We have an applet that communicates with a servlet by sending Java objects
over an HTTPS connection.
The applet is running under Java plugin
(tested in versions: 1.2.2_005, 1.3, 1.3.0_01).
The servlet is running under iplanet enterprise webserver 4.1.

The problem manifests itself when running the applet in
IE version 5.50.4522.1800 (Internet Explorer 5.5 Service pack 1),
which is the latest version available.

Both applet and server are running in NT 4.0 sp6.

Once in a while, the applet hangs (by taking 100% cpu time),
in the code sending the message to the server,
specifically in the call to close the outgoing stream.