diff --git a/config/alfresco/domain/transaction.properties b/config/alfresco/domain/transaction.properties
index 7caefb41f3..daab922c71 100644
--- a/config/alfresco/domain/transaction.properties
+++ b/config/alfresco/domain/transaction.properties
@@ -11,4 +11,11 @@ server.transaction.allow-writes=true
 server.transaction.max-retries=40
 server.transaction.min-retry-wait-ms=100
 server.transaction.max-retry-wait-ms=2000
-server.transaction.wait-increment-ms=100
\ No newline at end of file
+server.transaction.wait-increment-ms=100
+
+# Values specific to the importer bootstrap on first boot - allow for a
+# long-running transaction on one node
+server.setup.transaction.max-retries=40
+server.setup.transaction.min-retry-wait-ms=15000
+server.setup.transaction.max-retry-wait-ms=15000
+server.setup.transaction.wait-increment-ms=0
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/config/alfresco/import-export-context.xml b/config/alfresco/import-export-context.xml
index 3cb6ac527e..af35554754 100644
--- a/config/alfresco/import-export-context.xml
+++ b/config/alfresco/import-export-context.xml
@@ -213,6 +213,9 @@
         <property name="transactionService">
             <ref bean="transactionService"/>
         </property>
+        <property name="retryingTransactionHelper">
+            <ref bean="storeImporterTransactionHelper"/>
+        </property>
         <property name="nodeService">
             <ref bean="nodeService"/>
         </property>
@@ -238,6 +241,24 @@
     <bean id="storeImporterViews" class="org.alfresco.repo.importer.ImporterBootstrapViews" abstract="true">
     </bean>
 
+    <!-- This retrying transaction helper is tuned for longer-running transactions on initial setup  -->
+    <bean id="storeImporterTransactionHelper" class="org.alfresco.repo.transaction.RetryingTransactionHelper">
+        <property name="transactionService">
+            <ref bean="transactionService"/>
+        </property>
+        <property name="maxRetries">
+            <value>${server.setup.transaction.max-retries}</value>
+        </property>
+        <property name="minRetryWaitMs">
+            <value>${server.setup.transaction.min-retry-wait-ms}</value>
+        </property>
+        <property name="maxRetryWaitMs">
+            <value>${server.setup.transaction.max-retry-wait-ms}</value>
+        </property>
+        <property name="retryWaitIncrementMs">
+            <value>${server.setup.transaction.wait-increment-ms}</value>
+        </property>
+    </bean>
 
    <!--  -->
    <!--  Store specific Importers -->
diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/jcr/test/TestData.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/jcr/test/TestData.java
index 98ed717546..6b14914be7 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/jcr/test/TestData.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/jcr/test/TestData.java
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import java.util.Properties;
 import org.alfresco.repo.importer.ImporterBootstrap;
 import org.alfresco.repo.security.authentication.AuthenticationContext;
 import org.alfresco.repo.security.authentication.MutableAuthenticationDao;
+import org.alfresco.repo.transaction.RetryingTransactionHelper;
 import org.alfresco.repo.transaction.RetryingTransactionHelper.RetryingTransactionCallback;
 import org.alfresco.service.ServiceRegistry;
 import org.alfresco.service.cmr.repository.NodeService;
@@ -110,6 +111,7 @@ public class TestData
                 bootstrap.setNodeService((NodeService) applicationContext.getBean(ServiceRegistry.NODE_SERVICE.getLocalName()));
                 bootstrap.setNamespaceService((NamespaceService) applicationContext.getBean(ServiceRegistry.NAMESPACE_SERVICE.getLocalName()));
                 bootstrap.setTransactionService((TransactionService) applicationContext.getBean(ServiceRegistry.TRANSACTION_SERVICE.getLocalName()));
+                bootstrap.setRetryingTransactionHelper((RetryingTransactionHelper) applicationContext.getBean("storeImporterTransactionHelper"));
                 bootstrap.setStoreUrl(storeRef.toString());
 
