diff --git a/net/mac80211/cfg.c b/net/mac80211/cfg.c
index 6ac4923..e9ba6fc 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/cfg.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/cfg.c
@@ -136,7 +136,6 @@
 	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata;
 	struct sta_info *sta = NULL;
 	enum ieee80211_key_alg alg;
-	int ret;
 	struct ieee80211_key *key;
 
 	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(dev);
@@ -170,12 +169,7 @@
 
 	ieee80211_key_link(key, sdata, sta);
 
-	ret = 0;
-
-	if (sta)
-		sta_info_put(sta);
-
-	return ret;
+	return 0;
 }
 
 static int ieee80211_del_key(struct wiphy *wiphy, struct net_device *dev,
@@ -184,7 +178,6 @@
 	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata;
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 	int ret;
-	struct ieee80211_key *key;
 
 	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(dev);
 
@@ -195,21 +188,18 @@
 
 		ret = 0;
 		if (sta->key) {
-			key = sta->key;
-			ieee80211_key_free(key);
+			ieee80211_key_free(sta->key);
 			WARN_ON(sta->key);
 		} else
 			ret = -ENOENT;
 
-		sta_info_put(sta);
 		return ret;
 	}
 
 	if (!sdata->keys[key_idx])
 		return -ENOENT;
 
-	key = sdata->keys[key_idx];
-	ieee80211_key_free(key);
+	ieee80211_key_free(sdata->keys[key_idx]);
 	WARN_ON(sdata->keys[key_idx]);
 
 	return 0;
@@ -292,8 +282,6 @@
 	err = 0;
 
  out:
-	if (sta)
-		sta_info_put(sta);
 	return err;
 }
 
@@ -311,7 +299,7 @@
 
 static void sta_set_sinfo(struct sta_info *sta, struct station_info *sinfo)
 {
-	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = sta->sdata;
 
 	sinfo->filled = STATION_INFO_INACTIVE_TIME |
 			STATION_INFO_RX_BYTES |
@@ -340,16 +328,20 @@
 {
 	struct ieee80211_local *local = wdev_priv(dev->ieee80211_ptr);
 	struct sta_info *sta;
+	int ret = -ENOENT;
+
+	rcu_read_lock();
 
 	sta = sta_info_get_by_idx(local, idx, dev);
-	if (!sta)
-		return -ENOENT;
+	if (sta) {
+		ret = 0;
+		memcpy(mac, sta->addr, ETH_ALEN);
+		sta_set_sinfo(sta, sinfo);
+	}
 
-	memcpy(mac, sta->addr, ETH_ALEN);
-	sta_set_sinfo(sta, sinfo);
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 
-	return 0;
+	return ret;
 }
 
 static int ieee80211_get_station(struct wiphy *wiphy, struct net_device *dev,
@@ -357,16 +349,21 @@
 {
 	struct ieee80211_local *local = wdev_priv(dev->ieee80211_ptr);
 	struct sta_info *sta;
+	int ret = -ENOENT;
 
-	sta = sta_info_get(local, mac);
-	if (!sta)
-		return -ENOENT;
+	rcu_read_lock();
 
 	/* XXX: verify sta->dev == dev */
-	sta_set_sinfo(sta, sinfo);
-	sta_info_put(sta);
 
-	return 0;
+	sta = sta_info_get(local, mac);
+	if (sta) {
+		ret = 0;
+		sta_set_sinfo(sta, sinfo);
+	}
+
+	rcu_read_unlock();
+
+	return ret;
 }
 
 /*
@@ -559,8 +556,8 @@
 	msg->xid_info[1] = 1;	/* LLC types/classes: Type 1 LLC */
 	msg->xid_info[2] = 0;	/* XID sender's receive window size (RW) */
 
