diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/event/Logging.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/event/Logging.scala
index b91509ac9f..0777d9aef1 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/event/Logging.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/event/Logging.scala
@@ -875,3 +875,16 @@ class BusLogging(val bus: LoggingBus, val logSource: String, val logClass: Class
   protected def notifyInfo(message: String): Unit = bus.publish(Info(logSource, logClass, message))
   protected def notifyDebug(message: String): Unit = bus.publish(Debug(logSource, logClass, message))
 }
+
+private[akka] object NoLogging extends LoggingAdapter {
+  def isErrorEnabled = false
+  def isWarningEnabled = false
+  def isInfoEnabled = false
+  def isDebugEnabled = false
+
+  protected def notifyError(message: String): Unit = ()
+  protected def notifyError(cause: Throwable, message: String): Unit = ()
+  protected def notifyWarning(message: String): Unit = ()
+  protected def notifyInfo(message: String): Unit = ()
+  protected def notifyDebug(message: String): Unit = ()
+}
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/main/scala/akka/cluster/Cluster.scala b/akka-cluster/src/main/scala/akka/cluster/Cluster.scala
index a86bc0148c..c495e470ce 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/main/scala/akka/cluster/Cluster.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/main/scala/akka/cluster/Cluster.scala
@@ -118,6 +118,15 @@ object Member {
     case _         ⇒ None
   }
 
+  def pickHighestPriority(a: Set[Member], b: Set[Member]): Set[Member] = {
+    // group all members by Address => Seq[Member]
+    val groupedByAddress = (a.toSeq ++ b.toSeq).groupBy(_.address)
+    // pick highest MemberStatus
+    (Set.empty[Member] /: groupedByAddress) {
+      case (acc, (_, members)) ⇒ acc + members.reduceLeft(highestPriorityOf)
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * Picks the Member with the highest "priority" MemberStatus.
    */
@@ -130,8 +139,8 @@ object Member {
     case (_, Exiting)       ⇒ m2
     case (Leaving, _)       ⇒ m1
     case (_, Leaving)       ⇒ m2
-    case (Up, Joining)      ⇒ m1
-    case (Joining, Up)      ⇒ m2
+    case (Up, Joining)      ⇒ m2
+    case (Joining, Up)      ⇒ m1
     case (Joining, Joining) ⇒ m1
     case (Up, Up)           ⇒ m1
   }
@@ -268,21 +277,12 @@ case class Gossip(
     // 2. merge meta-data
     val mergedMeta = this.meta ++ that.meta
 
-    def pickHighestPriority(a: Seq[Member], b: Seq[Member]): Set[Member] = {
-      // group all members by Address => Seq[Member]
-      val groupedByAddress = (a ++ b).groupBy(_.address)
-      // pick highest MemberStatus
-      (Set.empty[Member] /: groupedByAddress) {
-        case (acc, (_, members)) ⇒ acc + members.reduceLeft(Member.highestPriorityOf)
-      }
-    }
-
     // 3. merge unreachable by selecting the single Member with highest MemberStatus out of the Member groups
-    val mergedUnreachable = pickHighestPriority(this.overview.unreachable.toSeq, that.overview.unreachable.toSeq)
+    val mergedUnreachable = Member.pickHighestPriority(this.overview.unreachable, that.overview.unreachable)
 
     // 4. merge members by selecting the single Member with highest MemberStatus out of the Member groups,
     //    and exclude unreachable
-    val mergedMembers = Gossip.emptyMembers ++ pickHighestPriority(this.members.toSeq, that.members.toSeq).
+    val mergedMembers = Gossip.emptyMembers ++ Member.pickHighestPriority(this.members, that.members).
       filterNot(mergedUnreachable.contains)
 
     // 5. fresh seen table
@@ -522,24 +522,28 @@ class Cluster(system: ExtendedActorSystem, val failureDetector: FailureDetector)
   }
 
   // start periodic gossip to random nodes in cluster
-  private val gossipTask = FixedRateTask(clusterScheduler, PeriodicTasksInitialDelay, GossipInterval) {
-    gossip()
-  }
+  private val gossipTask =
+    FixedRateTask(clusterScheduler, PeriodicTasksInitialDelay.max(GossipInterval), GossipInterval) {
+      gossip()
+    }
 
   // start periodic heartbeat to all nodes in cluster
-  private val heartbeatTask = FixedRateTask(clusterScheduler, PeriodicTasksInitialDelay, HeartbeatInterval) {
-    heartbeat()
-  }
+  private val heartbeatTask =
+    FixedRateTask(clusterScheduler, PeriodicTasksInitialDelay.max(HeartbeatInterval), HeartbeatInterval) {
+      heartbeat()
+    }
 
   // start periodic cluster failure detector reaping (moving nodes condemned by the failure detector to unreachable list)
-  private val failureDetectorReaperTask = FixedRateTask(clusterScheduler, PeriodicTasksInitialDelay, UnreachableNodesReaperInterval) {
-    reapUnreachableMembers()
-  }
+  private val failureDetectorReaperTask =
+    FixedRateTask(clusterScheduler, PeriodicTasksInitialDelay.max(UnreachableNodesReaperInterval), UnreachableNodesReaperInterval) {
+      reapUnreachableMembers()
+    }
 
   // start periodic leader action management (only applies for the current leader)
-  private val leaderActionsTask = FixedRateTask(clusterScheduler, PeriodicTasksInitialDelay, LeaderActionsInterval) {
-    leaderActions()
-  }
+  private val leaderActionsTask =
+    FixedRateTask(clusterScheduler, PeriodicTasksInitialDelay.max(LeaderActionsInterval), LeaderActionsInterval) {
+      leaderActions()
+    }
 
   createMBean()
 
