> failedFilter = future1.filter(new Filter<Integer>() {
+      public boolean filter(Integer i) {
+        return i % 2 != 0;
+      }
+    });
     //When filter fails, the returned Future will be failed with a scala.MatchError
     //#filter
   }
@@ -323,137 +320,140 @@ public class FutureDocTestBase {
 
   }
 
-   @Test public void useAndThen() {
+  @Test
+  public void useAndThen() {
     //#and-then
-    Future<String> future1 = Futures.successful("value", system.dispatcher()).
-       andThen(new OnComplete<String>() {
-       public void onComplete(Throwable failure, String result) {
-           if (failure != null) sendToIssueTracker(failure);
-       }
+    Future<String> future1 = Futures.successful("value", system.dispatcher()).andThen(new OnComplete<String>() {
+      public void onComplete(Throwable failure, String result) {
+        if (failure != null)
+          sendToIssueTracker(failure);
+      }
     }).andThen(new OnComplete<String>() {
-       public void onComplete(Throwable failure, String result) {
-           if (result != null) sendToTheInternetz(result);
-       }
+      public void onComplete(Throwable failure, String result) {
+        if (result != null)
+          sendToTheInternetz(result);
+      }
     });
     //#and-then
   }
 
-  @Test public void useRecover() {
+  @Test
+  public void useRecover() {
     //#recover
     Future<Integer> future = future(new Callable<Integer>() {
       public Integer call() {
         return 1 / 0;
       }
     }, system.dispatcher()).recover(new Recover<Integer>() {
-        public Integer recover(Throwable problem) throws Throwable {
-            if (problem instanceof ArithmeticException) return 0;
-            else throw problem;
-        }
+      public Integer recover(Throwable problem) throws Throwable {
+        if (problem instanceof ArithmeticException)
+          return 0;
+        else
+          throw problem;
+      }
     });
     int result = Await.result(future, Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
     assertEquals(result, 0);
     //#recover
   }
 
-  @Test public void useTryRecover() {
+  @Test
+  public void useTryRecover() {
     //#try-recover
     Future<Integer> future = future(new Callable<Integer>() {
       public Integer call() {
         return 1 / 0;
       }
     }, system.dispatcher()).recoverWith(new Recover<Future<Integer>>() {
-        public Future<Integer> recover(Throwable problem) throws Throwable {
-            if (problem instanceof ArithmeticException) {
-                return future(new Callable<Integer>() {
-                  public Integer call() {
-                    return 0;
-                  }
-                }, system.dispatcher());
+      public Future<Integer> recover(Throwable problem) throws Throwable {
+        if (problem instanceof ArithmeticException) {
+          return future(new Callable<Integer>() {
+            public Integer call() {
+              return 0;
             }
-            else throw problem;
-        }
+          }, system.dispatcher());
+        } else
+          throw problem;
+      }
     });
     int result = Await.result(future, Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
     assertEquals(result, 0);
     //#try-recover
   }
 
-  @Test public void useOnSuccessOnFailureAndOnComplete() {
-      {
+  @Test
+  public void useOnSuccessOnFailureAndOnComplete() {
+    {
       Future<String> future = Futures.successful("foo", system.dispatcher());
+
       //#onSuccess
       future.onSuccess(new OnSuccess<String>() {
-          public void onSuccess(String result) {
-              if ("bar" == result) {
-                  //Do something if it resulted in "bar"
-              } else {
-                  //Do something if it was some other String
-              }
+        public void onSuccess(String result) {
+          if ("bar" == result) {
+            //Do something if it resulted in "bar"
+          } else {
+            //Do something if it was some other String
           }
+        }
       });
       //#onSuccess
-      }
-      {
-        Future<String> future =
-                Futures.failed(new IllegalStateException("OHNOES"), system.dispatcher());
-        //#onFailure
-      future.onFailure( new OnFailure() {
+    }
+    {
+      Future<String> future = Futures.failed(new IllegalStateException("OHNOES"), system.dispatcher());
+      //#onFailure
+      future.onFailure(new OnFailure() {
         public void onFailure(Throwable failure) {
-            if (failure instanceof IllegalStateException) {
-                //Do something if it was this particular failure
-            } else {
-                //Do something if it was some other failure
-            }
+          if (failure instanceof IllegalStateException) {
+            //Do something if it was this particular failure
+          } else {
+            //Do something if it was some other failure
+          }
         }
       });
       //#onFailure
-      }
-      {
-        Future<String> future = Futures.successful("foo", system.dispatcher());
-        //#onComplete
-        future.onComplete(new OnComplete<String>() {
-           public void onComplete(Throwable failure, String result) {
-               if (failure != null) {
-                   //We got a failure, handle it here
-               } else {
-                   // We got a result, do something with it
-               }
-           }
-        });
-        //#onComplete
-      }
+    }
+    {
+      Future<String> future = Futures.successful("foo", system.dispatcher());
+      //#onComplete
+      future.onComplete(new OnComplete<String>() {
+        public void onComplete(Throwable failure, String result) {
+          if (failure != null) {
+            //We got a failure, handle it here
+          } else {
+            // We got a result, do something with it
+          }
+        }
+      });
+      //#onComplete
+    }
   }
 
-  @Test public void useOrAndZip(){
+  @Test
+  public void useOrAndZip() {
     {
-    //#zip
-    Future<String> future1 = Futures.successful("foo", system.dispatcher());
-    Future<String> future2 = Futures.successful("bar", system.dispatcher());
-    Future<String> future3 =
-      future1.zip(future2).map(new Mapper<scala.Tuple2<String,String>, String>() {
-        public String apply(scala.Tuple2<String,String> zipped) {
-            return zipped._1() + " " + zipped._2();
+      //#zip
+      Future<String> future1 = Futures.successful("foo", system.dispatcher());
+      Future<String> future2 = Futures.successful("bar", system.dispatcher());
+      Future<String> future3 = future1.zip(future2).map(new Mapper<scala.Tuple2<String, String>, String>() {
+        public String apply(scala.Tuple2<String, String> zipped) {
+          return zipped._1() + " " + zipped._2();
         }
-    });
+      });
 
-    String result = Await.result(future3,  Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
-    assertEquals("foo bar", result);
-    //#zip
+      String result = Await.result(future3, Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
+      assertEquals("foo bar", result);
+      //#zip
     }
 
     {
-        //#fallback-to
-        Future<String> future1 =
-                Futures.failed(new IllegalStateException("OHNOES1"), system.dispatcher());
-        Future<String> future2 =
-                Futures.failed(new IllegalStateException("OHNOES2"), system.dispatcher());
-        Future<String> future3 =
-                Futures.successful("bar", system.dispatcher());
-        Future<String> future4 =
-                future1.fallbackTo(future2).fallbackTo(future3); // Will have "bar" in this case
-        String result = Await.result(future4,  Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
-        assertEquals("bar", result);
-        //#fallback-to
+      //#fallback-to
+      Future<String> future1 = Futures.failed(new IllegalStateException("OHNOES1"), system.dispatcher());
+      Future<String> future2 = Futures.failed(new IllegalStateException("OHNOES2"), system.dispatcher());
+      Future<String> future3 = Futures.successful("bar", system.dispatcher());
+      Future<String> future4 = future1.fallbackTo(future2).fallbackTo(future3); // Will have "bar" in this case
+      String result = Await.result(future4, Duration.create(1, SECONDS));
+      assertEquals("bar", result);
+      //#fallback-to
     }
 
   }
diff --git a/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/jrouting/CustomRouterDocTestBase.java b/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/jrouting/CustomRouterDocTestBase.java
index 2a2e5c7f22..a20a351f06 100644
--- a/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/jrouting/CustomRouterDocTestBase.java
+++ b/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/jrouting/CustomRouterDocTestBase.java
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import akka.util.Duration;
 import akka.util.Timeout;
 import akka.dispatch.Await;
 import akka.dispatch.Future;
+import akka.dispatch.Dispatchers;
 import akka.testkit.AkkaSpec;
 import com.typesafe.config.ConfigFactory;
 import static akka.pattern.Patterns.ask;
@@ -38,6 +39,19 @@ public class CustomRouterDocTestBase {
   public void tearDown() {
     system.shutdown();
   }
+  
+  public static class MyActor extends UntypedActor {
+    @Override public void onReceive(Object o) {}
+  }
+  
+  @Test
+  public void demonstrateDispatchers() {
+    //#dispatchers
+    final ActorRef router = system.actorOf(new Props(MyActor.class)
+      .withRouter(new RoundRobinRouter(5).withDispatcher("head")) // “head” router runs on "head" dispatcher
+      .withDispatcher("workers")); // MyActor “workers” run on "workers" dispatcher
+    //#dispatchers
+  }
 
   //#crTest
   @Test
@@ -105,6 +119,10 @@ public class CustomRouterDocTestBase {
 
   //#crRouter
   public static class VoteCountRouter extends CustomRouterConfig {
+    
+    @Override public String routerDispatcher() {
+      return Dispatchers.DefaultDispatcherId();
+    }
 
     //#crRoute
     @Override
diff --git a/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/jrouting/ParentActor.java b/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/jrouting/ParentActor.java
index 1119559489..cf1e2b9cee 100644
--- a/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/jrouting/ParentActor.java
+++ b/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/jrouting/ParentActor.java
@@ -54,9 +54,9 @@ public class ParentActor extends UntypedActor {
       ActorRef scatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter = getContext().actorOf(
           new Props(FibonacciActor.class).withRouter(new ScatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter(5, Duration
               .parse("2 seconds"))), "router");
-      Timeout timeout = getContext().system().settings().ActorTimeout();
-      Future<Object> futureResult = akka.pattern.Patterns.ask(
-          scatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter, new FibonacciActor.FibonacciNumber(10), timeout);
+      Timeout timeout = new Timeout(Duration.parse("5 seconds"));
+      Future<Object> futureResult = akka.pattern.Patterns.ask(scatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter,
+          new FibonacciActor.FibonacciNumber(10), timeout);
       int result = (Integer) Await.result(futureResult, timeout.duration());
       //#scatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter
       System.out.println(String.format("The result of calculating Fibonacci for 10 is %d", result));
diff --git a/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/serialization/SerializationDocTestBase.java b/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/serialization/SerializationDocTestBase.java
index 3db385ca1c..fa0f5fcce3 100644
--- a/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/serialization/SerializationDocTestBase.java
+++ b/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/serialization/SerializationDocTestBase.java
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
  */
 package akka.docs.serialization;
 
+import akka.japi.Option;
 import akka.serialization.JSerializer;
 import akka.serialization.Serialization;
 import akka.serialization.SerializationExtension;
@@ -43,10 +44,8 @@ public class SerializationDocTestBase {
 