-	skb->dev = sta->dev;
-	skb->protocol = eth_type_trans(skb, sta->dev);
+	skb->dev = sta->sdata->dev;
+	skb->protocol = eth_type_trans(skb, sta->sdata->dev);
 	memset(skb->cb, 0, sizeof(skb->cb));
 	netif_rx(skb);
 }
@@ -572,7 +569,7 @@
 	u32 rates;
 	int i, j;
 	struct ieee80211_supported_band *sband;
-	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = sta->sdata;
 
 	if (params->station_flags & STATION_FLAG_CHANGED) {
 		sta->flags &= ~WLAN_STA_AUTHORIZED;
@@ -644,14 +641,13 @@
 		sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(dev);
 
 	if (ieee80211_vif_is_mesh(&sdata->vif))
-		sta = mesh_plink_add(mac, DEFAULT_RATES, dev);
+		sta = mesh_plink_add(mac, DEFAULT_RATES, sdata);
 	else
-		sta = sta_info_add(local, dev, mac, GFP_KERNEL);
+		sta = sta_info_add(sdata, mac);
 
 	if (IS_ERR(sta))
 		return PTR_ERR(sta);
 
-	sta->dev = sdata->dev;
 	if (sdata->vif.type == IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_VLAN ||
 	    sdata->vif.type == IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_AP)
 		ieee80211_send_layer2_update(sta);
@@ -662,15 +658,14 @@
 
 	rate_control_rate_init(sta, local);
 
-	sta_info_put(sta);
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
 static int ieee80211_del_station(struct wiphy *wiphy, struct net_device *dev,
 				 u8 *mac)
 {
-	struct ieee80211_local *local = wdev_priv(dev->ieee80211_ptr);
+	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(dev);
+	struct ieee80211_local *local = sdata->local;
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 
 	if (mac) {
@@ -679,10 +674,14 @@
 		if (!sta)
 			return -ENOENT;
 
-		sta_info_free(sta);
-		sta_info_put(sta);
+		sta_info_unlink(&sta);
+
+		if (sta) {
+			synchronize_rcu();
+			sta_info_destroy(sta);
+		}
 	} else
-		sta_info_flush(local, dev);
+		sta_info_flush(local, sdata);
 
 	return 0;
 }
@@ -701,21 +700,19 @@
 	if (!sta)
 		return -ENOENT;
 
-	if (params->vlan && params->vlan != sta->dev) {
+	if (params->vlan && params->vlan != sta->sdata->dev) {
 		vlansdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(params->vlan);
 
 		if (vlansdata->vif.type != IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_VLAN ||
 		    vlansdata->vif.type != IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_AP)
 			return -EINVAL;
 
-		sta->dev = params->vlan;
+		sta->sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(params->vlan);
 		ieee80211_send_layer2_update(sta);
 	}
 
 	sta_apply_parameters(local, sta, params);
 
-	sta_info_put(sta);
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -735,23 +732,26 @@
 	if (sdata->vif.type != IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_MESH_POINT)
 		return -ENOTSUPP;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, next_hop);
-	if (!sta)
+	if (!sta) {
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return -ENOENT;
+	}
 
 	err = mesh_path_add(dst, dev);
-	if (err)
+	if (err) {
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return err;
+	}
 
-	rcu_read_lock();
 	mpath = mesh_path_lookup(dst, dev);
 	if (!mpath) {
 		rcu_read_unlock();
-		sta_info_put(sta);
 		return -ENXIO;
 	}
 	mesh_path_fix_nexthop(mpath, sta);
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+
 	rcu_read_unlock();
 	return 0;
 }
@@ -760,7 +760,7 @@
 				 u8 *dst)
 {
 	if (dst)
-		return mesh_path_del(dst, dev);
+		return mesh_path_del(dst, dev, false);
 
 	mesh_path_flush(dev);
 	return 0;
@@ -781,20 +781,22 @@
 	if (sdata->vif.type != IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_MESH_POINT)
 		return -ENOTSUPP;
 
-	sta = sta_info_get(local, next_hop);
-	if (!sta)
-		return -ENOENT;
-
 	rcu_read_lock();
+
+	sta = sta_info_get(local, next_hop);
+	if (!sta) {
+		rcu_read_unlock();
+		return -ENOENT;
+	}
+
 	mpath = mesh_path_lookup(dst, dev);
 	if (!mpath) {
 		rcu_read_unlock();
-		sta_info_put(sta);
 		return -ENOENT;
 	}
 
 	mesh_path_fix_nexthop(mpath, sta);
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+
 	rcu_read_unlock();
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/net/mac80211/debugfs_sta.c b/net/mac80211/debugfs_sta.c
index ed7c9f3..73cfb4d 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/debugfs_sta.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/debugfs_sta.c
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
 		STA_OPS(name)
 