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ConvergenceSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ConvergenceSpec.scala
index bdc0a1ae8b..52206f1b8c 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ConvergenceSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/ConvergenceSpec.scala
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ abstract class ConvergenceSpec
 
   "A cluster of 3 members" must {
 
-    "reach initial convergence" taggedAs LongRunningTest ignore {
+    "reach initial convergence" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
       awaitClusterUp(first, second, third)
 
       runOn(fourth) {
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ abstract class ConvergenceSpec
       testConductor.enter("after-1")
     }
 
-    "not reach convergence while any nodes are unreachable" taggedAs LongRunningTest ignore {
+    "not reach convergence while any nodes are unreachable" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
       val thirdAddress = node(third).address
       testConductor.enter("before-shutdown")
 
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ abstract class ConvergenceSpec
       testConductor.enter("after-2")
     }
 
-    "not move a new joining node to Up while there is no convergence" taggedAs LongRunningTest ignore {
+    "not move a new joining node to Up while there is no convergence" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
       runOn(fourth) {
         // try to join
         cluster.join(node(first).address)
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/JoinTwoClustersSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/JoinTwoClustersSpec.scala
index f4ea161b2a..4b64bb6e58 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/JoinTwoClustersSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/JoinTwoClustersSpec.scala
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ object JoinTwoClustersMultiJvmSpec extends MultiNodeConfig {
   val c1 = role("c1")
   val c2 = role("c2")
 
-  commonConfig(debugConfig(on = true).withFallback(MultiNodeClusterSpec.clusterConfig))
+  commonConfig(debugConfig(on = false).withFallback(MultiNodeClusterSpec.clusterConfig))
 }
 
 class JoinTwoClustersMultiJvmNode1 extends JoinTwoClustersSpec with FailureDetectorPuppetStrategy
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerExitingSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerExitingSpec.scala
index d9b2c7b876..88cee08191 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerExitingSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerExitingSpec.scala
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ object MembershipChangeListenerExitingMultiJvmSpec extends MultiNodeConfig {
       .withFallback(ConfigFactory.parseString("""
         akka.cluster {
           leader-actions-interval           = 5 s  # increase the leader action task interval
-          unreachable-nodes-reaper-interval = 30 s # turn "off" reaping to unreachable node set
+          unreachable-nodes-reaper-interval = 300 s # turn "off" reaping to unreachable node set
         }
       """)
         .withFallback(MultiNodeClusterSpec.clusterConfig)))
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerLeavingSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerLeavingSpec.scala
index eda29ea0f0..0640e58175 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerLeavingSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MembershipChangeListenerLeavingSpec.scala
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ object MembershipChangeListenerLeavingMultiJvmSpec extends MultiNodeConfig {
     debugConfig(on = false)
       .withFallback(ConfigFactory.parseString("""
         akka.cluster.leader-actions-interval           = 5 s
-        akka.cluster.unreachable-nodes-reaper-interval = 30 s
+        akka.cluster.unreachable-nodes-reaper-interval = 300 s # turn "off"
       """))
       .withFallback(MultiNodeClusterSpec.clusterConfig))
 }
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MultiNodeClusterSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MultiNodeClusterSpec.scala
index 7b08afc4a9..7d1457234f 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MultiNodeClusterSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/MultiNodeClusterSpec.scala
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ import akka.remote.testkit.MultiNodeSpec
 import akka.testkit._
 import akka.util.duration._
 import akka.util.Duration
+import org.scalatest.Suite
+import org.scalatest.TestFailedException
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap
 import akka.actor.ActorPath
 import akka.actor.RootActorPath
@@ -32,7 +34,7 @@ object MultiNodeClusterSpec {
     """)
 }
 
-trait MultiNodeClusterSpec extends FailureDetectorStrategy { self: MultiNodeSpec ⇒
+trait MultiNodeClusterSpec extends FailureDetectorStrategy with Suite { self: MultiNodeSpec ⇒
 
   override def initialParticipants = roles.size
 
@@ -59,6 +61,24 @@ trait MultiNodeClusterSpec extends FailureDetectorStrategy { self: MultiNodeSpec
    */
   implicit def role2Address(role: RoleName): Address = address(role)
 
+  // Cluster tests are written so that if previous step (test method) failed
+  // it will most likely not be possible to run next step. This ensures
+  // fail fast of steps after the first failure.
+  private var failed = false
+  override protected def withFixture(test: NoArgTest): Unit = try {
+    if (failed) {
+      val e = new TestFailedException("Previous step failed", 0)
+      // short stack trace
+      e.setStackTrace(e.getStackTrace.take(1))
+      throw e
+    }
+    super.withFixture(test)
+  } catch {
+    case t ⇒
+      failed = true
+      throw t
+  }
+
   /**
    * The cluster node instance. Needs to be lazily created.
    */
@@ -176,8 +196,8 @@ trait MultiNodeClusterSpec extends FailureDetectorStrategy { self: MultiNodeSpec
     def compare(x: RoleName, y: RoleName) = addressOrdering.compare(address(x), address(y))
   }
 
-  def roleName(address: Address): Option[RoleName] = {
-    testConductor.getNodes.await.find(node(_).address == address)
+  def roleName(addr: Address): Option[RoleName] = {
+    roles.find(address(_) == addr)
   }
 