       // "fromBinary" deserializes the given array,
       // using the type hint (if any, see "includeManifest" above)
-      // into the optionally provided classLoader.
-      @Override public Object fromBinary(byte[] bytes,
-                     Class clazz,
-                     ClassLoader classLoader) {
+      @Override public Object fromBinaryJava(byte[] bytes,
+                     Class<?> clazz) {
         // Put your code that deserializes here
         //#...
         return null;
diff --git a/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTest.scala b/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTest.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a9747959e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTest.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Typesafe Inc. <http://www.typesafe.com>
+ */
+package akka.docs.zeromq
+
+import org.scalatest.junit.JUnitSuite
+
+class ZeromqDocTest extends ZeromqDocTestBase with JUnitSuite
diff --git a/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java b/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ee8252a6ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/akka-docs/java/code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java
@@ -0,0 +1,286 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Typesafe Inc. <http://www.typesafe.com>
+ */
+package akka.docs.zeromq;
+
+//#pub-socket
+import akka.zeromq.Bind;
+import akka.zeromq.ZeroMQExtension;
+
+//#pub-socket
+//#sub-socket
+import akka.zeromq.Connect;
+import akka.zeromq.Listener;
+import akka.zeromq.Subscribe;
+
+//#sub-socket
+//#unsub-topic-socket
+import akka.zeromq.Unsubscribe;
+
+//#unsub-topic-socket
+//#pub-topic
+import akka.zeromq.Frame;
+import akka.zeromq.ZMQMessage;
+
+//#pub-topic
+
+import akka.zeromq.HighWatermark;
+import akka.zeromq.SocketOption;
+import akka.zeromq.ZeroMQVersion;
+
+//#health
+import akka.actor.ActorRef;
+import akka.actor.UntypedActor;
+import akka.actor.Props;
+import akka.event.Logging;
+import akka.event.LoggingAdapter;
+import akka.util.Duration;
+import akka.serialization.SerializationExtension;
+import akka.serialization.Serialization;
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.lang.management.ManagementFactory;
+//#health
+
+import com.typesafe.config.ConfigFactory;
+
+import java.lang.management.MemoryMXBean;
+import java.lang.management.MemoryUsage;
+import java.lang.management.OperatingSystemMXBean;
+import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
+import java.util.Date;
+import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
+
+import akka.actor.ActorSystem;
+import akka.testkit.AkkaSpec;
+
+import org.junit.After;
+import org.junit.Before;
+import org.junit.Test;
+import org.junit.Assume;
+
+import akka.zeromq.SocketType;
+
+public class ZeromqDocTestBase {
+
+  ActorSystem system;
+
+  @Before
+  public void setUp() {
+    system = ActorSystem.create("ZeromqDocTest",
+        ConfigFactory.parseString("akka.loglevel=INFO").withFallback(AkkaSpec.testConf()));
+  }
+
+  @After
+  public void tearDown() {
+    system.shutdown();
+  }
+
+  @Test
+  public void demonstrateCreateSocket() {
+    Assume.assumeTrue(checkZeroMQInstallation());
+
+    //#pub-socket
+    ActorRef pubSocket = ZeroMQExtension.get(system).newPubSocket(new Bind("tcp://127.0.0.1:1233"));
+    //#pub-socket
+
+    //#sub-socket
+    ActorRef listener = system.actorOf(new Props(ListenerActor.class));
+    ActorRef subSocket = ZeroMQExtension.get(system).newSubSocket(new Connect("tcp://127.0.0.1:1233"),
+        new Listener(listener), Subscribe.all());
+    //#sub-socket
+
+    //#sub-topic-socket
+    ActorRef subTopicSocket = ZeroMQExtension.get(system).newSubSocket(new Connect("tcp://127.0.0.1:1233"),
+        new Listener(listener), new Subscribe("foo.bar"));
+    //#sub-topic-socket
+
+    //#unsub-topic-socket
+    subTopicSocket.tell(new Unsubscribe("foo.bar"));
+    //#unsub-topic-socket
+
+    byte[] payload = new byte[0];
+    //#pub-topic
+    pubSocket.tell(new ZMQMessage(new Frame("foo.bar"), new Frame(payload)));
+    //#pub-topic
+
+    //#high-watermark
+    ActorRef highWatermarkSocket = ZeroMQExtension.get(system).newRouterSocket(
+        new SocketOption[] { new Listener(listener), new Bind("tcp://127.0.0.1:1233"), new HighWatermark(50000) });
+    //#high-watermark
+  }
+
+  @Test
+  public void demonstratePubSub() throws Exception {
+    Assume.assumeTrue(checkZeroMQInstallation());
+
+    //#health2
+
+    system.actorOf(new Props(HealthProbe.class), "health");
+    //#health2
+
+    //#logger2
+
+    system.actorOf(new Props(Logger.class), "logger");
+    //#logger2
+
+    //#alerter2
+
+    system.actorOf(new Props(HeapAlerter.class), "alerter");
+    //#alerter2
+
+    // Let it run for a while to see some output.
+    // Don't do like this in real tests, this is only doc demonstration.
+    Thread.sleep(3000L);
+  }
+
+  private boolean checkZeroMQInstallation() {
+    try {
+      ZeroMQVersion v = ZeroMQExtension.get(system).version();
+      return (v.major() == 2 && v.minor() == 1);
+    } catch (LinkageError e) {
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  //#listener-actor
+  public static class ListenerActor extends UntypedActor {
+    public void onReceive(Object message) throws Exception {
+      //...
+    }
+  }
+
+  //#listener-actor
+
+  //#health
+
+  public static final Object TICK = "TICK";
+
+  public static class Heap implements Serializable {
+    public final long timestamp;
+    public final long used;
+    public final long max;
+
+    public Heap(long timestamp, long used, long max) {
+      this.timestamp = timestamp;
+      this.used = used;
+      this.max = max;
+    }
+  }
+
+  public static class Load implements Serializable {
+    public final long timestamp;
+    public final double loadAverage;
+
+    public Load(long timestamp, double loadAverage) {
+      this.timestamp = timestamp;
+      this.loadAverage = loadAverage;
+    }
+  }
+
+  public static class HealthProbe extends UntypedActor {
+
+    ActorRef pubSocket = ZeroMQExtension.get(getContext().system()).newPubSocket(new Bind("tcp://127.0.0.1:1237"));
+    MemoryMXBean memory = ManagementFactory.getMemoryMXBean();
+    OperatingSystemMXBean os = ManagementFactory.getOperatingSystemMXBean();
+    Serialization ser = SerializationExtension.get(getContext().system());
+
+    @Override
+    public void preStart() {
+      getContext().system().scheduler()
+          .schedule(Duration.parse("1 second"), Duration.parse("1 second"), getSelf(), TICK);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void postRestart(Throwable reason) {
+      // don't call preStart, only schedule once
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void onReceive(Object message) {
+      if (message.equals(TICK)) {
+        MemoryUsage currentHeap = memory.getHeapMemoryUsage();
+        long timestamp = System.currentTimeMillis();
+
+        // use akka SerializationExtension to convert to bytes
+        byte[] heapPayload = ser.serializerFor(Heap.class).toBinary(
+            new Heap(timestamp, currentHeap.getUsed(), currentHeap.getMax()));
+        // the first frame is the topic, second is the message
+        pubSocket.tell(new ZMQMessage(new Frame("health.heap"), new Frame(heapPayload)));
+
+        // use akka SerializationExtension to convert to bytes
+        byte[] loadPayload = ser.serializerFor(Load.class).toBinary(new Load(timestamp, os.getSystemLoadAverage()));
+        // the first frame is the topic, second is the message
+        pubSocket.tell(new ZMQMessage(new Frame("health.load"), new Frame(loadPayload)));
+      } else {
+        unhandled(message);
+      }
+    }
+
+  }
+
+  //#health
+
+  //#logger
+  public static class Logger extends UntypedActor {
+
+    ActorRef subSocket = ZeroMQExtension.get(getContext().system()).newSubSocket(new Connect("tcp://127.0.0.1:1237"),
+        new Listener(getSelf()), new Subscribe("health"));
+    Serialization ser = SerializationExtension.get(getContext().system());
+    SimpleDateFormat timestampFormat = new SimpleDateFormat("HH:mm:ss.SSS");
+    LoggingAdapter log = Logging.getLogger(getContext().system(), this);
+
+    @Override
+    public void onReceive(Object message) {
+      if (message instanceof ZMQMessage) {
+        ZMQMessage m = (ZMQMessage) message;
+        // the first frame is the topic, second is the message
+        if (m.firstFrameAsString().equals("health.heap")) {
+          Heap heap = (Heap) ser.serializerFor(Heap.class).fromBinary(m.payload(1));
+          log.info("Used heap {} bytes, at {}", heap.used, timestampFormat.format(new Date(heap.timestamp)));
+        } else if (m.firstFrameAsString().equals("health.load")) {
+          Load load = (Load) ser.serializerFor(Load.class).fromBinary(m.payload(1));
+          log.info("Load average {}, at {}", load.loadAverage, timestampFormat.format(new Date(load.timestamp)));
+        }
+      } else {
+        unhandled(message);
+      }
+    }
+
+  }
+
+  //#logger
+
+  //#alerter
+  public static class HeapAlerter extends UntypedActor {
+
+    ActorRef subSocket = ZeroMQExtension.get(getContext().system()).newSubSocket(new Connect("tcp://127.0.0.1:1237"),
+        new Listener(getSelf()), new Subscribe("health.heap"));
+    Serialization ser = SerializationExtension.get(getContext().system());
+    LoggingAdapter log = Logging.getLogger(getContext().system(), this);
+    int count = 0;
+
+    @Override
+    public void onReceive(Object message) {
+      if (message instanceof ZMQMessage) {
+        ZMQMessage m = (ZMQMessage) message;
+        // the first frame is the topic, second is the message
+        if (m.firstFrameAsString().equals("health.heap")) {
+          Heap heap = (Heap) ser.serializerFor(Heap.class).fromBinary(m.payload(1));
+          if (((double) heap.used / heap.max) > 0.9) {
+            count += 1;
+          } else {
+            count = 0;
+          }
+          if (count > 10) {
+            log.warning("Need more memory, using {} %", (100.0 * heap.used / heap.max));
+          }
+        }
+      } else {
+        unhandled(message);
+      }
+    }
+
+  }
+  //#alerter
+
+}
diff --git a/akka-docs/java/index.rst b/akka-docs/java/index.rst
index 319dbab302..9ed521e5e7 100644
--- a/akka-docs/java/index.rst
+++ b/akka-docs/java/index.rst
@@ -23,3 +23,4 @@ Java API
    transactors
    fsm
    extending-akka
+   zeromq
diff --git a/akka-docs/java/routing.rst b/akka-docs/java/routing.rst
index a422900440..265e31a984 100644
--- a/akka-docs/java/routing.rst
+++ b/akka-docs/java/routing.rst
@@ -8,11 +8,6 @@ Routing (Java)
 
    .. contents:: :local:
 
-Akka-core includes some building blocks to build more complex message flow handlers, they are listed and explained below:
-
-Router
-------
-
 A Router is an actor that routes incoming messages to outbound actors.
 The router routes the messages sent to it to its underlying actors called 'routees'.
 
@@ -249,6 +244,16 @@ This is an example of how to programatically create a resizable router:
 *It is also worth pointing out that if you define the ``router`` in the configuration file then this value
 will be used instead of any programmatically sent parameters.*
 
+.. note::
+
+  Resizing is triggered by sending messages to the actor pool, but it is not
+  completed synchronously; instead a message is sent to the “head”
+  :class:`Router` to perform the size change. Thus you cannot rely on resizing
+  to instantaneously create new workers when all others are busy, because the
+  message just sent will be queued to the mailbox of a busy actor. To remedy
+  this, configure the pool to use a balancing dispatcher, see `Configuring
+  Dispatchers`_ for more information.
+
 Custom Router
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
@@ -312,3 +317,23 @@ A router with dynamically resizable number of routees is implemented by providin
 in ``resizer`` method of the ``RouterConfig``. See ``akka.routing.DefaultResizer`` for inspiration
 of how to write your own resize strategy.
 
+Configuring Dispatchers
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+The dispatcher for created children of the router will be taken from
+:class:`Props` as described in :ref:`dispatchers-java`. For a dynamic pool it
+makes sense to configure the :class:`BalancingDispatcher` if the precise
+routing is not so important (i.e. no consistent hashing or round-robin is
+required); this enables newly created routees to pick up work immediately by
+stealing it from their siblings.
+
+The “head” router, of couse, cannot run on the same balancing dispatcher,
+because it does not process the same messages, hence this special actor does
+not use the dispatcher configured in :class:`Props`, but takes the
+``routerDispatcher`` from the :class:`RouterConfig` instead, which defaults to
+the actor system’s default dispatcher. All standard routers allow setting this
+property in their constructor or factory method, custom routers have to
+implement the method in a suitable way.
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/jrouting/CustomRouterDocTestBase.java#dispatchers
+
diff --git a/akka-docs/java/serialization.rst b/akka-docs/java/serialization.rst
index e44d69f162..e4815d0ea2 100644
--- a/akka-docs/java/serialization.rst
+++ b/akka-docs/java/serialization.rst
@@ -103,3 +103,15 @@ which is done by extending ``akka.serialization.JSerializer``, like this:
 