 STA_FILE(aid, aid, D);
-STA_FILE(dev, dev->name, S);
+STA_FILE(dev, sdata->dev->name, S);
 STA_FILE(rx_packets, rx_packets, LU);
 STA_FILE(tx_packets, tx_packets, LU);
 STA_FILE(rx_bytes, rx_bytes, LU);
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@
 		const char __user *user_buf, size_t count, loff_t *ppos)
 {
 	struct sta_info *sta = file->private_data;
-	struct net_device *dev = sta->dev;
+	struct net_device *dev = sta->sdata->dev;
 	struct ieee80211_local *local = wdev_priv(dev->ieee80211_ptr);
 	struct ieee80211_hw *hw = &local->hw;
 	u8 *da = sta->addr;
diff --git a/net/mac80211/debugfs_sta.h b/net/mac80211/debugfs_sta.h
index 574a1cd..8b60890 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/debugfs_sta.h
+++ b/net/mac80211/debugfs_sta.h
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef __MAC80211_DEBUGFS_STA_H
 #define __MAC80211_DEBUGFS_STA_H
 
+#include "sta_info.h"
+
 #ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_DEBUGFS
 void ieee80211_sta_debugfs_add(struct sta_info *sta);
 void ieee80211_sta_debugfs_remove(struct sta_info *sta);
diff --git a/net/mac80211/ieee80211.c b/net/mac80211/ieee80211.c
index 727af29..85b1391 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/ieee80211.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/ieee80211.c
@@ -375,15 +375,19 @@
 
 	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(dev);
 
-	list_for_each_entry(sta, &local->sta_list, list) {
-		if (sta->dev == dev)
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
+	list_for_each_entry_rcu(sta, &local->sta_list, list) {
+		if (sta->sdata == sdata)
 			for (i = 0; i <  STA_TID_NUM; i++)
-				ieee80211_sta_stop_rx_ba_session(sta->dev,
+				ieee80211_sta_stop_rx_ba_session(sdata->dev,
 						sta->addr, i,
 						WLAN_BACK_RECIPIENT,
 						WLAN_REASON_QSTA_LEAVE_QBSS);
 	}
 
+	rcu_read_unlock();
+
 	netif_stop_queue(dev);
 
 	/*
@@ -449,7 +453,7 @@
 		netif_tx_unlock_bh(local->mdev);
 		break;
 	case IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_MESH_POINT:
-		sta_info_flush(local, dev);
+		sta_info_flush(local, sdata);
 		/* fall through */
 	case IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_STA:
 	case IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_IBSS:
@@ -522,9 +526,12 @@
 				print_mac(mac, ra), tid);
 #endif /* CONFIG_MAC80211_HT_DEBUG */
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, ra);
 	if (!sta) {
 		printk(KERN_DEBUG "Could not find the station\n");
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return -ENOENT;
 	}
 
@@ -564,7 +571,7 @@
 		spin_unlock_bh(&local->mdev->queue_lock);
 		goto start_ba_exit;
 	}
-	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	sdata = sta->sdata;
 
 	/* Ok, the Addba frame hasn't been sent yet, but if the driver calls the
 	 * call back right away, it must see that the flow has begun */
@@ -601,7 +608,7 @@
 			sta->ampdu_mlme.dialog_token_allocator;
 	sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_tx[tid].ssn = start_seq_num;
 
-	ieee80211_send_addba_request(sta->dev, ra, tid,
+	ieee80211_send_addba_request(sta->sdata->dev, ra, tid,
 			 sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_tx[tid].dialog_token,
 			 sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_tx[tid].ssn,
 			 0x40, 5000);
@@ -614,7 +621,7 @@
 
 start_ba_exit:
 	spin_unlock_bh(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_tx);
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 	return ret;
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(ieee80211_start_tx_ba_session);
@@ -637,9 +644,12 @@
 				print_mac(mac, ra), tid);
 #endif /* CONFIG_MAC80211_HT_DEBUG */
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, ra);
-	if (!sta)
+	if (!sta) {
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return -ENOENT;
+	}
 