 }
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingAndExitingSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingAndExitingSpec.scala
index 6378a74040..fc62c17c1d 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingAndExitingSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/NodeLeavingAndExitingSpec.scala
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ object NodeLeavingAndExitingMultiJvmSpec extends MultiNodeConfig {
       .withFallback(ConfigFactory.parseString("""
         akka.cluster {
           leader-actions-interval           = 5 s  # increase the leader action task frequency to make sure we get a chance to test the LEAVING state
-          unreachable-nodes-reaper-interval = 30 s
+          unreachable-nodes-reaper-interval = 300 s # turn "off"
         }
       """)
         .withFallback(MultiNodeClusterSpec.clusterConfig)))
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/SunnyWeatherSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/SunnyWeatherSpec.scala
index b8486841c6..6f3ddfc866 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/SunnyWeatherSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/SunnyWeatherSpec.scala
@@ -21,18 +21,17 @@ object SunnyWeatherMultiJvmSpec extends MultiNodeConfig {
 
   commonConfig(ConfigFactory.parseString("""
     akka.cluster {
-      gossip-interval    = 400 ms
       nr-of-deputy-nodes = 0
     }
     akka.loglevel = INFO
     """))
 }
 
-class SunnyWeatherMultiJvmNode1 extends SunnyWeatherSpec with FailureDetectorPuppetStrategy
-class SunnyWeatherMultiJvmNode2 extends SunnyWeatherSpec with FailureDetectorPuppetStrategy
-class SunnyWeatherMultiJvmNode3 extends SunnyWeatherSpec with FailureDetectorPuppetStrategy
-class SunnyWeatherMultiJvmNode4 extends SunnyWeatherSpec with FailureDetectorPuppetStrategy
-class SunnyWeatherMultiJvmNode5 extends SunnyWeatherSpec with FailureDetectorPuppetStrategy
+class SunnyWeatherMultiJvmNode1 extends SunnyWeatherSpec with AccrualFailureDetectorStrategy
+class SunnyWeatherMultiJvmNode2 extends SunnyWeatherSpec with AccrualFailureDetectorStrategy
+class SunnyWeatherMultiJvmNode3 extends SunnyWeatherSpec with AccrualFailureDetectorStrategy
+class SunnyWeatherMultiJvmNode4 extends SunnyWeatherSpec with AccrualFailureDetectorStrategy
+class SunnyWeatherMultiJvmNode5 extends SunnyWeatherSpec with AccrualFailureDetectorStrategy
 