 Then you only need to fill in the blanks, bind it to a name in your :ref:`configuration` and then
 list which classes that should be serialized using it.
+
+A Word About Java Serialization
+===============================
+
+When using Java serialization without employing the :class:`JavaSerializer` for
+the task, you must make sure to supply a valid :class:`ExtendedActorSystem` in
+the dynamic variable ``JavaSerializer.currentSystem``. This is used when
+reading in the representation of an :class:`ActorRef` for turning the string
+representation into a real reference. :class:`DynamicVariable` is a
+thread-local variable, so be sure to have it set while deserializing anything
+which might contain actor references.
+
diff --git a/akka-docs/java/zeromq.rst b/akka-docs/java/zeromq.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e24dd28796
--- /dev/null
+++ b/akka-docs/java/zeromq.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+
+.. _zeromq-java:
+
+###############
+ ZeroMQ (Java)
+###############
+
+.. sidebar:: Contents
+
+   .. contents:: :local:
+
+Akka provides a ZeroMQ module which abstracts a ZeroMQ connection and therefore allows interaction between Akka actors to take place over ZeroMQ connections. The messages can be of a proprietary format or they can be defined using Protobuf. The socket actor is fault-tolerant by default and when you use the newSocket method to create new sockets it will properly reinitialize the socket.
+
+ZeroMQ is very opinionated when it comes to multi-threading so configuration option `akka.zeromq.socket-dispatcher` always needs to be configured to a PinnedDispatcher, because the actual ZeroMQ socket can only be accessed by the thread that created it.
+
+The ZeroMQ module for Akka is written against an API introduced in JZMQ, which uses JNI to interact with the native ZeroMQ library. Instead of using JZMQ, the module uses ZeroMQ binding for Scala that uses the native ZeroMQ library through JNA. In other words, the only native library that this module requires is the native ZeroMQ library.
+The benefit of the scala library is that you don't need to compile and manage native dependencies at the cost of some runtime performance. The scala-bindings are compatible with the JNI bindings so they are a drop-in replacement, in case you really need to get that extra bit of performance out.
+
+Connection
+==========
+
+ZeroMQ supports multiple connectivity patterns, each aimed to meet a different set of requirements. Currently, this module supports publisher-subscriber connections and connections based on dealers and routers. For connecting or accepting connections, a socket must be created.
+Sockets are always created using the ``akka.zeromq.ZeroMQExtension``, for example:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#pub-socket
+
+Above examples will create a ZeroMQ Publisher socket that is Bound to the port 1233 on localhost.
+
+Similarly you can create a subscription socket, with a listener, that subscribes to all messages from the publisher using:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#sub-socket
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#listener-actor
+
+The following sub-sections describe the supported connection patterns and how they can be used in an Akka environment. However, for a comprehensive discussion of connection patterns, please refer to `ZeroMQ -- The Guide <http://zguide.zeromq.org/page:all>`_.
+
+Publisher-subscriber connection
+-------------------------------
+
+In a publisher-subscriber (pub-sub) connection, the publisher accepts one or more subscribers. Each subscriber shall
+subscribe to one or more topics, whereas the publisher publishes messages to a set of topics. Also, a subscriber can
+subscribe to all available topics. In an Akka environment, pub-sub connections shall be used when an actor sends messages
+to one or more actors that do not interact with the actor that sent the message.
+
+When you're using zeromq pub/sub you should be aware that it needs multicast - check your cloud - to work properly and that the filtering of events for topics happens client side, so all events are always broadcasted to every subscriber.
+
+An actor is subscribed to a topic as follows:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#sub-topic-socket
+
+It is a prefix match so it is subscribed to all topics starting with ``foo.bar``. Note that if the given string is empty or
+``Subscribe.all()`` is used, the actor is subscribed to all topics.
+
+To unsubscribe from a topic you do the following:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#unsub-topic-socket
+
+To publish messages to a topic you must use two Frames with the topic in the first frame.
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#pub-topic
+
+Pub-Sub in Action
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+The following example illustrates one publisher with two subscribers.
+
+The publisher monitors current heap usage and system load and periodically publishes ``Heap`` events on the ``"health.heap"`` topic
+and ``Load`` events on the ``"health.load"`` topic.
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#health
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#health2
+
+Let's add one subscriber that logs the information. It subscribes to all topics starting with ``"health"``, i.e. both ``Heap`` and
+``Load`` events.
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#logger
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#logger2
+
+Another subscriber keep track of used heap and warns if too much heap is used. It only subscribes to ``Heap`` events.
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#alerter
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#alerter2
+
+Router-Dealer connection
+------------------------
+
+While Pub/Sub is nice the real advantage of zeromq is that it is a "lego-box" for reliable messaging. And because there are so many integrations the multi-language support is fantastic.
+When you're using ZeroMQ to integrate many systems you'll probably need to build your own ZeroMQ devices. This is where the router and dealer socket types come in handy.
+With those socket types you can build your own reliable pub sub broker that uses TCP/IP and does publisher side filtering of events.
+
+To create a Router socket that has a high watermark configured, you would do:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocTestBase.java#high-watermark
+
+The akka-zeromq module accepts most if not all the available configuration options for a zeromq socket.
diff --git a/akka-docs/modules/code/Global.scala b/akka-docs/modules/code/Global.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..021e30d5b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/akka-docs/modules/code/Global.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Typesafe Inc. <http://www.typesafe.com>
+ */
+//#global
+object Global extends com.typesafe.play.mini.Setup(akka.docs.http.PlayMiniApplication)
+//#global
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/akka-docs/modules/code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala b/akka-docs/modules/code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..15c0de0ac5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/akka-docs/modules/code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Typesafe Inc. <http://www.typesafe.com>
+ */
+package akka.docs.http
+
+//#imports
+import com.typesafe.play.mini.{ POST, GET, Path, Application }
+import play.api.mvc.{ Action, AsyncResult }
+import play.api.mvc.Results._
+import play.api.libs.concurrent._
+import play.api.data._
+import play.api.data.Forms._
+import akka.pattern.ask
+import akka.util.Timeout
+import akka.util.duration._
+import akka.actor.{ ActorSystem, Props, Actor }
+import scala.collection.mutable.{ Map ⇒ MutableMap }
+//#imports
+
+//#playMiniDefinition
+object PlayMiniApplication extends Application {
+  //#playMiniDefinition
+  private val system = ActorSystem("sample")
+  //#regexURI
+  private final val StatementPattern = """/account/statement/(\w+)""".r
+  //#regexURI
+  private lazy val accountActor = system.actorOf(Props[AccountActor])
+  implicit val timeout = Timeout(1000 milliseconds)
+
+  //#route
+  def route = {
+    //#routeLogic
+    //#simpleGET
+    case GET(Path("/ping")) ⇒ Action {
+      Ok("Pong @ " + System.currentTimeMillis)
+    }
+    //#simpleGET
+    //#regexGET
+    case GET(Path(StatementPattern(accountId))) ⇒ Action {
+      AsyncResult {
+        //#innerRegexGET
+        (accountActor ask Status(accountId)).mapTo[Int].asPromise.map { r ⇒
+          if (r >= 0) Ok("Account total: " + r)
+          else BadRequest("Unknown account: " + accountId)
+        }
+        //#innerRegexGET
+      }
+    }
+    //#regexGET
+    //#asyncDepositPOST
+    case POST(Path("/account/deposit")) ⇒ Action { implicit request ⇒
+      //#formAsyncDepositPOST
+      val (accountId, amount) = commonForm.bindFromRequest.get
+      //#formAsyncDepositPOST
+      AsyncResult {
+        (accountActor ask Deposit(accountId, amount)).mapTo[Int].asPromise.map { r ⇒ Ok("Updated account total: " + r) }
+      }
+    }
+    //#asyncDepositPOST
+    //#asyncWithdrawPOST
+    case POST(Path("/account/withdraw")) ⇒ Action { implicit request ⇒
+      val (accountId, amount) = commonForm.bindFromRequest.get
+      AsyncResult {
+        (accountActor ask Withdraw(accountId, amount)).mapTo[Int].asPromise.map { r ⇒
+          if (r >= 0) Ok("Updated account total: " + r)
+          else BadRequest("Unknown account or insufficient funds. Get your act together.")
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    //#asyncWithdrawPOST
+    //#routeLogic
+  }
+  //#route
+
+  //#form
+  val commonForm = Form(
+    tuple(
+      "accountId" -> nonEmptyText,
+      "amount" -> number(min = 1)))
+  //#form
+}
+
+//#cases
+case class Status(accountId: String)
+case class Deposit(accountId: String, amount: Int)
+case class Withdraw(accountId: String, amount: Int)
+//#cases
+
+//#actor
+class AccountActor extends Actor {
+  var accounts = MutableMap[String, Int]()
+
+  //#receive
+  def receive = {
+    //#senderBang
+    case Status(accountId)           ⇒ sender ! accounts.getOrElse(accountId, -1)
+    //#senderBang
+    case Deposit(accountId, amount)  ⇒ sender ! deposit(accountId, amount)
+    case Withdraw(accountId, amount) ⇒ sender ! withdraw(accountId, amount)
+  }
+  //#receive
+
+  private def deposit(accountId: String, amount: Int): Int = {
+    accounts.get(accountId) match {
+      case Some(value) ⇒
+        val newValue = value + amount
+        accounts += accountId -> newValue
+        newValue
+      case None ⇒
+        accounts += accountId -> amount
+        amount
+    }
+  }
+
+  private def withdraw(accountId: String, amount: Int): Int = {
+    accounts.get(accountId) match {
+      case Some(value) ⇒
+        if (value < amount) -1
+        else {
+          val newValue = value - amount
+          accounts += accountId -> newValue
+          newValue
+        }
+      case None ⇒ -1
+    }
+  }
+  //#actor
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/akka-docs/modules/http.rst b/akka-docs/modules/http.rst
index 8388d65702..97978ed5f5 100644
--- a/akka-docs/modules/http.rst
+++ b/akka-docs/modules/http.rst
@@ -7,8 +7,194 @@ HTTP
 
    .. contents:: :local:
 
-Play!
------
+Play2-mini
+----------
 
+The Akka team recommends the `Play2-mini <https://github.com/typesafehub/play2-mini>`_ framework when building RESTful
+service applications that integrates with Akka. It provides a REST API on top of `Play2 <https://github.com/playframework/Play20/>`_.
 
-Akka will recommend using `Play! Mini <https://github.com/typesafehub/play2-mini>`_
+Getting started
+---------------
+
+First you must make your application aware of play-mini.
+In SBT you just have to add the following to your _libraryDependencies_::
+
+  libraryDependencies += "com.typesafe" %% "play-mini" % "2.0-RC1-SNAPSHOT"
+
+Sample Application
+------------------
+
+To illustrate how easy it is to wire a RESTful service with Akka we will use a sample application.
+The aim of the application is to show how to use play-mini and Akka in combination. Do not put too much
+attention on the actual business logic itself, which is a extremely simple bank application, as building a bank
+application is a little more complex than what's shown in the sample...
+
+The application should support the following URL commands:
+  - GET /ping - returns a Pong message with the time of the server (used to see if the application is up and running)
+  - GET /account/statement/{accountId} - returns the account statement
+  - POST /account/deposit - deposits money to an account (and creates a new one if it's not already existing)
+  - POST /account/withdraw - withdraws money from an account
+
+Error messages will be returned in case of any misuse of the application, e.g. withdrawing more money than an
+account has etc.
+
+Getting started
+---------------
+
+To build a play-mini application you first have to make your object extend com.typesafe.play.mini.Application:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
+   :include: playMiniDefinition
+
+The next step is to implement the mandatory method ``route``:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
+   :include: route
+   :exclude: routeLogic
+
+It is inside the ``route`` method that all the magic happens.
+In the sections below we will show how to set up play-mini to handle both GET and POST HTTP calls.
+
+Simple GET
+----------
+
+We start off by creating the simplest method we can - a "ping" method:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
+   :include: simpleGET
+
+As you can see in the section above play-mini uses Scala's wonderful pattern matching.
+In the snippet we instruct play-mini to reply to all HTTP GET calls with the URI "/ping".
+The ``Action`` returned comes from Play! and you can find more information about it `here <https://github.com/playframework/Play20/wiki/ScalaActions>`_.
+
+.. _Advanced-GET:
+
+Advanced GET
+------------
+
+Let's try something more advanced, retrieving parameters from the URI and also make an asynchronous call to an actor:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
+   :include: regexGET
+
+The regular expression looks like this:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
+   :include: regexURI
+
+In the snippets above we extract a URI parameter with the help of a simple regular expression and then we pass this
+parameter on to the underlying actor system. As you can see ``AsyncResult`` is being used. This means that the call to
+the actor will be performed asynchronously, i.e. no blocking.
+
+The asynchronous call to the actor is being done with a ``ask``, e.g.::
+
+    (accountActor ask Status(accountId))
+
+The actor that receives the message returns the result by using a standard *sender !*
+as can be seen here:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
+   :include: senderBang
+
+When the result is returned to the calling code we use some mapping code in Play to convert a Akka future to a Play future.
+This is shown in this code:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
+   :include: innerRegexGET
+
+In this snippet we check the result to decide what type of response we want to send to the calling client.
+
+Using HTTP POST
+---------------
+
+Okay, in the sections above we have shown you how to use play-mini for HTTP GET calls. Let's move on to when the user
+posts values to the application.
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
+   :include: asyncDepositPOST
+
+As you can see the structure is almost the same as for the :ref:`Advanced-GET`. The difference is that we make the
+``request`` parameter ``implicit`` and also that the following line of code is used to extract parameters from the POST.
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
+   :include: formAsyncDepositPOST
+
+The code snippet used to map the call to parameters looks like this:
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
+   :include: form
+
+Apart from the mapping of parameters the call to the actor looks is done the same as in :ref:`Advanced-GET`.
+
+The Complete Code Sample
+------------------------
+
+Below is the complete application in all its beauty.
+
+Global.scala (<yourApp>/src/main/scala/Global.scala):
+
+.. includecode:: code/Global.scala
+
+PlayMiniApplication.scala (<yourApp>/src/main/scala/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala):
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/http/PlayMiniApplication.scala
+
+Build.scala (<yourApp>/project/Build.scala):
+
+.. code-block:: scala
+
+    import sbt._
+    import Keys._
+
+    object PlayMiniApplicationBuild extends Build {
+      lazy val root = Project(id = "play-mini-application", base = file("."), settings = Project.defaultSettings).settings(
+        libraryDependencies += "com.typesafe" %% "play-mini" % "2.0-RC1-SNAPSHOT",
+        mainClass in (Compile, run) := Some("play.core.server.NettyServer"))
+    }
+
+Running the Application
+-----------------------
+
+Firstly, start up the application by opening a command terminal and type::
+
+  > sbt
+  > run
+
+Now you should see something similar to this in your terminal window::
+
+  [info] Running play.core.server.NettyServer
+  Play server process ID is 2523
+  [info] play - Application started (Prod)
+  [info] play - Listening for HTTP on port 9000...
+
+In this example we will use the awesome `cURL <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CURL>`_ command to interact with the application.
+Fire up a command terminal and try the application out::
+
+  First we check the status of a couple of accounts:
+  > curl http://localhost:9000/account/statement/TheDudesAccount
+  Unknown account: TheDudesAccount
+  > curl http://localhost:9000/account/statement/MrLebowskisAccount
+  Unknown account: MrLebowskisAccount
+
+  Now deposit some money to the accounts:
+  > curl -d "accountId=TheDudesAccount&amount=1000" http://localhost:9000/account/deposit
+  Updated account total: 1000
+  > curl -d "accountId=MrLebowskisAccount&amount=500" http://localhost:9000/account/deposit
+  Updated account total: 500
+
+  Next thing is to check the status of the account:
+  > curl http://localhost:9000/account/statement/TheDudesAccount
+  Account total: 1000
+  > curl http://localhost:9000/account/statement/MrLebowskisAccount
+  Account total: 500
+
+  Fair enough, let's try to withdraw some cash shall we:
+  > curl -d "accountId=TheDudesAccount&amount=999" http://localhost:9000/account/withdraw
+  Updated account total: 1
+  > curl -d "accountId=MrLebowskisAccount&amount=999" http://localhost:9000/account/withdraw
+  Unknown account or insufficient funds. Get your act together.
+  > curl -d "accountId=MrLebowskisAccount&amount=500" http://localhost:9000/account/withdraw
+  Updated account total: 0
+
+Yeah, it works!
+Now we leave it to the astute reader of this document to take advantage of the power of play-mini and Akka.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/future/FutureDocSpec.scala b/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/future/FutureDocSpec.scala
index 098fe873ad..3d1ca946a7 100644
--- a/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/future/FutureDocSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/future/FutureDocSpec.scala
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import akka.actor.Props
 import akka.actor.Status.Failure
 import akka.dispatch.Future
 import akka.dispatch.Await
+import akka.util.Timeout
 import akka.util.duration._
 import akka.dispatch.Promise
 import java.lang.IllegalStateException
@@ -46,8 +47,10 @@ class FutureDocSpec extends AkkaSpec {
     //#ask-blocking
     import akka.dispatch.Await
     import akka.pattern.ask
+    import akka.util.Timeout
+    import akka.util.duration._
 
-    implicit val timeout = system.settings.ActorTimeout
+    implicit val timeout = Timeout(5 seconds)
     val future = actor ? msg // enabled by the “ask” import
     val result = Await.result(future, timeout.duration).asInstanceOf[String]
     //#ask-blocking
@@ -57,7 +60,7 @@ class FutureDocSpec extends AkkaSpec {
   "demonstrate usage of mapTo" in {
     val actor = system.actorOf(Props[MyActor])
     val msg = "hello"
-    implicit val timeout = system.settings.ActorTimeout
+    implicit val timeout = Timeout(5 seconds)
     //#map-to
     import akka.dispatch.Future
     import akka.pattern.ask
@@ -164,7 +167,7 @@ class FutureDocSpec extends AkkaSpec {
     val actor3 = system.actorOf(Props[MyActor])
     val msg1 = 1
     val msg2 = 2
-    implicit val timeout = system.settings.ActorTimeout
+    implicit val timeout = Timeout(5 seconds)
     import akka.dispatch.Await
     import akka.pattern.ask
     //#composing-wrong
@@ -188,7 +191,7 @@ class FutureDocSpec extends AkkaSpec {
     val actor3 = system.actorOf(Props[MyActor])
     val msg1 = 1
     val msg2 = 2
-    implicit val timeout = system.settings.ActorTimeout
+    implicit val timeout = Timeout(5 seconds)
     import akka.dispatch.Await
     import akka.pattern.ask
     //#composing
@@ -208,7 +211,7 @@ class FutureDocSpec extends AkkaSpec {
   }
 