 	/* check if the TID is in aggregation */
 	state = &sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_tx[tid].state;
@@ -673,7 +683,7 @@
 
 stop_BA_exit:
 	spin_unlock_bh(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_tx);
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 	return ret;
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(ieee80211_stop_tx_ba_session);
@@ -691,8 +701,10 @@
 		return;
 	}
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, ra);
 	if (!sta) {
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		printk(KERN_DEBUG "Could not find station: %s\n",
 				print_mac(mac, ra));
 		return;
@@ -705,7 +717,7 @@
 		printk(KERN_DEBUG "addBA was not requested yet, state is %d\n",
 				*state);
 		spin_unlock_bh(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_tx);
-		sta_info_put(sta);
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -718,7 +730,7 @@
 		ieee80211_wake_queue(hw, sta->tid_to_tx_q[tid]);
 	}
 	spin_unlock_bh(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_tx);
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(ieee80211_start_tx_ba_cb);
 
@@ -739,10 +751,12 @@
 	printk(KERN_DEBUG "Stop a BA session requested on DA %s tid %d\n",
 				print_mac(mac, ra), tid);
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, ra);
 	if (!sta) {
 		printk(KERN_DEBUG "Could not find station: %s\n",
 				print_mac(mac, ra));
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
 	}
 	state = &sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_tx[tid].state;
@@ -750,13 +764,13 @@
 	spin_lock_bh(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_tx);
 	if ((*state & HT_AGG_STATE_REQ_STOP_BA_MSK) == 0) {
 		printk(KERN_DEBUG "unexpected callback to A-MPDU stop\n");
-		sta_info_put(sta);
 		spin_unlock_bh(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_tx);
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
 	}
 
 	if (*state & HT_AGG_STATE_INITIATOR_MSK)
-		ieee80211_send_delba(sta->dev, ra, tid,
+		ieee80211_send_delba(sta->sdata->dev, ra, tid,
 			WLAN_BACK_INITIATOR, WLAN_REASON_QSTA_NOT_USE);
 
 	agg_queue = sta->tid_to_tx_q[tid];
@@ -777,7 +791,7 @@
 	sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_tx[tid].addba_req_num = 0;
 	spin_unlock_bh(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_tx);
 
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(ieee80211_stop_tx_ba_cb);
 
@@ -887,32 +901,41 @@
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mac);
 
+	might_sleep();
+
 	if (compare_ether_addr(remote_addr, sdata->u.wds.remote_addr) == 0)
 		return 0;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	/* Create STA entry for the new peer */
-	sta = sta_info_add(local, dev, remote_addr, GFP_KERNEL);
-	if (IS_ERR(sta))
+	sta = sta_info_add(sdata, remote_addr);
+	if (IS_ERR(sta)) {
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return PTR_ERR(sta);
+	}
 
 	sta->flags |= WLAN_STA_AUTHORIZED;
 
-	sta_info_put(sta);
-
 	/* Remove STA entry for the old peer */
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, sdata->u.wds.remote_addr);
-	if (sta) {
-		sta_info_free(sta);
-		sta_info_put(sta);
-	} else {
+	if (sta)
+		sta_info_unlink(&sta);
+	else
 		printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s: could not find STA entry for WDS link "
 		       "peer %s\n",
 		       dev->name, print_mac(mac, sdata->u.wds.remote_addr));
-	}
 
 	/* Update WDS link data */
 	memcpy(&sdata->u.wds.remote_addr, remote_addr, ETH_ALEN);
 
+	rcu_read_unlock();
+
+	if (sta) {
+		synchronize_rcu();
+		sta_info_destroy(sta);
+	}
+
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -1330,6 +1353,8 @@
 		return;
 	}
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	if (status->excessive_retries) {
 		struct sta_info *sta;
 		sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr->addr1);
@@ -1343,10 +1368,9 @@
 				status->flags |= IEEE80211_TX_STATUS_TX_FILTERED;
 				ieee80211_handle_filtered_frame(local, sta,
 								skb, status);
-				sta_info_put(sta);
+				rcu_read_unlock();
 				return;
 			}
-			sta_info_put(sta);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -1356,12 +1380,14 @@
 		if (sta) {
 			ieee80211_handle_filtered_frame(local, sta, skb,
 							status);
-			sta_info_put(sta);
+			rcu_read_unlock();
 			return;
 		}
 	} else
 		rate_control_tx_status(local->mdev, skb, status);
 