 abstract class SunnyWeatherSpec
   extends MultiNodeSpec(SunnyWeatherMultiJvmSpec)
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/TransitionSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/TransitionSpec.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..16cc4b385f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/cluster/TransitionSpec.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,432 @@
+/**
+ *  Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Typesafe Inc. <http://www.typesafe.com>
+ */
+
+package akka.cluster
+
+import com.typesafe.config.ConfigFactory
+import akka.remote.testkit.MultiNodeConfig
+import akka.remote.testkit.MultiNodeSpec
+import akka.testkit._
+import akka.actor.Address
+import akka.remote.testconductor.RoleName
+import MemberStatus._
+
+object TransitionMultiJvmSpec extends MultiNodeConfig {
+  val first = role("first")
+  val second = role("second")
+  val third = role("third")
+  val fourth = role("fourth")
+  val fifth = role("fifth")
+
+  commonConfig(debugConfig(on = false).
+    withFallback(ConfigFactory.parseString(
+      "akka.cluster.periodic-tasks-initial-delay = 300 s # turn off all periodic tasks")).
+    withFallback(MultiNodeClusterSpec.clusterConfig))
+}
+
+class TransitionMultiJvmNode1 extends TransitionSpec with FailureDetectorPuppetStrategy
+class TransitionMultiJvmNode2 extends TransitionSpec with FailureDetectorPuppetStrategy
+class TransitionMultiJvmNode3 extends TransitionSpec with FailureDetectorPuppetStrategy
+class TransitionMultiJvmNode4 extends TransitionSpec with FailureDetectorPuppetStrategy
+class TransitionMultiJvmNode5 extends TransitionSpec with FailureDetectorPuppetStrategy
+
+abstract class TransitionSpec
+  extends MultiNodeSpec(TransitionMultiJvmSpec)
+  with MultiNodeClusterSpec {
+
+  import TransitionMultiJvmSpec._
+
+  // sorted in the order used by the cluster
+  def leader(roles: RoleName*) = roles.sorted.head
+  def nonLeader(roles: RoleName*) = roles.toSeq.sorted.tail
+
+  def memberStatus(address: Address): MemberStatus = {
+    val statusOption = (cluster.latestGossip.members ++ cluster.latestGossip.overview.unreachable).collectFirst {
+      case m if m.address == address ⇒ m.status
+    }
+    statusOption must not be (None)
+    statusOption.get
+  }
+
+  def memberAddresses: Set[Address] = cluster.latestGossip.members.map(_.address)
+
+  def members: Set[RoleName] = memberAddresses.flatMap(roleName(_))
+
+  def seenLatestGossip: Set[RoleName] = {
+    val gossip = cluster.latestGossip
+    gossip.overview.seen.collect {
+      case (address, v) if v == gossip.version ⇒ roleName(address)
+    }.flatten.toSet
+  }
+
+  def awaitSeen(addresses: Address*): Unit = awaitCond {
+    seenLatestGossip.map(node(_).address) == addresses.toSet
+  }
+
+  def awaitMembers(addresses: Address*): Unit = awaitCond {
+    memberAddresses == addresses.toSet
+  }
+
+  def awaitMemberStatus(address: Address, status: MemberStatus): Unit = awaitCond {
+    memberStatus(address) == Up
+  }
+
+  // DSL sugar for `role1 gossipTo role2`
+  implicit def roleExtras(role: RoleName): RoleWrapper = new RoleWrapper(role)
+  var gossipBarrierCounter = 0
+  class RoleWrapper(fromRole: RoleName) {
+    def gossipTo(toRole: RoleName): Unit = {
+      gossipBarrierCounter += 1
+      runOn(toRole) {
+        val g = cluster.latestGossip
+        testConductor.enter("before-gossip-" + gossipBarrierCounter)
+        awaitCond(cluster.latestGossip != g) // received gossip
+        testConductor.enter("after-gossip-" + gossipBarrierCounter)
+      }
+      runOn(fromRole) {
+        testConductor.enter("before-gossip-" + gossipBarrierCounter)
+        cluster.gossipTo(node(toRole).address) // send gossip
+        testConductor.enter("after-gossip-" + gossipBarrierCounter)
+      }
+      runOn(roles.filterNot(r ⇒ r == fromRole || r == toRole): _*) {
+        testConductor.enter("before-gossip-" + gossipBarrierCounter)
+        testConductor.enter("after-gossip-" + gossipBarrierCounter)
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  "A Cluster" must {
+
+    "start nodes as singleton clusters" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
+
+      startClusterNode()
+      cluster.isSingletonCluster must be(true)
+      cluster.status must be(Joining)
+      cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      cluster.leaderActions()
+      cluster.status must be(Up)
+
+      testConductor.enter("after-1")
+    }
+
+    "perform correct transitions when second joining first" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
+
+      runOn(second) {
+        cluster.join(first)
+      }
+      runOn(first) {
+        awaitMembers(first, second)
+        memberStatus(first) must be(Up)
+        memberStatus(second) must be(Joining)
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(false)
+      }
+      testConductor.enter("second-joined")
+
+      first gossipTo second
+      runOn(second) {
+        members must be(Set(first, second))
+        memberStatus(first) must be(Up)
+        memberStatus(second) must be(Joining)
+        // we got a conflicting version in second, and therefore not convergence in second
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(second))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(false)
+      }
+
+      second gossipTo first
+      runOn(first) {
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(first, second))
+      }
+
+      first gossipTo second
+      runOn(second) {
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(first, second))
+      }
+
+      runOn(first, second) {
+        memberStatus(first) must be(Up)
+        memberStatus(second) must be(Joining)
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      }
+      testConductor.enter("convergence-joining-2")
+
+      runOn(leader(first, second)) {
+        cluster.leaderActions()
+        memberStatus(first) must be(Up)
+        memberStatus(second) must be(Up)
+      }
+      testConductor.enter("leader-actions-2")
+
+      leader(first, second) gossipTo nonLeader(first, second).head
+      runOn(nonLeader(first, second).head) {
+        memberStatus(first) must be(Up)
+        memberStatus(second) must be(Up)
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(first, second))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      }
+
+      nonLeader(first, second).head gossipTo leader(first, second)
+      runOn(first, second) {
+        memberStatus(first) must be(Up)
+        memberStatus(second) must be(Up)
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(first, second))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      }
+
+      testConductor.enter("after-2")
+    }
+
+    "perform correct transitions when third joins second" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
+
+      runOn(third) {
+        cluster.join(second)
+      }
+      runOn(second) {
+        awaitMembers(first, second, third)
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(false)
+        memberStatus(third) must be(Joining)
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(second))
+      }
+      testConductor.enter("third-joined-second")
+
+      second gossipTo first
+      runOn(first) {
+        members must be(Set(first, second, third))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(false)
+        memberStatus(third) must be(Joining)
+      }
+
+      first gossipTo third
+      runOn(third) {
+        members must be(Set(first, second, third))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(false)
+        memberStatus(third) must be(Joining)
+        // conflicting version
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(third))
+      }
+
+      third gossipTo first
+      third gossipTo second
+      runOn(first, second) {
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(myself, third))
+      }
+
+      first gossipTo second
+      runOn(second) {