                 List<Properties> views = new ArrayList<Properties>();
diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/descriptor/DescriptorServiceImpl.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/descriptor/DescriptorServiceImpl.java
index bac21f1e7b..62be916e2e 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/descriptor/DescriptorServiceImpl.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/descriptor/DescriptorServiceImpl.java
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@
 package org.alfresco.repo.descriptor;
 
 import java.lang.reflect.Constructor;
-import java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException;
 
 import org.alfresco.error.AlfrescoRuntimeException;
 import org.alfresco.repo.security.authentication.AuthenticationUtil;
@@ -42,6 +41,7 @@ import org.alfresco.util.VersionNumber;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.InitializingBean;
 import org.springframework.context.ApplicationContext;
 import org.springframework.context.ApplicationEvent;
+import org.springframework.context.ConfigurableApplicationContext;
 
 /**
  * Implementation of Descriptor Service.
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public class DescriptorServiceImpl extends AbstractLifecycleBean implements Desc
     /** The heart beat service. */
     @SuppressWarnings("unused")
     private Object heartBeat;
-    
+
     /** The server descriptor. */
     private Descriptor serverDescriptor;
 
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ public class DescriptorServiceImpl extends AbstractLifecycleBean implements Desc
      */
     public Descriptor getServerDescriptor()
     {
-        return serverDescriptor;
+        return this.serverDescriptor;
     }
 
     /*
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ public class DescriptorServiceImpl extends AbstractLifecycleBean implements Desc
      */
     public Descriptor getCurrentRepositoryDescriptor()
     {
-        return currentRepoDescriptor;
+        return this.currentRepoDescriptor;
     }
 
     /*
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ public class DescriptorServiceImpl extends AbstractLifecycleBean implements Desc
      */
     public Descriptor getInstalledRepositoryDescriptor()
     {
-        return installedRepoDescriptor;
+        return this.installedRepoDescriptor;
     }
 
     /*
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ public class DescriptorServiceImpl extends AbstractLifecycleBean implements Desc
      */
     public LicenseDescriptor getLicenseDescriptor()
     {
-        return (licenseService == null) ? null : licenseService.getLicense();
+        return this.licenseService == null ? null : this.licenseService.getLicense();
     }
 
     /*
@@ -165,15 +165,15 @@ public class DescriptorServiceImpl extends AbstractLifecycleBean implements Desc
     @Override
     protected void onBootstrap(ApplicationEvent event)
     {
-        // initialise the repository descriptor
-        // note: this requires that the repository schema has already been initialised
+        // Initialize the repository descriptor
+        // note: this requires that the repository schema has already been initialized
         final RetryingTransactionCallback<Descriptor> createDescriptorWork = new RetryingTransactionCallback<Descriptor>()
         {
             public Descriptor execute() throws ClassNotFoundException
             {
                 boolean initialiseHeartBeat = false;
 
-                // initialise license service (if installed)
+                // Initialize license service (if installed)
                 DescriptorServiceImpl.this.licenseService = (LicenseService) constructSpecialService("org.alfresco.enterprise.license.LicenseComponent");
                 if (DescriptorServiceImpl.this.licenseService == null)
                 {
@@ -181,12 +181,21 @@ public class DescriptorServiceImpl extends AbstractLifecycleBean implements Desc
                     initialiseHeartBeat = true;
                 }
 
+                // Make the license service available through the application context as a singleton for other beans
+                // that need it (e.g. the HeartBeat).
+                ApplicationContext applicationContext = getApplicationContext();
+                if (applicationContext instanceof ConfigurableApplicationContext)
+                {
+                    ((ConfigurableApplicationContext) applicationContext).getBeanFactory().registerSingleton(
+                            "licenseService", DescriptorServiceImpl.this.licenseService);
+                }
+
                 // verify license, but only if license component is installed
                 try
                 {
-                    licenseService.verifyLicense();
-                    LicenseDescriptor l = licenseService.getLicense();
-                    // Initialise the heartbeat unless it is disabled by the license
+                    DescriptorServiceImpl.this.licenseService.verifyLicense();
+                    LicenseDescriptor l = DescriptorServiceImpl.this.licenseService.getLicense();
+                    // Initialize the heartbeat unless it is disabled by the license
                     if (initialiseHeartBeat || l == null || !l.isHeartBeatDisabled())
                     {
                         DescriptorServiceImpl.this.heartBeat = constructSpecialService("org.alfresco.enterprise.heartbeat.HeartBeat");
@@ -194,14 +203,14 @@ public class DescriptorServiceImpl extends AbstractLifecycleBean implements Desc
                 }
                 catch (LicenseException e)
                 {
-                    // Initialise heart beat anyway
+                    // Initialize heart beat anyway
                     DescriptorServiceImpl.this.heartBeat = constructSpecialService("org.alfresco.enterprise.heartbeat.HeartBeat");
                     throw e;
                 }
 