+	rcu_read_unlock();
+
 	ieee80211_led_tx(local, 0);
 
 	/* SNMP counters
diff --git a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_i.h b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_i.h
index d3b5cc5..8e440c5 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_i.h
+++ b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_i.h
@@ -574,6 +574,7 @@
 	unsigned int filter_flags; /* FIF_* */
 	struct iw_statistics wstats;
 	u8 wstats_flags;
+	bool tim_in_locked_section; /* see ieee80211_beacon_get() */
 	int tx_headroom; /* required headroom for hardware/radiotap */
 
 	enum {
@@ -591,9 +592,15 @@
 	struct sk_buff_head skb_queue;
 	struct sk_buff_head skb_queue_unreliable;
 
-	/* Station data structures */
-	rwlock_t sta_lock; /* protects STA data structures */
-	int num_sta; /* number of stations in sta_list */
+	/* Station data */
+	/*
+	 * The lock only protects the list, hash, timer and counter
+	 * against manipulation, reads are done in RCU. Additionally,
+	 * the lock protects each BSS's TIM bitmap and a few items
+	 * in a STA info structure.
+	 */
+	spinlock_t sta_lock;
+	unsigned long num_sta;
 	struct list_head sta_list;
 	struct sta_info *sta_hash[STA_HASH_SIZE];
 	struct timer_list sta_cleanup;
diff --git a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_iface.c b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_iface.c
index b0f17a2..98b22736 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_iface.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_iface.c
@@ -240,16 +240,21 @@
 		break;
 	}
 	case IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_WDS:
+		rcu_read_lock();
 		sta = sta_info_get(local, sdata->u.wds.remote_addr);
 		if (sta) {
-			sta_info_free(sta);
-			sta_info_put(sta);
+			sta_info_unlink(&sta);
 		} else {
 #ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_VERBOSE_DEBUG
 			printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s: Someone had deleted my STA "
 			       "entry for the WDS link\n", dev->name);
 #endif /* CONFIG_MAC80211_VERBOSE_DEBUG */
 		}
+		rcu_read_unlock();
+		if (sta) {
+			synchronize_rcu();
+			sta_info_destroy(sta);
+		}
 		break;
 	case IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_MESH_POINT:
 	case IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_STA:
@@ -275,7 +280,7 @@
 	}
 
 	/* remove all STAs that are bound to this virtual interface */
-	sta_info_flush(local, dev);
+	sta_info_flush(local, sdata);
 
 	memset(&sdata->u, 0, sizeof(sdata->u));
 	ieee80211_if_sdata_init(sdata);
diff --git a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_ioctl.c b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_ioctl.c
index 38e2d83..5147152 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_ioctl.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_ioctl.c
@@ -33,8 +33,7 @@
 				    size_t key_len)
 {
 	struct ieee80211_local *local = wdev_priv(dev->ieee80211_ptr);
-	int ret;
-	struct sta_info *sta = NULL;
+	struct sta_info *sta;
 	struct ieee80211_key *key;
 	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata;
 
@@ -51,24 +50,23 @@
 			key = sdata->keys[idx];
 		} else {
 			sta = sta_info_get(local, sta_addr);
-			if (!sta) {
-				ret = -ENOENT;
-				key = NULL;
-				goto err_out;
-			}
-
+			if (!sta)
+				return -ENOENT;
 			key = sta->key;
 		}
 
 		if (!key)
-			ret = -ENOENT;
-		else
-			ret = 0;
+			return -ENOENT;
+
+		ieee80211_key_free(key);
+		return 0;
 	} else {
 		key = ieee80211_key_alloc(alg, idx, key_len, _key);
 		if (!key)
 			return -ENOMEM;
 
