The class java.awt.Font is not backward compatible in the context of object serialization. The problem manifests itself when a java.awt.Font object is created in a JDK1.2 VM, is serialized out to a process running in a JDK1.1.4 VM, and then de-serialized within the JDK1.1.4. The exception that is thrown is

java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: java/awt/font/TextAttributeSet

To reproduce the problem get the following files:

(East Coast) ~jackson/java/bounce.tar
(West Coast) ~gjackson/java/bounce.tar

- untar to extract

Bounce.java
BounceFrame.java
SerialServer.java

- compile SerialServer and run in a 1.2 VM

java SerialServer

- edit BounceFrame by going to the line where a "Bounce" object is being created and specify the anme of the host that you are running the SerialServer on

- compile Bounce and BounceFrame and run in a 1.1.4 VM

java test.serialization.BounceFrame