   "demonstrate usage of sequence with actors" in {
-    implicit val timeout = system.settings.ActorTimeout
+    implicit val timeout = Timeout(5 seconds)
     val oddActor = system.actorOf(Props[OddActor])
     //#sequence-ask
     // oddActor returns odd numbers sequentially from 1 as a List[Future[Int]]
@@ -256,7 +259,7 @@ class FutureDocSpec extends AkkaSpec {
   }
 
   "demonstrate usage of recover" in {
-    implicit val timeout = system.settings.ActorTimeout
+    implicit val timeout = Timeout(5 seconds)
     val actor = system.actorOf(Props[MyActor])
     val msg1 = -1
     //#recover
@@ -268,7 +271,7 @@ class FutureDocSpec extends AkkaSpec {
   }
 
   "demonstrate usage of recoverWith" in {
-    implicit val timeout = system.settings.ActorTimeout
+    implicit val timeout = Timeout(5 seconds)
     val actor = system.actorOf(Props[MyActor])
     val msg1 = -1
     //#try-recover
diff --git a/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/remoting/RemoteDeploymentDocSpec.scala b/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/remoting/RemoteDeploymentDocSpec.scala
index 0a8785444f..a8d75512c5 100644
--- a/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/remoting/RemoteDeploymentDocSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/remoting/RemoteDeploymentDocSpec.scala
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ class RemoteDeploymentDocSpec extends AkkaSpec("""
   import RemoteDeploymentDocSpec._
 
   val other = ActorSystem("remote", system.settings.config)
-  val address = other.asInstanceOf[ExtendedActorSystem].provider.getExternalAddressFor(Address("akka", "s", Some("host"), Some(1))).get
+  val address = other.asInstanceOf[ExtendedActorSystem].provider.getExternalAddressFor(Address("akka", "s", "host", 1)).get
 
   override def atTermination() { other.shutdown() }
 
diff --git a/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/routing/RouterDocSpec.scala b/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/routing/RouterDocSpec.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..229c66f13e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/routing/RouterDocSpec.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Typesafe Inc. <http://www.typesafe.com>
+ */
+package akka.docs.routing
+
+import RouterDocSpec.MyActor
+import akka.actor.{ Props, Actor }
+import akka.testkit.AkkaSpec
+import akka.routing.RoundRobinRouter
+
+object RouterDocSpec {
+  class MyActor extends Actor {
+    def receive = {
+      case _ ⇒
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+class RouterDocSpec extends AkkaSpec {
+
+  import RouterDocSpec._
+
+  //#dispatchers
+  val router = system.actorOf(Props[MyActor]
+    .withRouter(RoundRobinRouter(5, routerDispatcher = "router")) // “head” will run on "router" dispatcher
+    .withDispatcher("workers")) // MyActor workers will run on "workers" dispatcher
+  //#dispatchers
+
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/routing/RouterTypeExample.scala b/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/routing/RouterTypeExample.scala
index 2f0a1e634c..6ec475a874 100644
--- a/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/routing/RouterTypeExample.scala
+++ b/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/routing/RouterTypeExample.scala
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import akka.routing.{ ScatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter, BroadcastRouter, Random
 import annotation.tailrec
 import akka.actor.{ Props, Actor }
 import akka.util.duration._
+import akka.util.Timeout
 import akka.dispatch.Await
 import akka.pattern.ask
 import akka.routing.SmallestMailboxRouter
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ class ParentActor extends Actor {
       val scatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter = context.actorOf(
         Props[FibonacciActor].withRouter(ScatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter(
           nrOfInstances = 5, within = 2 seconds)), "router")
-      implicit val timeout = context.system.settings.ActorTimeout
+      implicit val timeout = Timeout(5 seconds)
       val futureResult = scatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter ? FibonacciNumber(10)
       val result = Await.result(futureResult, timeout.duration)
       //#scatterGatherFirstCompletedRouter
diff --git a/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/serialization/SerializationDocSpec.scala b/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/serialization/SerializationDocSpec.scala
index ce40adce3e..38054594cd 100644
--- a/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/serialization/SerializationDocSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/serialization/SerializationDocSpec.scala
@@ -35,8 +35,7 @@ class MyOwnSerializer extends Serializer {
   // using the type hint (if any, see "includeManifest" above)
   // into the optionally provided classLoader.
   def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte],
-                 clazz: Option[Class[_]],
-                 classLoader: Option[ClassLoader] = None): AnyRef = {
+                 clazz: Option[Class[_]]): AnyRef = {
     // Put your code that deserializes here
     //#...
     null
@@ -143,9 +142,7 @@ class SerializationDocSpec extends AkkaSpec {
     val bytes = serializer.toBinary(original)
 
     // Turn it back into an object
-    val back = serializer.fromBinary(bytes,
-      manifest = None,
-      classLoader = None)
+    val back = serializer.fromBinary(bytes, manifest = None)
 
     // Voilá!
     back must equal(original)
diff --git a/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala b/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e5e3325dd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/akka-docs/scala/code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Typesafe Inc. <http://www.typesafe.com>
+ */
+package akka.docs.zeromq
+
+import akka.actor.Actor
+import akka.actor.Props
+import akka.util.duration._
+import akka.testkit._
+import akka.zeromq.ZeroMQVersion
+import akka.zeromq.ZeroMQExtension
+import java.text.SimpleDateFormat
+import java.util.Date
+import akka.zeromq.SocketType
+import akka.zeromq.Bind
+
+object ZeromqDocSpec {
+
+  //#health
+  import akka.zeromq._
+  import akka.actor.Actor
+  import akka.actor.Props
+  import akka.actor.ActorLogging
+  import akka.serialization.SerializationExtension
+  import java.lang.management.ManagementFactory
+
+  case object Tick
+  case class Heap(timestamp: Long, used: Long, max: Long)
+  case class Load(timestamp: Long, loadAverage: Double)
+
+  class HealthProbe extends Actor {
+
+    val pubSocket = context.system.newSocket(SocketType.Pub, Bind("tcp://127.0.0.1:1235"))
+    val memory = ManagementFactory.getMemoryMXBean
+    val os = ManagementFactory.getOperatingSystemMXBean
+    val ser = SerializationExtension(context.system)
+
+    override def preStart() {
+      context.system.scheduler.schedule(1 second, 1 second, self, Tick)
+    }
+
+    override def postRestart(reason: Throwable) {
+      // don't call preStart, only schedule once
+    }
+
+    def receive: Receive = {
+      case Tick ⇒
+        val currentHeap = memory.getHeapMemoryUsage
+        val timestamp = System.currentTimeMillis
+
+        // use akka SerializationExtension to convert to bytes
+        val heapPayload = ser.serialize(Heap(timestamp, currentHeap.getUsed, currentHeap.getMax)).fold(throw _, identity)
+        // the first frame is the topic, second is the message
+        pubSocket ! ZMQMessage(Seq(Frame("health.heap"), Frame(heapPayload)))
+
+        // use akka SerializationExtension to convert to bytes
+        val loadPayload = ser.serialize(Load(timestamp, os.getSystemLoadAverage)).fold(throw _, identity)
+        // the first frame is the topic, second is the message
+        pubSocket ! ZMQMessage(Seq(Frame("health.load"), Frame(loadPayload)))
+    }
+  }
+  //#health
+
+  //#logger
+  class Logger extends Actor with ActorLogging {
+
+    context.system.newSocket(SocketType.Sub, Listener(self), Connect("tcp://127.0.0.1:1235"), Subscribe("health"))
+    val ser = SerializationExtension(context.system)
+    val timestampFormat = new SimpleDateFormat("HH:mm:ss.SSS")
+
+    def receive = {
+      // the first frame is the topic, second is the message
+      case m: ZMQMessage if m.firstFrameAsString == "health.heap" ⇒
+        ser.deserialize(m.payload(1), classOf[Heap]) match {
+          case Right(Heap(timestamp, used, max)) ⇒
+            log.info("Used heap {} bytes, at {}", used, timestampFormat.format(new Date(timestamp)))
+          case Left(e) ⇒ throw e
+        }
+
+      case m: ZMQMessage if m.firstFrameAsString == "health.load" ⇒
+        ser.deserialize(m.payload(1), classOf[Load]) match {
+          case Right(Load(timestamp, loadAverage)) ⇒
+            log.info("Load average {}, at {}", loadAverage, timestampFormat.format(new Date(timestamp)))
+          case Left(e) ⇒ throw e
+        }
+    }
+  }
+  //#logger
+
+  //#alerter
+  class HeapAlerter extends Actor with ActorLogging {
+
+    context.system.newSocket(SocketType.Sub, Listener(self), Connect("tcp://127.0.0.1:1235"), Subscribe("health.heap"))
+    val ser = SerializationExtension(context.system)
+    var count = 0
+
+    def receive = {
+      // the first frame is the topic, second is the message
+      case m: ZMQMessage if m.firstFrameAsString == "health.heap" ⇒
+        ser.deserialize(m.payload(1), classOf[Heap]) match {
+          case Right(Heap(timestamp, used, max)) ⇒
+            if ((used.toDouble / max) > 0.9) count += 1
+            else count = 0
+            if (count > 10) log.warning("Need more memory, using {} %", (100.0 * used / max))
+          case Left(e) ⇒ throw e
+        }
+    }
+  }
+  //#alerter
+
+}
+
+class ZeromqDocSpec extends AkkaSpec("akka.loglevel=INFO") {
+  import ZeromqDocSpec._
+
+  "demonstrate how to create socket" in {
+    checkZeroMQInstallation()
+
+    //#pub-socket
+    import akka.zeromq.ZeroMQExtension
+    val pubSocket = ZeroMQExtension(system).newSocket(SocketType.Pub, Bind("tcp://127.0.0.1:1234"))
+    //#pub-socket
+
+    //#pub-socket2
+    import akka.zeromq._
+    val pubSocket2 = system.newSocket(SocketType.Pub, Bind("tcp://127.0.0.1:1234"))
+    //#pub-socket2
+
+    //#sub-socket
+    import akka.zeromq._
+    val listener = system.actorOf(Props(new Actor {
+      def receive: Receive = {
+        case Connecting    ⇒ //...
+        case m: ZMQMessage ⇒ //...
+        case _             ⇒ //...
+      }
+    }))
+    val subSocket = system.newSocket(SocketType.Sub, Listener(listener), Connect("tcp://127.0.0.1:1234"), SubscribeAll)
+    //#sub-socket
+
+    //#sub-topic-socket
+    val subTopicSocket = system.newSocket(SocketType.Sub, Listener(listener), Connect("tcp://127.0.0.1:1234"), Subscribe("foo.bar"))
+    //#sub-topic-socket
+
+    //#unsub-topic-socket
+    subTopicSocket ! Unsubscribe("foo.bar")
+    //#unsub-topic-socket
+
+    val payload = Array.empty[Byte]
+    //#pub-topic
+    pubSocket ! ZMQMessage(Seq(Frame("foo.bar"), Frame(payload)))
+    //#pub-topic
+
+    //#high-watermark
+    val highWatermarkSocket = system.newSocket(
+      SocketType.Router,
+      Listener(listener),
+      Bind("tcp://127.0.0.1:1234"),
+      HighWatermark(50000))
+    //#high-watermark
+  }
+
+  "demonstrate pub-sub" in {
+    checkZeroMQInstallation()
+
+    //#health
+
+    system.actorOf(Props[HealthProbe], name = "health")
+    //#health
+
+    //#logger
+
+    system.actorOf(Props[Logger], name = "logger")
+    //#logger
+
+    //#alerter
+
+    system.actorOf(Props[HeapAlerter], name = "alerter")
+    //#alerter
+
+    // Let it run for a while to see some output.
+    // Don't do like this in real tests, this is only doc demonstration.
+    3.seconds.sleep()
+
+  }
+
+  def checkZeroMQInstallation() = try {
+    ZeroMQExtension(system).version match {
+      case ZeroMQVersion(2, 1, _) ⇒ Unit
+      case version                ⇒ pending
+    }
+  } catch {
+    case e: LinkageError ⇒ pending
+  }
+}
diff --git a/akka-docs/scala/routing.rst b/akka-docs/scala/routing.rst
index f67841df2c..161ab88db9 100644
--- a/akka-docs/scala/routing.rst
+++ b/akka-docs/scala/routing.rst
@@ -8,11 +8,6 @@ Routing (Scala)
 
    .. contents:: :local:
 
-Akka-core includes some building blocks to build more complex message flow handlers, they are listed and explained below:
-
-Router
-------
-
 A Router is an actor that routes incoming messages to outbound actors.
 The router routes the messages sent to it to its underlying actors called 'routees'.
 
@@ -250,6 +245,16 @@ This is an example of how to programatically create a resizable router:
 *It is also worth pointing out that if you define the ``router`` in the configuration file then this value
 will be used instead of any programmatically sent parameters.*
 
+.. note::
+
+  Resizing is triggered by sending messages to the actor pool, but it is not
+  completed synchronously; instead a message is sent to the “head”
+  :class:`Router` to perform the size change. Thus you cannot rely on resizing
+  to instantaneously create new workers when all others are busy, because the
+  message just sent will be queued to the mailbox of a busy actor. To remedy
+  this, configure the pool to use a balancing dispatcher, see `Configuring
+  Dispatchers`_ for more information.
+
 Custom Router
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
@@ -311,3 +316,23 @@ A router with dynamically resizable number of routees is implemented by providin
 in ``resizer`` method of the ``RouterConfig``. See ``akka.routing.DefaultResizer`` for inspiration
 of how to write your own resize strategy.
 