+		sta = NULL;
+
 		if (!is_broadcast_ether_addr(sta_addr)) {
 			set_tx_key = 0;
 			/*
@@ -78,14 +76,14 @@
 			 * work around this.
 			 */
 			if (idx != 0 && alg != ALG_WEP) {
-				ret = -EINVAL;
-				goto err_out;
+				ieee80211_key_free(key);
+				return -EINVAL;
 			}
 
 			sta = sta_info_get(local, sta_addr);
 			if (!sta) {
-				ret = -ENOENT;
-				goto err_out;
+				ieee80211_key_free(key);
+				return -ENOENT;
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -93,18 +91,9 @@
 
 		if (set_tx_key || (!sta && !sdata->default_key && key))
 			ieee80211_set_default_key(sdata, idx);
-
-		/* don't free key later */
-		key = NULL;
-
-		ret = 0;
 	}
 
- err_out:
-	if (sta)
-		sta_info_put(sta);
-	ieee80211_key_free(key);
-	return ret;
+	return 0;
 }
 
 static int ieee80211_ioctl_siwgenie(struct net_device *dev,
@@ -625,7 +614,7 @@
 	else
 		rate->value = 0;
 	rate->value *= 100000;
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -1000,7 +989,6 @@
 		wstats->qual.qual = sta->last_signal;
 		wstats->qual.noise = sta->last_noise;
 		wstats->qual.updated = local->wstats_flags;
-		sta_info_put(sta);
 	}
 	return wstats;
 }
diff --git a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_rate.c b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_rate.c
index ebe29b7..4de06f1 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_rate.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_rate.c
@@ -170,9 +170,12 @@
 	struct ieee80211_local *local = wdev_priv(dev->ieee80211_ptr);
 	struct rate_control_ref *ref = local->rate_ctrl;
 	struct ieee80211_hdr *hdr = (struct ieee80211_hdr *) skb->data;
-	struct sta_info *sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr->addr1);
+	struct sta_info *sta;
 	int i;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+	sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr->addr1);
+
 	memset(sel, 0, sizeof(struct rate_selection));
 
 	ref->ops->get_rate(ref->priv, dev, sband, skb, sel);
@@ -190,8 +193,7 @@
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (sta)
-		sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 }
 
 struct rate_control_ref *rate_control_get(struct rate_control_ref *ref)
diff --git a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_rate.h b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_rate.h
index 5f9a2ca..bfd0a19 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_rate.h
+++ b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_rate.h
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include <linux/netdevice.h>
 #include <linux/skbuff.h>
 #include <linux/types.h>
+#include <linux/kref.h>
 #include <net/mac80211.h>
 #include "ieee80211_i.h"
 #include "sta_info.h"
diff --git a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_sta.c b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_sta.c
index 9f933ae..a3e96eb 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_sta.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_sta.c
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include <linux/wireless.h>
 #include <linux/random.h>
 #include <linux/etherdevice.h>
+#include <linux/rtnetlink.h>
 #include <net/iw_handler.h>
 #include <asm/types.h>
 
@@ -845,6 +846,8 @@
 
 	ifsta->state = IEEE80211_ASSOCIATED;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, ifsta->bssid);
 	if (!sta) {
 		printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s: No STA entry for own AP %s\n",
@@ -860,7 +863,7 @@
 				       "range\n",
 				       dev->name, print_mac(mac, ifsta->bssid));
 				disassoc = 1;
-				sta_info_free(sta);
+				sta_info_unlink(&sta);
 			} else
 				ieee80211_send_probe_req(dev, ifsta->bssid,
 							 local->scan_ssid,
@@ -876,8 +879,17 @@
 							 ifsta->ssid_len);
 			}
 		}
-		sta_info_put(sta);
 	}
+
+	rcu_read_unlock();
+
+	if (disassoc && sta) {
+		synchronize_rcu();
+		rtnl_lock();
+		sta_info_destroy(sta);
+		rtnl_unlock();
+	}
+
 	if (disassoc) {
 		ifsta->state = IEEE80211_DISABLED;
 		ieee80211_set_associated(dev, ifsta, 0);
@@ -1103,9 +1115,13 @@
 	int ret = -EOPNOTSUPP;
 	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mac);
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, mgmt->sa);
-	if (!sta)
+	if (!sta) {
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
+	}
 