                 // persist the server descriptor values
-                currentRepoDescriptor = DescriptorServiceImpl.this.currentRepoDescriptorDAO
-                        .updateDescriptor(serverDescriptor);
+                DescriptorServiceImpl.this.currentRepoDescriptor = DescriptorServiceImpl.this.currentRepoDescriptorDAO
+                        .updateDescriptor(DescriptorServiceImpl.this.serverDescriptor);
 
                 // create the installed descriptor
                 Descriptor installed = DescriptorServiceImpl.this.installedRepoDescriptorDAO.getDescriptor();
@@ -212,12 +221,12 @@ public class DescriptorServiceImpl extends AbstractLifecycleBean implements Desc
         {
             public Descriptor doWork() throws Exception
             {
-                return transactionService.getRetryingTransactionHelper().doInTransaction(createDescriptorWork,
-                        transactionService.isReadOnly(), false);
+                return DescriptorServiceImpl.this.transactionService.getRetryingTransactionHelper().doInTransaction(
+                        createDescriptorWork, DescriptorServiceImpl.this.transactionService.isReadOnly(), false);
             }
-        }, AuthenticationUtil.getSystemUserName());         
-        
-        ((ApplicationContext)event.getSource()).publishEvent(new DescriptorServiceAvailableEvent(this));
+        }, AuthenticationUtil.getSystemUserName());
+
+        ((ApplicationContext) event.getSource()).publishEvent(new DescriptorServiceAvailableEvent(this));
     }
 
     /*
@@ -242,7 +251,7 @@ public class DescriptorServiceImpl extends AbstractLifecycleBean implements Desc
     public void afterPropertiesSet() throws Exception
     {
         // initialise server descriptor
-        serverDescriptor = this.serverDescriptorDAO.getDescriptor();
+        this.serverDescriptor = this.serverDescriptorDAO.getDescriptor();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -498,8 +507,8 @@ public class DescriptorServiceImpl extends AbstractLifecycleBean implements Desc
                 String label = getVersionLabel();
                 String build = getVersionBuild();
 
-                boolean hasLabel = (label != null && label.length() > 0);
-                boolean hasBuild = (build != null && build.length() > 0);
+                boolean hasLabel = label != null && label.length() > 0;
+                boolean hasBuild = build != null && build.length() > 0;
 