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(first, second, third))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      }
+
+      runOn(first, third) {
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(false)
+      }
+
+      second gossipTo first
+      second gossipTo third
+      runOn(first, second, third) {
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(first, second, third))
+        memberStatus(first) must be(Up)
+        memberStatus(second) must be(Up)
+        memberStatus(third) must be(Joining)
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      }
+
+      testConductor.enter("convergence-joining-3")
+
+      runOn(leader(first, second, third)) {
+        cluster.leaderActions()
+        memberStatus(first) must be(Up)
+        memberStatus(second) must be(Up)
+        memberStatus(third) must be(Up)
+      }
+      testConductor.enter("leader-actions-3")
+
+      // leader gossipTo first non-leader
+      leader(first, second, third) gossipTo nonLeader(first, second, third).head
+      runOn(nonLeader(first, second, third).head) {
+        memberStatus(third) must be(Up)
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(leader(first, second, third), myself))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(false)
+      }
+
+      // first non-leader gossipTo the other non-leader
+      nonLeader(first, second, third).head gossipTo nonLeader(first, second, third).tail.head
+      runOn(nonLeader(first, second, third).head) {
+        cluster.gossipTo(node(nonLeader(first, second, third).tail.head).address)
+      }
+      runOn(nonLeader(first, second, third).tail.head) {
+        memberStatus(third) must be(Up)
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(first, second, third))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      }
+
+      // and back again
+      nonLeader(first, second, third).tail.head gossipTo nonLeader(first, second, third).head
+      runOn(nonLeader(first, second, third).head) {
+        memberStatus(third) must be(Up)
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(first, second, third))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      }
+
+      // first non-leader gossipTo the leader
+      nonLeader(first, second, third).head gossipTo leader(first, second, third)
+      runOn(first, second, third) {
+        memberStatus(first) must be(Up)
+        memberStatus(second) must be(Up)
+        memberStatus(third) must be(Up)
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(first, second, third))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      }
+
+      testConductor.enter("after-3")
+    }
+
+    "startup a second separated cluster consisting of nodes fourth and fifth" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
+      runOn(fourth) {
+        cluster.join(fifth)
+        awaitMembers(fourth, fifth)
+        cluster.gossipTo(fifth)
+        awaitSeen(fourth, fifth)
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      }
+      runOn(fifth) {
+        awaitMembers(fourth, fifth)
+        cluster.gossipTo(fourth)
+        awaitSeen(fourth, fifth)
+        cluster.gossipTo(fourth)
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      }
+      testConductor.enter("fourth-joined-fifth")
+
+      testConductor.enter("after-4")
+    }
+
+    "perform correct transitions when second cluster (node fourth) joins first cluster (node third)" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
+
+      runOn(fourth) {
+        cluster.join(third)
+      }
+      runOn(third) {
+        awaitMembers(first, second, third, fourth)
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(third))
+      }
+      testConductor.enter("fourth-joined-third")
+
+      third gossipTo second
+      runOn(second) {
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(second, third))
+      }
+
+      second gossipTo fourth
+      runOn(fourth) {
+        members must be(roles.toSet)
+        // merge conflict
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(fourth))
+      }
+
+      fourth gossipTo first
+      fourth gossipTo second
+      fourth gossipTo third
+      fourth gossipTo fifth
+      runOn(first, second, third, fifth) {
+        members must be(roles.toSet)
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(fourth, myself))
+      }
+
+      first gossipTo fifth
+      runOn(fifth) {
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(first, fourth, fifth))
+      }
+
+      fifth gossipTo third
+      runOn(third) {
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(first, third, fourth, fifth))
+      }
+
+      third gossipTo second
+      runOn(second) {
+        seenLatestGossip must be(roles.toSet)
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      }
+
+      second gossipTo first
+      second gossipTo third
+      second gossipTo fourth
+      third gossipTo fifth
+
+      seenLatestGossip must be(roles.toSet)
+      memberStatus(first) must be(Up)
+      memberStatus(second) must be(Up)
+      memberStatus(third) must be(Up)
+      memberStatus(fourth) must be(Joining)
+      memberStatus(fifth) must be(Up)
+      cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+
+      testConductor.enter("convergence-joining-3")
+
+      runOn(leader(roles: _*)) {
+        cluster.leaderActions()
+        memberStatus(fourth) must be(Up)
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(myself))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(false)
+      }
+      // spread the word
+      for (x :: y :: Nil ← (roles.sorted ++ roles.sorted.dropRight(1)).toList.sliding(2)) {
+        x gossipTo y
+      }
+
+      testConductor.enter("spread-5")
+
+      seenLatestGossip must be(roles.toSet)
+      memberStatus(first) must be(Up)
+      memberStatus(second) must be(Up)
+      memberStatus(third) must be(Up)
+      memberStatus(fourth) must be(Up)
+      memberStatus(fifth) must be(Up)
+      cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+
+      testConductor.enter("after-5")
+    }
+
+    "perform correct transitions when second becomes unavailble" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
+      runOn(fifth) {
+        markNodeAsUnavailable(second)
+        cluster.reapUnreachableMembers()
+        cluster.latestGossip.overview.unreachable must contain(Member(second, Up))
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(fifth))
+      }
+
+      // spread the word
+      val gossipRound = List(fifth, fourth, third, first, third, fourth, fifth)
+      for (x :: y :: Nil ← gossipRound.sliding(2)) {
+        x gossipTo y
+      }
+
+      runOn((roles.filterNot(_ == second)): _*) {
+        cluster.latestGossip.overview.unreachable must contain(Member(second, Up))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(false)
+      }
+
+      runOn(third) {
+        cluster.down(second)
+        awaitMemberStatus(second, Down)
+      }
+
+      // spread the word
+      val gossipRound2 = List(third, fourth, fifth, first, third, fourth, fifth)
+      for (x :: y :: Nil ← gossipRound2.sliding(2)) {
+        x gossipTo y
+      }
+
+      runOn((roles.filterNot(_ == second)): _*) {
+        cluster.latestGossip.overview.unreachable must contain(Member(second, Down))
+        memberStatus(second) must be(Down)
+        seenLatestGossip must be(Set(first, third, fourth, fifth))
+        cluster.convergence.isDefined must be(true)
+      }
+
+      testConductor.enter("after-6")
+    }
+
+  }
+}
diff --git a/akka-cluster/src/test/scala/akka/cluster/GossipSpec.scala b/akka-cluster/src/test/scala/akka/cluster/GossipSpec.scala
index 449ebf7bff..8020010655 100644
--- a/akka-cluster/src/test/scala/akka/cluster/GossipSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-cluster/src/test/scala/akka/cluster/GossipSpec.scala
@@ -33,12 +33,12 @@ class GossipSpec extends WordSpec with MustMatchers {
       val g2 = Gossip(members = SortedSet(a2, c2, e2))
 