+Configuring Dispatchers
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+The dispatcher for created children of the router will be taken from
+:class:`Props` as described in :ref:`dispatchers-scala`. For a dynamic pool it
+makes sense to configure the :class:`BalancingDispatcher` if the precise
+routing is not so important (i.e. no consistent hashing or round-robin is
+required); this enables newly created routees to pick up work immediately by
+stealing it from their siblings.
+
+The “head” router, of couse, cannot run on the same balancing dispatcher,
+because it does not process the same messages, hence this special actor does
+not use the dispatcher configured in :class:`Props`, but takes the
+``routerDispatcher`` from the :class:`RouterConfig` instead, which defaults to
+the actor system’s default dispatcher. All standard routers allow setting this
+property in their constructor or factory method, custom routers have to
+implement the method in a suitable way.
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/routing/RouterDocSpec.scala#dispatchers
+
diff --git a/akka-docs/scala/serialization.rst b/akka-docs/scala/serialization.rst
index 4735548140..9bdfa2d2c8 100644
--- a/akka-docs/scala/serialization.rst
+++ b/akka-docs/scala/serialization.rst
@@ -101,3 +101,15 @@ First you need to create a class definition of your ``Serializer`` like so:
 
 Then you only need to fill in the blanks, bind it to a name in your :ref:`configuration` and then
 list which classes that should be serialized using it.
+
+A Word About Java Serialization
+===============================
+
+When using Java serialization without employing the :class:`JavaSerializer` for
+the task, you must make sure to supply a valid :class:`ExtendedActorSystem` in
+the dynamic variable ``JavaSerializer.currentSystem``. This is used when
+reading in the representation of an :class:`ActorRef` for turning the string
+representation into a real reference. :class:`DynamicVariable` is a
+thread-local variable, so be sure to have it set while deserializing anything
+which might contain actor references.
+
diff --git a/akka-docs/scala/zeromq.rst b/akka-docs/scala/zeromq.rst
index e080979910..fa1160ee6d 100644
--- a/akka-docs/scala/zeromq.rst
+++ b/akka-docs/scala/zeromq.rst
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 
-.. _zeromq-module:
+.. _zeromq-scala:
+
+################
+ ZeroMQ (Scala)
+################
 
-ZeroMQ
-======
 
 .. sidebar:: Contents
 
@@ -12,83 +14,76 @@ Akka provides a ZeroMQ module which abstracts a ZeroMQ connection and therefore
 
 ZeroMQ is very opinionated when it comes to multi-threading so configuration option `akka.zeromq.socket-dispatcher` always needs to be configured to a PinnedDispatcher, because the actual ZeroMQ socket can only be accessed by the thread that created it.
 
-The ZeroMQ module for Akka is written against an API introduced in JZMQ, which uses JNI to interact with the native ZeroMQ library. Instead of using JZMQ, the module uses ZeroMQ binding for Scala that uses the native ZeroMQ library through JNA. In other words, the only native library that this module requires is the native ZeroMQ library.  
+The ZeroMQ module for Akka is written against an API introduced in JZMQ, which uses JNI to interact with the native ZeroMQ library. Instead of using JZMQ, the module uses ZeroMQ binding for Scala that uses the native ZeroMQ library through JNA. In other words, the only native library that this module requires is the native ZeroMQ library.
 The benefit of the scala library is that you don't need to compile and manage native dependencies at the cost of some runtime performance. The scala-bindings are compatible with the JNI bindings so they are a drop-in replacement, in case you really need to get that extra bit of performance out.
 
 Connection
-----------
+==========
 
-ZeroMQ supports multiple connectivity patterns, each aimed to meet a different set of requirements. Currently, this module supports publisher-subscriber connections and connections based on dealers and routers. For connecting or accepting connections, a socket must be created. Sockets are always created using ``akka.zeromq.ZeroMQ.newSocket``, for example:
+ZeroMQ supports multiple connectivity patterns, each aimed to meet a different set of requirements. Currently, this module supports publisher-subscriber connections and connections based on dealers and routers. For connecting or accepting connections, a socket must be created.
+Sockets are always created using the ``akka.zeromq.ZeroMQExtension``, for example:
 
-.. code-block:: scala
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala#pub-socket
 
-  import akka.zeromq._
-  val socket = system.zeromq.newSocket(SocketType.Pub, Bind("tcp://127.0.0.1:1234"))
+or by importing the ``akka.zeromq._`` package to make newSocket method available on system, via an implicit conversion.
 
-will create a ZeroMQ Publisher socket that is Bound to the port 1234 on localhost.
-Importing the akka.zeromq._ package ensures that the implicit zeromq method is available.
-Similarly you can create a subscription socket, that subscribes to all messages from the publisher using:
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala#pub-socket2
 
-.. code-block:: scala
 
-  val socket = system.zeromq.newSocket(SocketType.Sub, Connect("tcp://127.0.0.1:1234"), SubscribeAll)
+Above examples will create a ZeroMQ Publisher socket that is Bound to the port 1234 on localhost.
 
-Also, a socket may be created with a listener that handles received messages as well as notifications:
+Similarly you can create a subscription socket, with a listener, that subscribes to all messages from the publisher using:
 
-.. code-block:: scala
-
-  val listener = system.actorOf(Props(new Actor {
-    def receive: Receive = {
-      case Connecting => ...
-      case _ => ...
-    }
-  }))
-  val socket = system.zeromq.newSocket(SocketType.Router, Listener(listener), Connect("tcp://localhost:1234"))
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala#sub-socket
 
 The following sub-sections describe the supported connection patterns and how they can be used in an Akka environment. However, for a comprehensive discussion of connection patterns, please refer to `ZeroMQ -- The Guide <http://zguide.zeromq.org/page:all>`_.
 
 Publisher-subscriber connection
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+-------------------------------
 
-In a publisher-subscriber (pub-sub) connection, the publisher accepts one or more subscribers. Each subscriber shall subscribe to one or more topics, whereas the publisher publishes messages to a set of topics. Also, a subscriber can subscribe to all available topics. 
+In a publisher-subscriber (pub-sub) connection, the publisher accepts one or more subscribers. Each subscriber shall
+subscribe to one or more topics, whereas the publisher publishes messages to a set of topics. Also, a subscriber can
+subscribe to all available topics. In an Akka environment, pub-sub connections shall be used when an actor sends messages
+to one or more actors that do not interact with the actor that sent the message.
 
 When you're using zeromq pub/sub you should be aware that it needs multicast - check your cloud - to work properly and that the filtering of events for topics happens client side, so all events are always broadcasted to every subscriber.
 
 An actor is subscribed to a topic as follows:
 
-.. code-block:: scala
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala#sub-topic-socket
 
-  val socket = system.zeromq.newSocket(SocketType.Sub, Listener(listener), Connect("tcp://localhost:1234"), Subscribe("the-topic"))
+It is a prefix match so it is subscribed to all topics starting with ``foo.bar``. Note that if the given string is empty or
+``SubscribeAll`` is used, the actor is subscribed to all topics.
 
-Note that if the given string is empty (see below), the actor is subscribed to all topics. To unsubscribe from a topic you do the following:
+To unsubscribe from a topic you do the following:
 
-.. code-block:: scala
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala#unsub-topic-socket
 
-  socket ! Unsubscribe("SomeTopic1")
+To publish messages to a topic you must use two Frames with the topic in the first frame.
 
-In an Akka environment, pub-sub connections shall be used when an actor sends messages to one or more actors that do not interact with the actor that sent the message. The following piece of code creates a publisher actor, binds the socket, and sends a message to be published:
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala#pub-topic
 
-.. code-block:: scala
+Pub-Sub in Action
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
-  import akka.zeromq._
-  val socket = system.zeromq.newSocket(SocketType.Pub, Bind("tcp://127.0.0.1:1234"))
-  socket ! Send("hello".getBytes)
+The following example illustrates one publisher with two subscribers.
 
-In the following code, the subscriber is configured to receive messages for all topics:
+The publisher monitors current heap usage and system load and periodically publishes ``Heap`` events on the ``"health.heap"`` topic
+and ``Load`` events on the ``"health.load"`` topic.
 
-.. code-block:: scala
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala#health
 
-  import akka.zeromq._
-  val listener = system.actorOf(Props(new Actor {
-    def receive: Receive = {
-      case Connecting => ...
-      case _ => ...
-    }
-  }))
-  val socket = system.zeromq.newSocket(SocketType.Sub, Listener(listener), Connect("tcp://127.0.0.1:1234"), SubscribeAll)
+Let's add one subscriber that logs the information. It subscribes to all topics starting with ``"health"``, i.e. both ``Heap`` and
+``Load`` events.
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala#logger
+
+Another subscriber keep track of used heap and warns if too much heap is used. It only subscribes to ``Heap`` events.
+
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala#alerter
 
 Router-Dealer connection
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+------------------------
 
 While Pub/Sub is nice the real advantage of zeromq is that it is a "lego-box" for reliable messaging. And because there are so many integrations the multi-language support is fantastic.
 When you're using ZeroMQ to integrate many systems you'll probably need to build your own ZeroMQ devices. This is where the router and dealer socket types come in handy.
@@ -96,19 +91,6 @@ With those socket types you can build your own reliable pub sub broker that uses
 
 To create a Router socket that has a high watermark configured, you would do:
 
-.. code-block:: scala
-  
-  import akka.zeromq._
-  val listener = system.actorOf(Props(new Actor {
-    def receive: Receive = {
-      case Connecting => ...
-      case _ => ...
-    }
-  }))
-  val socket = system.zeromq.newSocket(
-                                  SocketType.Router, 
-                                  Listener(listener), 
-                                  Bind("tcp://127.0.0.1:1234"), 
-                                  HWM(50000))
+.. includecode:: code/akka/docs/zeromq/ZeromqDocSpec.scala#high-watermark
 
-The akka-zeromq module accepts most if not all the available configuration options for a zeromq socket.
\ No newline at end of file
+The akka-zeromq module accepts most if not all the available configuration options for a zeromq socket.
diff --git a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-beanstalk-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/BeanstalkBasedMailbox.scala b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-beanstalk-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/BeanstalkBasedMailbox.scala
index cd2ca2d0f0..489d97d176 100644
--- a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-beanstalk-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/BeanstalkBasedMailbox.scala
+++ b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-beanstalk-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/BeanstalkBasedMailbox.scala
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class BeanstalkBasedMailboxType(config: Config) extends MailboxType {
 /**
  * @author <a href="http://jonasboner.com">Jonas Bon&#233;r</a>
  */
-class BeanstalkBasedMailbox(val owner: ActorContext) extends DurableMailbox(owner) with DurableMessageSerialization {
+class BeanstalkBasedMailbox(_owner: ActorContext) extends DurableMailbox(_owner) with DurableMessageSerialization {
 
   private val settings = BeanstalkBasedMailboxExtension(owner.system)
   private val messageSubmitDelaySeconds = settings.MessageSubmitDelay.toSeconds.toInt
diff --git a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-file-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/FiledBasedMailbox.scala b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-file-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/FiledBasedMailbox.scala
index 8da17a4cc9..ccdbdc4145 100644
--- a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-file-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/FiledBasedMailbox.scala
+++ b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-file-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/FiledBasedMailbox.scala
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ class FileBasedMailboxType(config: Config) extends MailboxType {
   override def create(owner: ActorContext) = new FileBasedMailbox(owner)
 }
 
-class FileBasedMailbox(val owner: ActorContext) extends DurableMailbox(owner) with DurableMessageSerialization {
+class FileBasedMailbox(_owner: ActorContext) extends DurableMailbox(_owner) with DurableMessageSerialization {
 
   val log = Logging(system, "FileBasedMailbox")
 
diff --git a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-mailboxes-common/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/DurableMailbox.scala b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-mailboxes-common/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/DurableMailbox.scala
index 5e319dafac..69f7fb50c1 100644
--- a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-mailboxes-common/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/DurableMailbox.scala
+++ b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-mailboxes-common/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/DurableMailbox.scala
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ private[akka] object DurableExecutableMailboxConfig {
   val Name = "[\\.\\/\\$\\s]".r
 }
 
-abstract class DurableMailbox(owner: ActorContext) extends CustomMailbox(owner) with DefaultSystemMessageQueue {
+abstract class DurableMailbox(val owner: ActorContext) extends CustomMailbox(owner) with DefaultSystemMessageQueue {
   import DurableExecutableMailboxConfig._
 
   def system: ExtendedActorSystem = owner.system.asInstanceOf[ExtendedActorSystem]
@@ -22,15 +22,13 @@ abstract class DurableMailbox(owner: ActorContext) extends CustomMailbox(owner)
 
 }
 
-trait DurableMessageSerialization {
-
-  def owner: ActorContext
+trait DurableMessageSerialization { this: DurableMailbox ⇒
 
   def serialize(durableMessage: Envelope): Array[Byte] = {
 
     def serializeActorRef(ref: ActorRef): ActorRefProtocol = ActorRefProtocol.newBuilder.setPath(ref.path.toString).build
 
-    val message = MessageSerializer.serialize(owner.system, durableMessage.message.asInstanceOf[AnyRef])
+    val message = MessageSerializer.serialize(system, durableMessage.message.asInstanceOf[AnyRef])
     val builder = RemoteMessageProtocol.newBuilder
       .setMessage(message)
       .setRecipient(serializeActorRef(owner.self))
@@ -41,13 +39,13 @@ trait DurableMessageSerialization {
 
   def deserialize(bytes: Array[Byte]): Envelope = {
 
-    def deserializeActorRef(refProtocol: ActorRefProtocol): ActorRef = owner.system.actorFor(refProtocol.getPath)
+    def deserializeActorRef(refProtocol: ActorRefProtocol): ActorRef = system.actorFor(refProtocol.getPath)
 
     val durableMessage = RemoteMessageProtocol.parseFrom(bytes)
-    val message = MessageSerializer.deserialize(owner.system, durableMessage.getMessage, getClass.getClassLoader)
+    val message = MessageSerializer.deserialize(system, durableMessage.getMessage)
     val sender = deserializeActorRef(durableMessage.getSender)
 
-    new Envelope(message, sender)(owner.system)
+    new Envelope(message, sender)(system)
   }
 