                 // add opening bracket if either a label or build number is present
                 if (hasLabel || hasBuild)
diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/importer/ImporterBootstrap.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/importer/ImporterBootstrap.java
index a365772561..351d867098 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/importer/ImporterBootstrap.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/importer/ImporterBootstrap.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (C) 2005-2008 Alfresco Software Limited.
+ * Copyright (C) 2005-2009 Alfresco Software Limited.
  *
  * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
  * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
  * As a special exception to the terms and conditions of version 2.0 of 
  * the GPL, you may redistribute this Program in connection with Free/Libre 
  * and Open Source Software ("FLOSS") applications as described in Alfresco's 
- * FLOSS exception.  You should have recieved a copy of the text describing 
+ * FLOSS exception.  You should have received a copy of the text describing 
  * the FLOSS exception, and it is also available here: 
  * http://www.alfresco.com/legal/licensing"
  */
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ import org.alfresco.i18n.I18NUtil;
 import org.alfresco.repo.security.authentication.AuthenticationContext;
 import org.alfresco.repo.security.authentication.AuthenticationUtil;
 import org.alfresco.repo.security.authentication.AuthenticationUtil.RunAsWork;
+import org.alfresco.repo.transaction.RetryingTransactionHelper;
 import org.alfresco.repo.transaction.RetryingTransactionHelper.RetryingTransactionCallback;
 import org.alfresco.service.cmr.repository.NodeService;
 import org.alfresco.service.cmr.repository.StoreRef;
@@ -91,6 +92,7 @@ public class ImporterBootstrap extends AbstractLifecycleBean
     private UUID_BINDING uuidBinding = null;
     // Dependencies
     private TransactionService transactionService;
+    private RetryingTransactionHelper retryingTransactionHelper;
     private NamespaceService namespaceService;
     private NodeService nodeService;
     private ImporterService importerService;
@@ -140,8 +142,8 @@ public class ImporterBootstrap extends AbstractLifecycleBean
     public void setUuidBinding(UUID_BINDING uuidBinding)
     {
         this.uuidBinding = uuidBinding;
-    }
-
+    }    
+    
     /**
      * Sets the Transaction Service
      * 
@@ -151,8 +153,20 @@ public class ImporterBootstrap extends AbstractLifecycleBean
     {
         this.transactionService = transactionService;
     }
-    
+
     /**
+     * Sets the retrying transaction helper specific to the importer bootstrap. This transaction helper's parameters are
+     * tuned to the longer-running import transaction.
+     * 
+     * @param retryingTransactionHelper
+     *            the retrying transaction helper
+     */
+    public void setRetryingTransactionHelper(RetryingTransactionHelper retryingTransactionHelper)
+    {
+        this.retryingTransactionHelper = retryingTransactionHelper;
+    }
+
+    /**
      * Sets the namespace service
      * 
      * @param namespaceService the namespace service
@@ -314,6 +328,7 @@ public class ImporterBootstrap extends AbstractLifecycleBean
     public void bootstrap()
     {
         PropertyCheck.mandatory(this, "transactionService", transactionService);
+        PropertyCheck.mandatory(this, "retryingTransactionHelper", retryingTransactionHelper);
         PropertyCheck.mandatory(this, "namespaceService", namespaceService);
         PropertyCheck.mandatory(this, "nodeService", nodeService);
         PropertyCheck.mandatory(this, "importerService", importerService);
@@ -342,7 +357,7 @@ public class ImporterBootstrap extends AbstractLifecycleBean
                             return null;
                         }
                     };
-                    return transactionService.getRetryingTransactionHelper().doInTransaction(doImportCallback, transactionService.isReadOnly(), false);
+                    return retryingTransactionHelper.doInTransaction(doImportCallback, transactionService.isReadOnly(), false);
                 }
             };
             AuthenticationUtil.runAs(importRunAs, authenticationContext.getSystemUserName());
diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/service/license/LicenseDescriptor.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/service/license/LicenseDescriptor.java
index 60e5024a02..9390f2e301 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/service/license/LicenseDescriptor.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/service/license/LicenseDescriptor.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (C) 2005-2007 Alfresco Software Limited.
+ * Copyright (C) 2005-2009 Alfresco Software Limited.
  *
  * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
  * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
  * As a special exception to the terms and conditions of version 2.0 of 
  * the GPL, you may redistribute this Program in connection with Free/Libre 
  * and Open Source Software ("FLOSS") applications as described in Alfresco's 
- * FLOSS exception.  You should have recieved a copy of the text describing 
+ * FLOSS exception.  You should have received a copy of the text describing 
  * the FLOSS exception, and it is also available here: 
  * http://www.alfresco.com/legal/licensing"
  */
@@ -90,4 +90,11 @@ public interface LicenseDescriptor
      * @return <code>true</code> if this license allow the heartbeat to be disabled
      */
     public boolean isHeartBeatDisabled();
+    
+    /**
+     * Gets an alternative URL that the heart beat should post data to, or <code>null</code> if the default URL is to be used.
+     * 
+     * @return a URL or <code>null</code>
+     */
+    public String getHeartBeatUrl();
 }