       val merged1 = g1 merge g2
-      merged1.members must be(SortedSet(a1, c1, e2))
-      merged1.members.toSeq.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Up, Leaving, Up))
+      merged1.members must be(SortedSet(a2, c1, e1))
+      merged1.members.toSeq.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Joining, Leaving, Joining))
 
       val merged2 = g2 merge g1
-      merged2.members must be(SortedSet(a1, c1, e2))
-      merged2.members.toSeq.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Up, Leaving, Up))
+      merged2.members must be(SortedSet(a2, c1, e1))
+      merged2.members.toSeq.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Joining, Leaving, Joining))
 
     }
 
@@ -48,12 +48,12 @@ class GossipSpec extends WordSpec with MustMatchers {
       val g2 = Gossip(members = Gossip.emptyMembers, overview = GossipOverview(unreachable = Set(a2, b2, c2, d2)))
 
       val merged1 = g1 merge g2
-      merged1.overview.unreachable must be(Set(a1, b2, c1, d2))
-      merged1.overview.unreachable.toSeq.sorted.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Up, Removed, Leaving, Removed))
+      merged1.overview.unreachable must be(Set(a2, b2, c1, d2))
+      merged1.overview.unreachable.toSeq.sorted.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Joining, Removed, Leaving, Removed))
 
       val merged2 = g2 merge g1
-      merged2.overview.unreachable must be(Set(a1, b2, c1, d2))
-      merged2.overview.unreachable.toSeq.sorted.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Up, Removed, Leaving, Removed))
+      merged2.overview.unreachable must be(Set(a2, b2, c1, d2))
+      merged2.overview.unreachable.toSeq.sorted.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Joining, Removed, Leaving, Removed))
 
     }
 
@@ -62,14 +62,14 @@ class GossipSpec extends WordSpec with MustMatchers {
       val g2 = Gossip(members = SortedSet(a2, c2), overview = GossipOverview(unreachable = Set(b2, d2)))
 
       val merged1 = g1 merge g2
-      merged1.members must be(SortedSet(a1))
-      merged1.members.toSeq.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Up))
+      merged1.members must be(SortedSet(a2))
+      merged1.members.toSeq.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Joining))
       merged1.overview.unreachable must be(Set(b2, c1, d2))
       merged1.overview.unreachable.toSeq.sorted.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Removed, Leaving, Removed))
 
       val merged2 = g2 merge g1
-      merged2.members must be(SortedSet(a1))
-      merged2.members.toSeq.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Up))
+      merged2.members must be(SortedSet(a2))
+      merged2.members.toSeq.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Joining))
       merged2.overview.unreachable must be(Set(b2, c1, d2))
       merged2.overview.unreachable.toSeq.sorted.map(_.status) must be(Seq(Removed, Leaving, Removed))
 
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/NettySSLSupport.scala b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/NettySSLSupport.scala
index 4c68069278..7e006373c2 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/NettySSLSupport.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/main/scala/akka/remote/netty/NettySSLSupport.scala
@@ -16,22 +16,22 @@ import akka.security.provider.AkkaProvider
  * Used for adding SSL support to Netty pipeline
  * Internal use only
  */
-private[netty] object NettySSLSupport {
+private[akka] object NettySSLSupport {
   /**
    * Construct a SSLHandler which can be inserted into a Netty server/client pipeline
    */
   def apply(settings: NettySettings, log: LoggingAdapter, isClient: Boolean): SslHandler =
     if (isClient) initialiseClientSSL(settings, log) else initialiseServerSSL(settings, log)
 
-  private def initialiseCustomSecureRandom(settings: NettySettings, log: LoggingAdapter): SecureRandom = {
+  def initialiseCustomSecureRandom(rngName: Option[String], sourceOfRandomness: Option[String], log: LoggingAdapter): SecureRandom = {
     /**
      * According to this bug report: http://bugs.sun.com/view_bug.do?bug_id=6202721
      * Using /dev/./urandom is only necessary when using SHA1PRNG on Linux
      * <quote>Use 'new SecureRandom()' instead of 'SecureRandom.getInstance("SHA1PRNG")'</quote> to avoid having problems
      */
-    settings.SSLRandomSource foreach { path ⇒ System.setProperty("java.security.egd", path) }
+    sourceOfRandomness foreach { path ⇒ System.setProperty("java.security.egd", path) }
 
-    val rng = settings.SSLRandomNumberGenerator match {
+    val rng = rngName match {
       case Some(r @ ("AES128CounterRNGFast" | "AES128CounterRNGSecure" | "AES256CounterRNGSecure")) ⇒
         log.debug("SSL random number generator set to: {}", r)
         val akka = new AkkaProvider
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ private[netty] object NettySSLSupport {
       trustStore.load(new FileInputStream(trustStorePath), trustStorePassword.toCharArray) //FIXME does the FileInputStream need to be closed?
       trustManagerFactory.init(trustStore)
       val trustManagers: Array[TrustManager] = trustManagerFactory.getTrustManagers
-      Option(SSLContext.getInstance(protocol)) map { ctx ⇒ ctx.init(null, trustManagers, initialiseCustomSecureRandom(settings, log)); ctx }
+      Option(SSLContext.getInstance(protocol)) map { ctx ⇒ ctx.init(null, trustManagers, initialiseCustomSecureRandom(settings.SSLRandomNumberGenerator, settings.SSLRandomSource, log)); ctx }
     } catch {
       case e: FileNotFoundException    ⇒ throw new RemoteTransportException("Client SSL connection could not be established because trust store could not be loaded", e)
       case e: IOException              ⇒ throw new RemoteTransportException("Client SSL connection could not be established because: " + e.getMessage, e)
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ private[netty] object NettySSLSupport {
       val keyStore = KeyStore.getInstance(KeyStore.getDefaultType)
       keyStore.load(new FileInputStream(keyStorePath), keyStorePassword.toCharArray) //FIXME does the FileInputStream need to be closed?
       factory.init(keyStore, keyStorePassword.toCharArray)
-      Option(SSLContext.getInstance(protocol)) map { ctx ⇒ ctx.init(factory.getKeyManagers, null, initialiseCustomSecureRandom(settings, log)); ctx }
+      Option(SSLContext.getInstance(protocol)) map { ctx ⇒ ctx.init(factory.getKeyManagers, null, initialiseCustomSecureRandom(settings.SSLRandomNumberGenerator, settings.SSLRandomSource, log)); ctx }
     } catch {
       case e: FileNotFoundException    ⇒ throw new RemoteTransportException("Server SSL connection could not be established because key store could not be loaded", e)
       case e: IOException              ⇒ throw new RemoteTransportException("Server SSL connection could not be established because: " + e.getMessage, e)
diff --git a/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/Ticket1978CommunicationSpec.scala b/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/Ticket1978CommunicationSpec.scala
index ff41e369ff..4ac3c7ffe0 100644
--- a/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/Ticket1978CommunicationSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-remote/src/test/scala/akka/remote/Ticket1978CommunicationSpec.scala
@@ -9,7 +9,9 @@ import com.typesafe.config._
 import akka.dispatch.{ Await, Future }
 import akka.pattern.ask
 import java.io.File
-import java.security.{ PrivilegedAction, AccessController }
+import java.security.{ SecureRandom, PrivilegedAction, AccessController }
+import netty.NettySSLSupport
+import akka.event.{ NoLogging, LoggingAdapter }
 