 }
diff --git a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-mongo-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/BSONSerialization.scala b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-mongo-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/BSONSerialization.scala
index cc36286e36..5aa314eb55 100644
--- a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-mongo-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/BSONSerialization.scala
+++ b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-mongo-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/BSONSerialization.scala
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class BSONSerializableMailbox(system: ExtendedActorSystem) extends SerializableB
     val doc = deserializer.decodeAndFetch(in).asInstanceOf[BSONDocument]
     system.log.debug("Deserializing a durable message from MongoDB: {}", doc)
     val msgData = MessageProtocol.parseFrom(doc.as[org.bson.types.Binary]("message").getData)
-    val msg = MessageSerializer.deserialize(system, msgData, system.internalClassLoader)
+    val msg = MessageSerializer.deserialize(system, msgData)
     val ownerPath = doc.as[String]("ownerPath")
     val senderPath = doc.as[String]("senderPath")
     val sender = system.actorFor(senderPath)
diff --git a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-mongo-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/MongoBasedMailbox.scala b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-mongo-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/MongoBasedMailbox.scala
index fed643c7d1..d17a1221a8 100644
--- a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-mongo-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/MongoBasedMailbox.scala
+++ b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-mongo-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/MongoBasedMailbox.scala
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class MongoBasedMailboxType(config: Config) extends MailboxType {
  *
  * @author <a href="http://evilmonkeylabs.com">Brendan W. McAdams</a>
  */
-class MongoBasedMailbox(val owner: ActorContext) extends DurableMailbox(owner) {
+class MongoBasedMailbox(_owner: ActorContext) extends DurableMailbox(_owner) {
   // this implicit object provides the context for reading/writing things as MongoDurableMessage
   implicit val mailboxBSONSer = new BSONSerializableMailbox(system)
   implicit val safeWrite = WriteConcern.Safe // TODO - Replica Safe when appropriate!
diff --git a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-redis-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/RedisBasedMailbox.scala b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-redis-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/RedisBasedMailbox.scala
index 5d4e09e65e..b6cf3febc6 100644
--- a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-redis-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/RedisBasedMailbox.scala
+++ b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-redis-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/RedisBasedMailbox.scala
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class RedisBasedMailboxType(config: Config) extends MailboxType {
   override def create(owner: ActorContext) = new RedisBasedMailbox(owner)
 }
 
-class RedisBasedMailbox(val owner: ActorContext) extends DurableMailbox(owner) with DurableMessageSerialization {
+class RedisBasedMailbox(_owner: ActorContext) extends DurableMailbox(_owner) with DurableMessageSerialization {
 
   private val settings = RedisBasedMailboxExtension(owner.system)
 
diff --git a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-zookeeper-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/ZooKeeperBasedMailbox.scala b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-zookeeper-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/ZooKeeperBasedMailbox.scala
index 81e4c378eb..90fd381af1 100644
--- a/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-zookeeper-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/ZooKeeperBasedMailbox.scala
+++ b/akka-durable-mailboxes/akka-zookeeper-mailbox/src/main/scala/akka/actor/mailbox/ZooKeeperBasedMailbox.scala
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class ZooKeeperBasedMailboxType(config: Config) extends MailboxType {
   override def create(owner: ActorContext) = new ZooKeeperBasedMailbox(owner)
 }
 
-class ZooKeeperBasedMailbox(val owner: ActorContext) extends DurableMailbox(owner) with DurableMessageSerialization {
+class ZooKeeperBasedMailbox(_owner: ActorContext) extends DurableMailbox(_owner) with DurableMessageSerialization {
 
   private val settings = ZooKeeperBasedMailboxExtension(owner.system)
   val queueNode = "/queues"
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/MessageSerializer.scala b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/MessageSerializer.scala
index 5301f2bdd0..65777d49ca 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/MessageSerializer.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/MessageSerializer.scala
@@ -6,32 +6,25 @@ package akka.remote
 
 import akka.remote.RemoteProtocol._
 import com.google.protobuf.ByteString
-import akka.actor.ActorSystem
+import akka.actor.ExtendedActorSystem
 import akka.serialization.SerializationExtension
-import akka.util.ReflectiveAccess
 
 object MessageSerializer {
 
-  def deserialize(system: ActorSystem, messageProtocol: MessageProtocol, classLoader: ClassLoader): AnyRef = {
-    val clazz = if (messageProtocol.hasMessageManifest) {
-      Option(ReflectiveAccess.getClassFor[AnyRef](
-        messageProtocol.getMessageManifest.toStringUtf8,
-        classLoader) match {
-          case Left(e)  ⇒ throw e
-          case Right(r) ⇒ r
-        })
-    } else None
-    SerializationExtension(system).deserialize(
-      messageProtocol.getMessage.toByteArray,
-      messageProtocol.getSerializerId,
-      clazz,
-      classLoader) match {
+  def deserialize(system: ExtendedActorSystem, messageProtocol: MessageProtocol): AnyRef = {
+    val clazz =
+      if (messageProtocol.hasMessageManifest) {
+        system.dynamicAccess.getClassFor[AnyRef](messageProtocol.getMessageManifest.toStringUtf8)
+          .fold(throw _, Some(_))
+      } else None
+    SerializationExtension(system)
+      .deserialize(messageProtocol.getMessage.toByteArray, messageProtocol.getSerializerId, clazz) match {
         case Left(e)  ⇒ throw e
         case Right(r) ⇒ r
       }
   }
 
-  def serialize(system: ActorSystem, message: AnyRef): MessageProtocol = {
+  def serialize(system: ExtendedActorSystem, message: AnyRef): MessageProtocol = {
     val s = SerializationExtension(system)
     val serializer = s.findSerializerFor(message)
     val builder = MessageProtocol.newBuilder
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/RemoteActorRefProvider.scala b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/RemoteActorRefProvider.scala
index 872be5aa41..89c35115ef 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/RemoteActorRefProvider.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/RemoteActorRefProvider.scala
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import akka.event.EventStream
 import akka.config.ConfigurationException
 import java.util.concurrent.{ TimeoutException }
 import com.typesafe.config.Config
-import akka.util.ReflectiveAccess
 import akka.serialization.Serialization
 import akka.serialization.SerializationExtension
 
@@ -28,11 +27,11 @@ class RemoteActorRefProvider(
   val settings: ActorSystem.Settings,
   val eventStream: EventStream,
   val scheduler: Scheduler,
-  val classloader: ClassLoader) extends ActorRefProvider {
+  val dynamicAccess: DynamicAccess) extends ActorRefProvider {
 
   val remoteSettings = new RemoteSettings(settings.config, systemName)
 
-  val deployer = new RemoteDeployer(settings, classloader)
+  val deployer = new RemoteDeployer(settings, dynamicAccess)
 
   private val local = new LocalActorRefProvider(systemName, settings, eventStream, scheduler, deployer)
 
@@ -84,7 +83,7 @@ class RemoteActorRefProvider(
         classOf[ActorSystemImpl] -> system,
         classOf[RemoteActorRefProvider] -> this)
 
-      ReflectiveAccess.createInstance[RemoteTransport](fqn, args, system.internalClassLoader) match {
+      system.dynamicAccess.createInstanceFor[RemoteTransport](fqn, args) match {
         case Left(problem) ⇒ throw new RemoteTransportException("Could not load remote transport layer " + fqn, problem)
         case Right(remote) ⇒ remote
       }
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/RemoteDeployer.scala b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/RemoteDeployer.scala
index 9686d295ad..1e1068cd5f 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/RemoteDeployer.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/RemoteDeployer.scala
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ case class RemoteScope(node: Address) extends Scope {
   def withFallback(other: Scope): Scope = this
 }
 
-class RemoteDeployer(_settings: ActorSystem.Settings, _classloader: ClassLoader) extends Deployer(_settings, _classloader) {
+class RemoteDeployer(_settings: ActorSystem.Settings, _pm: DynamicAccess) extends Deployer(_settings, _pm) {
 
   override protected def parseConfig(path: String, config: Config): Option[Deploy] = {
     import scala.collection.JavaConverters._
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/RemoteTransport.scala b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/RemoteTransport.scala
index b40992d12a..256451bc0a 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/RemoteTransport.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/RemoteTransport.scala
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ class RemoteMessage(input: RemoteMessageProtocol, system: ActorSystemImpl) {
 
   lazy val recipient: InternalActorRef = system.provider.actorFor(system.provider.rootGuardian, originalReceiver)
 
-  lazy val payload: AnyRef = MessageSerializer.deserialize(system, input.getMessage, getClass.getClassLoader)
+  lazy val payload: AnyRef = MessageSerializer.deserialize(system, input.getMessage)
 
   override def toString = "RemoteMessage: " + payload + " to " + recipient + "<+{" + originalReceiver + "} from " + sender
 }
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/NettyRemoteSupport.scala b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/NettyRemoteSupport.scala
index a182948dba..8acd33c7fb 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/NettyRemoteSupport.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/NettyRemoteSupport.scala
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class NettyRemoteTransport(val remoteSettings: RemoteSettings, val system: Actor
       case sa: InetSocketAddress ⇒ sa
       case x                     ⇒ throw new RemoteTransportException("unknown local address type " + x.getClass, null)
     }
-    _address.compareAndSet(null, Address("akka", remoteSettings.systemName, Some(settings.Hostname), Some(addr.getPort)))
+    _address.compareAndSet(null, Address("akka", remoteSettings.systemName, settings.Hostname, addr.getPort))
   }
 
   def address = _address.get
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/Server.scala b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/Server.scala
index 2c51875e9d..0bafb1c712 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/Server.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/Server.scala
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ class RemoteServerHandler(
         instruction.getCommandType match {
           case CommandType.CONNECT if settings.UsePassiveConnections ⇒
             val origin = instruction.getOrigin
-            val inbound = Address("akka", origin.getSystem, Some(origin.getHostname), Some(origin.getPort))
+            val inbound = Address("akka", origin.getSystem, origin.getHostname, origin.getPort)
             val client = new PassiveRemoteClient(event.getChannel, netty, inbound)
             netty.bindClient(inbound, client)
           case CommandType.SHUTDOWN  ⇒ //Will be unbound in channelClosed
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ class RemoteServerHandler(
 
   private def getClientAddress(c: Channel): Option[Address] =
     c.getRemoteAddress match {
-      case inet: InetSocketAddress ⇒ Some(Address("akka", "unknown(yet)", Some(inet.getAddress.toString), Some(inet.getPort)))
+      case inet: InetSocketAddress ⇒ Some(Address("akka", "unknown(yet)", inet.getAddress.toString, inet.getPort))
       case _                       ⇒ None
     }
 }
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/Settings.scala b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/Settings.scala
index 0db6cabf18..daa91a3014 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/Settings.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/Settings.scala
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ class NettySettings(config: Config, val systemName: String) {
     case value ⇒ value
   }
 
-  @deprecated("WARNING: This should only be used by professionals.")
+  @deprecated("WARNING: This should only be used by professionals.", "2.0")
   val PortSelector = getInt("port")
 
   val ConnectionTimeout = Duration(getMilliseconds("connection-timeout"), MILLISECONDS)
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/routing/RemoteRouterConfig.scala b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/routing/RemoteRouterConfig.scala
index 21f5c400b0..3b1791db8e 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/routing/RemoteRouterConfig.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/routing/RemoteRouterConfig.scala
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ case class RemoteRouterConfig(local: RouterConfig, nodes: Iterable[String]) exte
 
   override def createActor(): Router = local.createActor()
 
+  override def routerDispatcher: String = local.routerDispatcher
+
   override def resizer: Option[Resizer] = local.resizer
 
   override def withFallback(other: RouterConfig): RouterConfig = other match {
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/ProtobufSerializer.scala b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/ProtobufSerializer.scala
index f733e8188f..813a22fba4 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/ProtobufSerializer.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/serialization/ProtobufSerializer.scala
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 package akka.serialization
 
 import com.google.protobuf.Message
+import akka.actor.DynamicAccess
 
 /**
  * This Serializer serializes `com.google.protobuf.Message`s
@@ -19,7 +20,7 @@ class ProtobufSerializer extends Serializer {
     case _          ⇒ throw new IllegalArgumentException("Can't serialize a non-protobuf message using protobuf [" + obj + "]")
   }
 
-  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], clazz: Option[Class[_]], classLoader: Option[ClassLoader] = None): AnyRef =
+  def fromBinary(bytes: Array[Byte], clazz: Option[Class[_]]): AnyRef =
     clazz match {
       case None    ⇒ throw new IllegalArgumentException("Need a protobuf message class to be able to serialize bytes using protobuf")
       case Some(c) ⇒ c.getDeclaredMethod("parseFrom", ARRAY_OF_BYTE_ARRAY: _*).invoke(null, bytes).asInstanceOf[Message]
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/RemoteCommunicationSpec.scala b/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/RemoteCommunicationSpec.scala
index 88d80d6d81..73f8a98030 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/RemoteCommunicationSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/RemoteCommunicationSpec.scala
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ akka {
     /looker/child/grandchild.remote = "akka://RemoteCommunicationSpec@localhost:12345"
   }
 }
-""") with ImplicitSender {
+""") with ImplicitSender with DefaultTimeout {
 
   import RemoteCommunicationSpec._
 
@@ -59,8 +59,6 @@ akka {
 
   val here = system.actorFor("akka://remote_sys@localhost:12346/user/echo")
 
-  implicit val timeout = system.settings.ActorTimeout
-
   override def atTermination() {
     other.shutdown()
   }
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/RemoteDeployerSpec.scala b/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/RemoteDeployerSpec.scala
index 1b250f1ea9..57d240e8d8 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/RemoteDeployerSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/RemoteDeployerSpec.scala
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class RemoteDeployerSpec extends AkkaSpec(RemoteDeployerSpec.deployerConf) {
           service,
           deployment.get.config,
           RoundRobinRouter(3),
-          RemoteScope(Address("akka", "sys", Some("wallace"), Some(2552))))))
+          RemoteScope(Address("akka", "sys", "wallace", 2552)))))
     }
 