 object Configuration {
   // set this in your JAVA_OPTS to see all ssl debug info: "-Djavax.net.debug=ssl,keymanager"
@@ -38,38 +40,42 @@ object Configuration {
     }
   """
 
-  def getConfig(rng: String): String = {
-    conf.format(trustStore, keyStore, rng)
-  }
+  def getCipherConfig(cipher: String): (String, Boolean, Config) = if (try {
+    NettySSLSupport.initialiseCustomSecureRandom(Some(cipher), None, NoLogging) ne null
+  } catch {
+    case iae: IllegalArgumentException if iae.getMessage == "Cannot support %s with currently installed providers".format(cipher) ⇒ false
+    case nsae: java.security.NoSuchAlgorithmException ⇒ false
+  }) (cipher, true, ConfigFactory.parseString(conf.format(trustStore, keyStore, cipher))) else (cipher, false, AkkaSpec.testConf)
 }
 
-@org.junit.runner.RunWith(classOf[org.scalatest.junit.JUnitRunner])
-class Ticket1978SHA1PRNG extends Ticket1978CommunicationSpec(Configuration.getConfig("SHA1PRNG"))
+import Configuration.getCipherConfig
 
 @org.junit.runner.RunWith(classOf[org.scalatest.junit.JUnitRunner])
-class Ticket1978AES128CounterRNGFast extends Ticket1978CommunicationSpec(Configuration.getConfig("AES128CounterRNGFast"))
+class Ticket1978SHA1PRNGSpec extends Ticket1978CommunicationSpec(getCipherConfig("SHA1PRNG"))
+
+@org.junit.runner.RunWith(classOf[org.scalatest.junit.JUnitRunner])
+class Ticket1978AES128CounterRNGFastSpec extends Ticket1978CommunicationSpec(getCipherConfig("AES128CounterRNGFast"))
 
 /**
  * Both of the <quote>Secure</quote> variants require access to the Internet to access random.org.
  */
 @org.junit.runner.RunWith(classOf[org.scalatest.junit.JUnitRunner])
-class Ticket1978AES128CounterRNGSecure extends Ticket1978CommunicationSpec(Configuration.getConfig("AES128CounterRNGSecure"))
+class Ticket1978AES128CounterRNGSecureSpec extends Ticket1978CommunicationSpec(getCipherConfig("AES128CounterRNGSecure"))
 
 /**
  * Both of the <quote>Secure</quote> variants require access to the Internet to access random.org.
  */
 @org.junit.runner.RunWith(classOf[org.scalatest.junit.JUnitRunner])
-class Ticket1978AES256CounterRNGSecure extends Ticket1978CommunicationSpec(Configuration.getConfig("AES256CounterRNGSecure"))
+class Ticket1978AES256CounterRNGSecureSpec extends Ticket1978CommunicationSpec(getCipherConfig("AES256CounterRNGSecure"))
 
 @org.junit.runner.RunWith(classOf[org.scalatest.junit.JUnitRunner])
-class Ticket1978CommunicationSpec(val configuration: String)
-  extends AkkaSpec(configuration) with ImplicitSender with DefaultTimeout {
+class Ticket1978NonExistingRNGSecureSpec extends Ticket1978CommunicationSpec(("NonExistingRNG", false, AkkaSpec.testConf))
+
+@org.junit.runner.RunWith(classOf[org.scalatest.junit.JUnitRunner])
+abstract class Ticket1978CommunicationSpec(val cipherEnabledconfig: (String, Boolean, Config)) extends AkkaSpec(cipherEnabledconfig._3) with ImplicitSender with DefaultTimeout {
 
   import RemoteCommunicationSpec._
 
-  // default SecureRandom RNG
-  def this() = this(Configuration.getConfig(""))
-
   val conf = ConfigFactory.parseString("akka.remote.netty.port=12346").withFallback(system.settings.config)
   val other = ActorSystem("remote-sys", conf)
 
@@ -86,74 +92,79 @@ class Ticket1978CommunicationSpec(val configuration: String)
   }
 