   }
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/RemoteRouterSpec.scala b/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/RemoteRouterSpec.scala
index bcabd85098..bf79caf847 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/RemoteRouterSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/RemoteRouterSpec.scala
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ akka.actor.deployment {
       children must have size 2
       val parents = children.map(_.parent)
       parents must have size 1
-      parents.head.address must be(Address("akka", "remote_sys", Some("localhost"), Some(12347)))
+      parents.head.address must be(Address("akka", "remote_sys", "localhost", 12347))
       children foreach (_.address.toString must be === "akka://remote_sys@localhost:12347")
       system.stop(router)
     }
diff --git a/akka-testkit/src/main/resources/reference.conf b/akka-testkit/src/main/resources/reference.conf
index e4ae685f4d..5e70df9403 100644
--- a/akka-testkit/src/main/resources/reference.conf
+++ b/akka-testkit/src/main/resources/reference.conf
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ akka {
     # duration to wait in expectMsg and friends outside of within() block by default
     single-expect-default = 3s
 
+    # The timeout that is added as an implicit by DefaultTimeout trait
+    default-timeout = 5s
+
     calling-thread-dispatcher {
       type = akka.testkit.CallingThreadDispatcherConfigurator
     }
diff --git a/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/CallingThreadDispatcher.scala b/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/CallingThreadDispatcher.scala
index 8282ee58f5..8b2d15a079 100644
--- a/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/CallingThreadDispatcher.scala
+++ b/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/CallingThreadDispatcher.scala
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock
 import java.util.LinkedList
 import scala.annotation.tailrec
 import com.typesafe.config.Config
-import akka.actor.{ ExtensionIdProvider, ExtensionId, Extension, ExtendedActorSystem, ActorRef, ActorCell }
+import akka.actor.{ ActorInitializationException, ExtensionIdProvider, ExtensionId, Extension, ExtendedActorSystem, ActorRef, ActorCell }
 import akka.dispatch.{ TaskInvocation, SystemMessage, Suspend, Resume, MessageDispatcherConfigurator, MessageDispatcher, Mailbox, Envelope, DispatcherPrerequisites, DefaultSystemMessageQueue }
 import akka.util.duration.intToDurationInt
 import akka.util.{ Switch, Duration }
@@ -132,6 +132,17 @@ class CallingThreadDispatcher(
 
   protected[akka] override def shutdownTimeout = 1 second
 
+  protected[akka] override def register(actor: ActorCell): Unit = {
+    super.register(actor)
+    actor.mailbox match {
+      case mbox: CallingThreadMailbox ⇒
+        val queue = mbox.queue
+        queue.enter
+        runQueue(mbox, queue)
+      case x ⇒ throw new ActorInitializationException("expected CallingThreadMailbox, got " + x.getClass)
+    }
+  }
+
   override def suspend(actor: ActorCell) {
     actor.mailbox match {
       case m: CallingThreadMailbox ⇒ m.suspendSwitch.switchOn
diff --git a/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/TestActorRef.scala b/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/TestActorRef.scala
index d42cfcf165..8a2f61bf76 100644
--- a/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/TestActorRef.scala
+++ b/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/TestActorRef.scala
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 package akka.testkit
 
 import akka.actor._
-import akka.util.{ ReflectiveAccess, Duration }
+import akka.util.Duration
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicLong
 import scala.collection.immutable.Stack
 import akka.dispatch._
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ class TestActorRef[T <: Actor](
     if (isTerminated) throw new IllegalActorStateException("underlying actor is terminated")
     underlying.actor.asInstanceOf[T] match {
       case null ⇒
-        val t = underlying.system.settings.ActorTimeout
+        val t = TestKitExtension(_system).DefaultTimeout
         Await.result(this.?(InternalGetActor)(t), t.duration).asInstanceOf[T]
       case ref ⇒ ref
     }
@@ -121,8 +121,7 @@ object TestActorRef {
   def apply[T <: Actor](implicit m: Manifest[T], system: ActorSystem): TestActorRef[T] = apply[T](randomName)
 
   def apply[T <: Actor](name: String)(implicit m: Manifest[T], system: ActorSystem): TestActorRef[T] = apply[T](Props({
-    import ReflectiveAccess.{ createInstance, noParams, noArgs }
-    createInstance[T](m.erasure, noParams, noArgs) match {
+    system.asInstanceOf[ExtendedActorSystem].dynamicAccess.createInstanceFor[T](m.erasure, Seq()) match {
       case Right(value) ⇒ value
       case Left(exception) ⇒ throw new ActorInitializationException(null,
         "Could not instantiate Actor" +
diff --git a/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/TestKit.scala b/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/TestKit.scala
index 4155ea662d..bdfab36ede 100644
--- a/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/TestKit.scala
+++ b/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/TestKit.scala
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.{ BlockingDeque, LinkedBlockingDeque, TimeUnit, atom
 import atomic.AtomicInteger
 import scala.annotation.tailrec
 import akka.actor.ActorSystem
+import akka.util.Timeout
 
 object TestActor {
   type Ignore = Option[PartialFunction[AnyRef, Boolean]]
@@ -644,5 +645,5 @@ trait ImplicitSender { this: TestKit ⇒
 }
 
 trait DefaultTimeout { this: TestKit ⇒
-  implicit val timeout = system.settings.ActorTimeout
+  implicit val timeout: Timeout = testKitSettings.DefaultTimeout
 }
diff --git a/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/TestKitExtension.scala b/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/TestKitExtension.scala
index ada5a4fd30..71ba8d0eac 100644
--- a/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/TestKitExtension.scala
+++ b/akka-testkit/src/main/scala/akka/testkit/TestKitExtension.scala
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ package akka.testkit
 
 import com.typesafe.config.Config
 import akka.util.Duration
+import akka.util.Timeout
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS
 import akka.actor.{ ExtensionId, ActorSystem, Extension, ExtendedActorSystem }
 
@@ -20,4 +21,5 @@ class TestKitSettings(val config: Config) extends Extension {
   val TestTimeFactor = getDouble("akka.test.timefactor")
   val SingleExpectDefaultTimeout = Duration(getMilliseconds("akka.test.single-expect-default"), MILLISECONDS)
   val TestEventFilterLeeway = Duration(getMilliseconds("akka.test.filter-leeway"), MILLISECONDS)
+  val DefaultTimeout = Timeout(Duration(getMilliseconds("akka.test.default-timeout"), MILLISECONDS))
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/akka-testkit/src/test/scala/akka/testkit/AkkaSpec.scala b/akka-testkit/src/test/scala/akka/testkit/AkkaSpec.scala
index 172bdc230f..95ce267320 100644
--- a/akka-testkit/src/test/scala/akka/testkit/AkkaSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-testkit/src/test/scala/akka/testkit/AkkaSpec.scala
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ class AkkaSpecSpec extends WordSpec with MustMatchers {
 
       try {
         var locker = Seq.empty[DeadLetter]
-        implicit val timeout = system.settings.ActorTimeout
+        implicit val timeout = TestKitExtension(system).DefaultTimeout
         implicit val davyJones = otherSystem.actorOf(Props(new Actor {
           def receive = {
             case m: DeadLetter ⇒ locker :+= m
diff --git a/akka-transactor/src/main/resources/reference.conf b/akka-transactor/src/main/resources/reference.conf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d91a50db33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/akka-transactor/src/main/resources/reference.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+#########################################
+# Akka Transactor Reference Config File #
+#########################################
+
+# This the reference config file has all the default settings.
+# Make your edits/overrides in your application.conf.
+
+akka {
+  transactor {
+    # The timeout used for coordinated transactions across actors
+    coordinated-timeout = 5s
+  }
+}
diff --git a/akka-transactor/src/main/scala/akka/transactor/Transactor.scala b/akka-transactor/src/main/scala/akka/transactor/Transactor.scala
index 627a5ab249..6e390a6623 100644
--- a/akka-transactor/src/main/scala/akka/transactor/Transactor.scala
+++ b/akka-transactor/src/main/scala/akka/transactor/Transactor.scala
@@ -93,6 +93,8 @@ case class SendTo(actor: ActorRef, message: Option[Any] = None)
  * @see [[akka.transactor.Coordinated]] for more information about the underlying mechanism
  */
 trait Transactor extends Actor {
+  private val settings = TransactorExtension(context.system)
+
   /**
    * Implement a general pattern for using coordinated transactions.
    */
@@ -108,7 +110,7 @@ trait Transactor extends Actor {
     }
     case message ⇒ {
       if (normally.isDefinedAt(message)) normally(message)
-      else receive(Coordinated(message)(context.system.settings.ActorTimeout))
+      else receive(Coordinated(message)(settings.CoordinatedTimeout))
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/akka-transactor/src/main/scala/akka/transactor/TransactorExtension.scala b/akka-transactor/src/main/scala/akka/transactor/TransactorExtension.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..96aea8904c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/akka-transactor/src/main/scala/akka/transactor/TransactorExtension.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Typesafe Inc. <http://www.typesafe.com>
+ */
+package akka.transactor
+
+import akka.actor.{ ActorSystem, ExtensionId, ExtensionIdProvider, ExtendedActorSystem }
+import akka.actor.Extension
+import com.typesafe.config.Config
+import akka.util.Timeout
+import akka.util.Duration
+import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS
+
+/**
+ * TransactorExtension is an Akka Extension to hold settings for transactors.
+ */
+object TransactorExtension extends ExtensionId[TransactorSettings] with ExtensionIdProvider {
+  override def get(system: ActorSystem): TransactorSettings = super.get(system)
+  override def lookup = TransactorExtension
+  override def createExtension(system: ExtendedActorSystem): TransactorSettings = new TransactorSettings(system.settings.config)
+}
+
+class TransactorSettings(val config: Config) extends Extension {
+  import config._
+  val CoordinatedTimeout = Timeout(Duration(getMilliseconds("akka.transactor.coordinated-timeout"), MILLISECONDS))
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/akka-transactor/src/main/scala/akka/transactor/UntypedTransactor.scala b/akka-transactor/src/main/scala/akka/transactor/UntypedTransactor.scala
index 0ffbd5e65c..353695fd73 100644
--- a/akka-transactor/src/main/scala/akka/transactor/UntypedTransactor.scala
+++ b/akka-transactor/src/main/scala/akka/transactor/UntypedTransactor.scala
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ import java.util.{ Set ⇒ JSet }
  * An UntypedActor version of transactor for using from Java.
  */
 abstract class UntypedTransactor extends UntypedActor {
+  private val settings = TransactorExtension(context.system)
+
   /**
    * Implement a general pattern for using coordinated transactions.
    */
@@ -29,7 +31,7 @@ abstract class UntypedTransactor extends UntypedActor {
       }
       case message ⇒ {
         val normal = normally(message)
-        if (!normal) onReceive(Coordinated(message)(context.system.settings.ActorTimeout))
+        if (!normal) onReceive(Coordinated(message)(settings.CoordinatedTimeout))
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/akka-zeromq/src/main/resources/reference.conf b/akka-zeromq/src/main/resources/reference.conf
index cfb5756156..b94a442c78 100644
--- a/akka-zeromq/src/main/resources/reference.conf
+++ b/akka-zeromq/src/main/resources/reference.conf
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-##############################
-# Akka Reference Config File #
-##############################
+#####################################
+# Akka ZeroMQ Reference Config File #
+#####################################
 
 # This the reference config file has all the default settings.
 # Make your edits/overrides in your application.conf.
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ akka {
     # The default timeout for a poll on the actual zeromq socket.
     poll-timeout = 100ms
 
+    # Timeout for creating a new socket
+    new-socket-timeout = 5s
+
     socket-dispatcher {
       # A zeromq socket needs to be pinned to the thread that created it.
       # Changing this value results in weird errors and race conditions within zeromq
diff --git a/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/ConcurrentSocketActor.scala b/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/ConcurrentSocketActor.scala
index 254a097d80..82a07d7aa3 100644
--- a/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/ConcurrentSocketActor.scala
+++ b/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/ConcurrentSocketActor.scala
@@ -187,12 +187,9 @@ private[zeromq] class ConcurrentSocketActor(params: Seq[SocketOption]) extends A
     fromConfig getOrElse context.system.dispatcher
   }
 
-  private val defaultPollTimeout =
-    Duration(context.system.settings.config.getMilliseconds("akka.zeromq.poll-timeout"), TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS)
-
   private val pollTimeout = {
     val fromConfig = params collectFirst { case PollTimeoutDuration(duration) ⇒ duration }
-    fromConfig getOrElse defaultPollTimeout
+    fromConfig getOrElse ZeroMQExtension(context.system).DefaultPollTimeout
   }
 
   private def newEventLoop: Option[Promise[PollLifeCycle]] = {
diff --git a/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/SocketOption.scala b/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/SocketOption.scala
index 9cded84da1..d3b824bca1 100644
--- a/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/SocketOption.scala
+++ b/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/SocketOption.scala
@@ -174,9 +174,12 @@ private[zeromq] case object Close extends Request
  *
  * @param payload the topic to subscribe to
  */
-case class Subscribe(payload: Seq[Byte]) extends PubSubOption
+case class Subscribe(payload: Seq[Byte]) extends PubSubOption {
+  def this(topic: String) = this(topic.getBytes("UTF-8"))
+}
 object Subscribe {
-  def apply(topic: String): Subscribe = new Subscribe(topic.getBytes)
+  def apply(topic: String): Subscribe = new Subscribe(topic)
+  val all = Subscribe(Seq.empty)
 }
 
 /**
@@ -188,9 +191,11 @@ object Subscribe {
  *
  * @param payload
  */
-case class Unsubscribe(payload: Seq[Byte]) extends PubSubOption
+case class Unsubscribe(payload: Seq[Byte]) extends PubSubOption {
+  def this(topic: String) = this(topic.getBytes("UTF-8"))
+}
 object Unsubscribe {
-  def apply(topic: String): Unsubscribe = Unsubscribe(topic.getBytes)
+  def apply(topic: String): Unsubscribe = new Unsubscribe(topic)
 }
 