   "SSL Remoting" must {
-
-    "support remote look-ups" in {
-      here ! "ping"
-      expectMsgPF() {
-        case ("pong", s: AnyRef) if s eq testActor ⇒ true
-      }
-    }
-
-    "send error message for wrong address" in {
-      EventFilter.error(start = "dropping", occurrences = 1).intercept {
-        system.actorFor("akka://remotesys@localhost:12346/user/echo") ! "ping"
-      }(other)
-    }
-
-    "support ask" in {
-      Await.result(here ? "ping", timeout.duration) match {
-        case ("pong", s: akka.pattern.PromiseActorRef) ⇒ // good
-        case m                                         ⇒ fail(m + " was not (pong, AskActorRef)")
-      }
-    }
-
-    "send dead letters on remote if actor does not exist" in {
-      EventFilter.warning(pattern = "dead.*buh", occurrences = 1).intercept {
-        system.actorFor("akka://remote-sys@localhost:12346/does/not/exist") ! "buh"
-      }(other)
-    }
-
-    "create and supervise children on remote node" in {
-      val r = system.actorOf(Props[Echo], "blub")
-      r.path.toString must be === "akka://remote-sys@localhost:12346/remote/Ticket1978CommunicationSpec@localhost:12345/user/blub"
-      r ! 42
-      expectMsg(42)
-      EventFilter[Exception]("crash", occurrences = 1).intercept {
-        r ! new Exception("crash")
-      }(other)
-      expectMsg("preRestart")
-      r ! 42
-      expectMsg(42)
-      system.stop(r)
-      expectMsg("postStop")
-    }
-
-    "look-up actors across node boundaries" in {
-      val l = system.actorOf(Props(new Actor {
-        def receive = {
-          case (p: Props, n: String) ⇒ sender ! context.actorOf(p, n)
-          case s: String             ⇒ sender ! context.actorFor(s)
+    if (cipherEnabledconfig._2) {
+      "support remote look-ups" in {
+        here ! "ping"
+        expectMsgPF() {
+          case ("pong", s: AnyRef) if s eq testActor ⇒ true
         }
-      }), "looker")
-      l ! (Props[Echo], "child")
-      val r = expectMsgType[ActorRef]
-      r ! (Props[Echo], "grandchild")
-      val remref = expectMsgType[ActorRef]
-      remref.isInstanceOf[LocalActorRef] must be(true)
-      val myref = system.actorFor(system / "looker" / "child" / "grandchild")
-      myref.isInstanceOf[RemoteActorRef] must be(true)
-      myref ! 43
-      expectMsg(43)
-      lastSender must be theSameInstanceAs remref
-      r.asInstanceOf[RemoteActorRef].getParent must be(l)
-      system.actorFor("/user/looker/child") must be theSameInstanceAs r
-      Await.result(l ? "child/..", timeout.duration).asInstanceOf[AnyRef] must be theSameInstanceAs l
-      Await.result(system.actorFor(system / "looker" / "child") ? "..", timeout.duration).asInstanceOf[AnyRef] must be theSameInstanceAs l
-    }
+      }
 
-    "not fail ask across node boundaries" in {
-      val f = for (_ ← 1 to 1000) yield here ? "ping" mapTo manifest[(String, ActorRef)]
-      Await.result(Future.sequence(f), remaining).map(_._1).toSet must be(Set("pong"))
+      "send error message for wrong address" in {
+        EventFilter.error(start = "dropping", occurrences = 1).intercept {
+          system.actorFor("akka://remotesys@localhost:12346/user/echo") ! "ping"
+        }(other)
+      }
+
+      "support ask" in {
+        Await.result(here ? "ping", timeout.duration) match {
+          case ("pong", s: akka.pattern.PromiseActorRef) ⇒ // good
+          case m                                         ⇒ fail(m + " was not (pong, AskActorRef)")
+        }
+      }
+
+      "send dead letters on remote if actor does not exist" in {
+        EventFilter.warning(pattern = "dead.*buh", occurrences = 1).intercept {
+          system.actorFor("akka://remote-sys@localhost:12346/does/not/exist") ! "buh"
+        }(other)
+      }
+
+      "create and supervise children on remote node" in {
+        val r = system.actorOf(Props[Echo], "blub")
+        r.path.toString must be === "akka://remote-sys@localhost:12346/remote/Ticket1978CommunicationSpec@localhost:12345/user/blub"
+        r ! 42
+        expectMsg(42)
+        EventFilter[Exception]("crash", occurrences = 1).intercept {
+          r ! new Exception("crash")
+        }(other)
+        expectMsg("preRestart")
+        r ! 42
+        expectMsg(42)
+        system.stop(r)
+        expectMsg("postStop")
+      }
+
+      "look-up actors across node boundaries" in {
+        val l = system.actorOf(Props(new Actor {
+          def receive = {
+            case (p: Props, n: String) ⇒ sender ! context.actorOf(p, n)
+            case s: String             ⇒ sender ! context.actorFor(s)
+          }
+        }), "looker")
+        l ! (Props[Echo], "child")
+        val r = expectMsgType[ActorRef]
+        r ! (Props[Echo], "grandchild")
+        val remref = expectMsgType[ActorRef]
+        remref.isInstanceOf[LocalActorRef] must be(true)
+        val myref = system.actorFor(system / "looker" / "child" / "grandchild")
+        myref.isInstanceOf[RemoteActorRef] must be(true)
+        myref ! 43
+        expectMsg(43)
+        lastSender must be theSameInstanceAs remref
+        r.asInstanceOf[RemoteActorRef].getParent must be(l)
+        system.actorFor("/user/looker/child") must be theSameInstanceAs r
+        Await.result(l ? "child/..", timeout.duration).asInstanceOf[AnyRef] must be theSameInstanceAs l
+        Await.result(system.actorFor(system / "looker" / "child") ? "..", timeout.duration).asInstanceOf[AnyRef] must be theSameInstanceAs l
+      }
+
+      "not fail ask across node boundaries" in {
+        val f = for (_ ← 1 to 1000) yield here ? "ping" mapTo manifest[(String, ActorRef)]
+        Await.result(Future.sequence(f), remaining).map(_._1).toSet must be(Set("pong"))
+      }
+    } else {
+      "not be run when the cipher is not supported by the platform this test is currently being executed on" ignore {
+
+      }
     }
 
   }