 /**
@@ -204,7 +209,21 @@ case class Send(frames: Seq[Frame]) extends Request
  * @param frames
  */
 case class ZMQMessage(frames: Seq[Frame]) {
-  def firstFrameAsString = new String(frames.head.payload.toArray)
+
+  def this(frame: Frame) = this(Seq(frame))
+  def this(frame1: Frame, frame2: Frame) = this(Seq(frame1, frame2))
+  def this(frameArray: Array[Frame]) = this(frameArray.toSeq)
+
+  /**
+   * Convert the bytes in the first frame to a String, using specified charset.
+   */
+  def firstFrameAsString(charsetName: String): String = new String(frames.head.payload.toArray, charsetName)
+  /**
+   * Convert the bytes in the first frame to a String, using "UTF-8" charset.
+   */
+  def firstFrameAsString: String = firstFrameAsString("UTF-8")
+
+  def payload(frameIndex: Int): Array[Byte] = frames(frameIndex).payload.toArray
 }
 object ZMQMessage {
   def apply(bytes: Array[Byte]): ZMQMessage = ZMQMessage(Seq(Frame(bytes)))
diff --git a/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/ZMQMessageDeserializer.scala b/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/ZMQMessageDeserializer.scala
index 470c98617a..1776f21211 100644
--- a/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/ZMQMessageDeserializer.scala
+++ b/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/ZMQMessageDeserializer.scala
@@ -3,11 +3,18 @@
  */
 package akka.zeromq
 
+object Frame {
+  def apply(text: String): Frame = new Frame(text)
+}
+
 /**
  * A single message frame of a zeromq message
  * @param payload
  */
-case class Frame(payload: Seq[Byte])
+case class Frame(payload: Seq[Byte]) {
+  def this(bytes: Array[Byte]) = this(bytes.toSeq)
+  def this(text: String) = this(text.getBytes("UTF-8"))
+}
 
 /**
  * Deserializes ZeroMQ messages into an immutable sequence of frames
diff --git a/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/ZeroMQExtension.scala b/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/ZeroMQExtension.scala
index 20dbb0724a..25b35e4644 100644
--- a/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/ZeroMQExtension.scala
+++ b/akka-zeromq/src/main/scala/akka/zeromq/ZeroMQExtension.scala
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ import org.zeromq.{ ZMQ ⇒ JZMQ }
 import akka.actor._
 import akka.dispatch.{ Await }
 import akka.pattern.ask
+import akka.util.Duration
+import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit
+import akka.util.Timeout
 
 /**
  * A Model to represent a version of the zeromq library
@@ -22,6 +25,7 @@ case class ZeroMQVersion(major: Int, minor: Int, patch: Int) {
  * The [[akka.actor.ExtensionId]] and [[akka.actor.ExtensionIdProvider]] for the ZeroMQ module
  */
 object ZeroMQExtension extends ExtensionId[ZeroMQExtension] with ExtensionIdProvider {
+  override def get(system: ActorSystem): ZeroMQExtension = super.get(system)
   def lookup() = this
   def createExtension(system: ExtendedActorSystem) = new ZeroMQExtension(system)
 
@@ -42,6 +46,9 @@ object ZeroMQExtension extends ExtensionId[ZeroMQExtension] with ExtensionIdProv
  */
 class ZeroMQExtension(system: ActorSystem) extends Extension {
 
+  val DefaultPollTimeout = Duration(system.settings.config.getMilliseconds("akka.zeromq.poll-timeout"), TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS)
+  val NewSocketTimeout = Timeout(Duration(system.settings.config.getMilliseconds("akka.zeromq.new-socket-timeout"), TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS))
+
   /**
    * The version of the ZeroMQ library
    * @return a [[akka.zeromq.ZeroMQVersion]]
@@ -135,98 +142,100 @@ class ZeroMQExtension(system: ActorSystem) extends Extension {
    * @return the [[akka.actor.ActorRef]]
    */
   def newSocket(socketParameters: SocketOption*): ActorRef = {
-    implicit val timeout = system.settings.ActorTimeout
+    implicit val timeout = NewSocketTimeout
     val req = (zeromqGuardian ? newSocketProps(socketParameters: _*)).mapTo[ActorRef]
     Await.result(req, timeout.duration)
   }
 
   /**
-   * Java API helper
-   * Factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Publisher socket.
+   * Java API factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Publisher socket.
    * You can pass in as many configuration options as you want and the order of the configuration options doesn't matter
    * They are matched on type and the first one found wins.
    *
-   * @param socketParameters a varargs list of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socke
+   * @param socketParameters array of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socket
    * @return the [[akka.actor.ActorRef]]
    */
-  def newPubSocket(socketParameters: SocketOption*): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Pub +: socketParameters): _*)
+  def newPubSocket(socketParameters: Array[SocketOption]): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Pub +: socketParameters): _*)
 
   /**
-   * Java API helper
-   * Factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Subscriber socket.
-   * You can pass in as many configuration options as you want and the order of the configuration options doesn't matter
-   * They are matched on type and the first one found wins.
-   *
-   * @param socketParameters a varargs list of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socke
-   * @return the [[akka.actor.ActorRef]]
+   * Convenience for creating a publisher socket.
    */
-  def newSubSocket(socketParameters: SocketOption*): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Sub +: socketParameters): _*)
+  def newPubSocket(bind: Bind): ActorRef = newSocket(SocketType.Pub, bind)
 
   /**
-   * Java API helper
-   * Factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Dealer socket.
+   * Java API factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Subscriber socket.
    * You can pass in as many configuration options as you want and the order of the configuration options doesn't matter
    * They are matched on type and the first one found wins.
    *
-   * @param socketParameters a varargs list of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socke
+   * @param socketParameters array of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socket
    * @return the [[akka.actor.ActorRef]]
    */
-  def newDealerSocket(socketParameters: SocketOption*): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Dealer +: socketParameters): _*)
+  def newSubSocket(socketParameters: Array[SocketOption]): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Sub +: socketParameters): _*)
 
   /**
-   * Java API helper
-   * Factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Router socket.
-   * You can pass in as many configuration options as you want and the order of the configuration options doesn't matter
-   * They are matched on type and the first one found wins.
-   *
-   * @param socketParameters a varargs list of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socke
-   * @return the [[akka.actor.ActorRef]]
+   * Convenience for creating a subscriber socket.
    */
-  def newRouterSocket(socketParameters: SocketOption*): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Router +: socketParameters): _*)
+  def newSubSocket(connect: Connect, listener: Listener, subscribe: Subscribe): ActorRef = newSocket(SocketType.Sub, connect, listener, subscribe)
 
   /**
-   * Java API helper
-   * Factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Push socket.
+   * Java API factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Dealer socket.
    * You can pass in as many configuration options as you want and the order of the configuration options doesn't matter
    * They are matched on type and the first one found wins.
    *
-   * @param socketParameters a varargs list of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socke
+   * @param socketParameters array of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socket
    * @return the [[akka.actor.ActorRef]]
    */
-  def newPushSocket(socketParameters: SocketOption*): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Push +: socketParameters): _*)
+  def newDealerSocket(socketParameters: Array[SocketOption]): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Dealer +: socketParameters): _*)
 
   /**
-   * Java API helper
-   * Factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Pull socket.
+   * Java API factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Router socket.
    * You can pass in as many configuration options as you want and the order of the configuration options doesn't matter
    * They are matched on type and the first one found wins.
    *
-   * @param socketParameters a varargs list of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socke
+   * @param socketParameters array of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socket
    * @return the [[akka.actor.ActorRef]]
    */
-  def newPullSocket(socketParameters: SocketOption*): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Pull +: socketParameters): _*)
+  def newRouterSocket(socketParameters: Array[SocketOption]): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Router +: socketParameters): _*)
 
   /**
-   * Java API helper
-   * Factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Req socket.
+   * Java API factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Push socket.
    * You can pass in as many configuration options as you want and the order of the configuration options doesn't matter
    * They are matched on type and the first one found wins.
    *
-   * @param socketParameters a varargs list of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socke
+   * @param socketParameters array of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socket
    * @return the [[akka.actor.ActorRef]]
    */
-  def newReqSocket(socketParameters: SocketOption*): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Req +: socketParameters): _*)
+  def newPushSocket(socketParameters: Array[SocketOption]): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Push +: socketParameters): _*)
 
   /**
-   * Java API helper
-   * Factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Rep socket.
+   * Java API factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Pull socket.
    * You can pass in as many configuration options as you want and the order of the configuration options doesn't matter
    * They are matched on type and the first one found wins.
    *
-   * @param socketParameters a varargs list of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socke
+   * @param socketParameters array of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socket
    * @return the [[akka.actor.ActorRef]]
    */
-  def newRepSocket(socketParameters: SocketOption*): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Rep +: socketParameters): _*)
+  def newPullSocket(socketParameters: Array[SocketOption]): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Pull +: socketParameters): _*)
+
+  /**
+   * Java API factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Req socket.
+   * You can pass in as many configuration options as you want and the order of the configuration options doesn't matter
+   * They are matched on type and the first one found wins.
+   *
+   * @param socketParameters array of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socket
+   * @return the [[akka.actor.ActorRef]]
+   */
+  def newReqSocket(socketParameters: Array[SocketOption]): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Req +: socketParameters): _*)
+
+  /**
+   * Java API factory method to create the actor representing the ZeroMQ Rep socket.
+   * You can pass in as many configuration options as you want and the order of the configuration options doesn't matter
+   * They are matched on type and the first one found wins.
+   *
+   * @param socketParameters array of [[akka.zeromq.SocketOption]] to configure the socke
+   * @return the [[akka.actor.ActorRef]]
+   */
+  def newRepSocket(socketParameters: Array[SocketOption]): ActorRef = newSocket((SocketType.Rep +: socketParameters): _*)
 
   private val zeromqGuardian: ActorRef = {
     verifyZeroMQVersion
diff --git a/akka-zeromq/src/test/scala/akka/zeromq/ConcurrentSocketActorSpec.scala b/akka-zeromq/src/test/scala/akka/zeromq/ConcurrentSocketActorSpec.scala
index 7c498bd653..fe5b85b9dc 100644
--- a/akka-zeromq/src/test/scala/akka/zeromq/ConcurrentSocketActorSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-zeromq/src/test/scala/akka/zeromq/ConcurrentSocketActorSpec.scala
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ class ConcurrentSocketActorSpec
   "ConcurrentSocketActor" should {
     "support pub-sub connections" in {
       checkZeroMQInstallation
-      val (publisherProbe, subscriberProbe) = (TestProbe(), TestProbe())
+      val publisherProbe = TestProbe()
+      val subscriberProbe = TestProbe()
       val context = Context()
       val publisher = newPublisher(context, publisherProbe.ref)
       val subscriber = newSubscriber(context, subscriberProbe.ref)
@@ -68,7 +69,7 @@ class ConcurrentSocketActorSpec
       zmq.newSocket(SocketType.Pub, context, Listener(listener), Bind(endpoint))
     }
     def newSubscriber(context: Context, listener: ActorRef) = {
-      zmq.newSocket(SocketType.Sub, context, Listener(listener), Connect(endpoint), Subscribe(Seq.empty))
+      zmq.newSocket(SocketType.Sub, context, Listener(listener), Connect(endpoint), SubscribeAll)
     }
     def newMessageGenerator(actorRef: ActorRef) = {
       system.actorOf(Props(new MessageGeneratorActor(actorRef)))
@@ -110,7 +111,7 @@ class ConcurrentSocketActorSpec
     protected def receive = {
       case _ ⇒
         val payload = "%s".format(messageNumber)
-        messageNumber = messageNumber + 1
+        messageNumber += 1
         actorRef ! ZMQMessage(payload.getBytes)
     }
   }
diff --git a/project/AkkaBuild.scala b/project/AkkaBuild.scala
index 306aa38e8f..905e345dec 100644
--- a/project/AkkaBuild.scala
+++ b/project/AkkaBuild.scala
@@ -320,7 +320,8 @@ object AkkaBuild extends Build {
   lazy val docs = Project(
     id = "akka-docs",
     base = file("akka-docs"),
-    dependencies = Seq(actor, testkit % "test->test", remote, cluster, slf4j, agent, transactor, fileMailbox, mongoMailbox, redisMailbox, beanstalkMailbox, zookeeperMailbox),
+    dependencies = Seq(actor, testkit % "test->test", remote, cluster, slf4j, agent, transactor,
+        fileMailbox, mongoMailbox, redisMailbox, beanstalkMailbox, zookeeperMailbox, zeroMQ),
     settings = defaultSettings ++ Seq(
       unmanagedSourceDirectories in Test <<= baseDirectory { _ ** "code" get },
       libraryDependencies ++= Dependencies.docs,
@@ -347,6 +348,7 @@ object AkkaBuild extends Build {
   lazy val defaultSettings = baseSettings ++ formatSettings ++ Seq(
     resolvers += "Typesafe Repo" at "http://repo.typesafe.com/typesafe/releases/",
     resolvers += "Twitter Public Repo" at "http://maven.twttr.com", // This will be going away with com.mongodb.async's next release
+    resolvers += "Typesafe Snapshot Repo" at "http://repo.typesafe.com/typesafe/snapshots/", // Used while play-mini is still on RC
 
     // compile options
     scalacOptions ++= Seq("-encoding", "UTF-8", "-deprecation", "-unchecked") ++ (
@@ -472,7 +474,7 @@ object Dependencies {
 
   val tutorials = Seq(Test.scalatest, Test.junit)
 
-  val docs = Seq(Test.scalatest, Test.junit)
+  val docs = Seq(Test.scalatest, Test.junit, playMini)
 
   val zeroMQ = Seq(Test.scalatest, Test.junit, protobuf, Dependency.zeroMQ)
 }
@@ -496,6 +498,7 @@ object Dependency {
     val Slf4j        = "1.6.4"
     val Spring       = "3.0.5.RELEASE"
     val Zookeeper    = "3.4.0"
+    val PlayMini     = "2.0-RC1-SNAPSHOT"
   }
 
   // Compile
@@ -532,6 +535,7 @@ object Dependency {
   val zookeeper     = "org.apache.hadoop.zookeeper" % "zookeeper"              % V.Zookeeper  // ApacheV2
   val zookeeperLock = "org.apache.hadoop.zookeeper" % "zookeeper-recipes-lock" % V.Zookeeper  // ApacheV2
   val zeroMQ        = "org.zeromq"                  %% "zeromq-scala-binding"  % "0.0.3" // ApacheV2
+  val playMini      = "com.typesafe"                % "play-mini_2.9.1"        % V.PlayMini
 
   // Provided