 	/* extract session parameters from addba request frame */
 	dialog_token = mgmt->u.action.u.addba_req.dialog_token;
@@ -1197,9 +1213,9 @@
 	spin_unlock_bh(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_rx);
 
 end_no_lock:
-	ieee80211_send_addba_resp(sta->dev, sta->addr, tid, dialog_token,
-				status, 1, buf_size, timeout);
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	ieee80211_send_addba_resp(sta->sdata->dev, sta->addr, tid,
+				  dialog_token, status, 1, buf_size, timeout);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 }
 
 static void ieee80211_sta_process_addba_resp(struct net_device *dev,
@@ -1213,9 +1229,13 @@
 	u16 tid;
 	u8 *state;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, mgmt->sa);
-	if (!sta)
+	if (!sta) {
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
+	}
 
 	capab = le16_to_cpu(mgmt->u.action.u.addba_resp.capab);
 	tid = (capab & IEEE80211_ADDBA_PARAM_TID_MASK) >> 2;
@@ -1230,7 +1250,7 @@
 #ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_HT_DEBUG
 		printk(KERN_DEBUG "wrong addBA response token, tid %d\n", tid);
 #endif /* CONFIG_MAC80211_HT_DEBUG */
-		sta_info_put(sta);
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -1244,7 +1264,7 @@
 			spin_unlock_bh(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_tx);
 			printk(KERN_DEBUG "state not HT_ADDBA_REQUESTED_MSK:"
 				"%d\n", *state);
-			sta_info_put(sta);
+			rcu_read_unlock();
 			return;
 		}
 
@@ -1271,7 +1291,7 @@
 		ieee80211_stop_tx_ba_session(hw, sta->addr, tid,
 					     WLAN_BACK_INITIATOR);
 	}
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 }
 
 void ieee80211_send_delba(struct net_device *dev, const u8 *da, u16 tid,
@@ -1326,16 +1346,20 @@
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 	int ret, i;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, ra);
-	if (!sta)
+	if (!sta) {
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
+	}
 
 	/* check if TID is in operational state */
 	spin_lock_bh(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_rx);
 	if (sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_rx[tid].state
 				!= HT_AGG_STATE_OPERATIONAL) {
 		spin_unlock_bh(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_rx);
-		sta_info_put(sta);
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
 	}
 	sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_rx[tid].state =
@@ -1374,7 +1398,7 @@
 	kfree(sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_rx[tid].reorder_buf);
 
 	sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_rx[tid].state = HT_AGG_STATE_IDLE;
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 }
 
 
@@ -1387,9 +1411,13 @@
 	u16 initiator;
 	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mac);
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, mgmt->sa);
-	if (!sta)
+	if (!sta) {
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
+	}
 
 	params = le16_to_cpu(mgmt->u.action.u.delba.params);
 	tid = (params & IEEE80211_DELBA_PARAM_TID_MASK) >> 12;
@@ -1414,7 +1442,7 @@
 		ieee80211_stop_tx_ba_session(&local->hw, sta->addr, tid,
 					     WLAN_BACK_RECIPIENT);
 	}
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 }
 
 /*
@@ -1437,9 +1465,13 @@
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 	u8 *state;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, temp_sta->addr);
-	if (!sta)
+	if (!sta) {
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
+	}
 
 	state = &sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_tx[tid].state;
 	/* check if the TID waits for addBA response */
@@ -1461,7 +1493,7 @@
 				     WLAN_BACK_INITIATOR);
 
 timer_expired_exit:
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 }
 
 /*
@@ -1481,8 +1513,8 @@
 					 timer_to_tid[0]);
 
 	printk(KERN_DEBUG "rx session timer expired on tid %d\n", (u16)*ptid);
-	ieee80211_sta_stop_rx_ba_session(sta->dev, sta->addr, (u16)*ptid,
-					 WLAN_BACK_TIMER,
+	ieee80211_sta_stop_rx_ba_session(sta->sdata->dev, sta->addr,
+					 (u16)*ptid, WLAN_BACK_TIMER,
 					 WLAN_REASON_QSTA_TIMEOUT);
 }
 
@@ -1791,14 +1823,18 @@
 	if (ifsta->assocresp_ies)
 		memcpy(ifsta->assocresp_ies, pos, ifsta->assocresp_ies_len);
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	/* Add STA entry for the AP */
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, ifsta->bssid);
 	if (!sta) {
 		struct ieee80211_sta_bss *bss;
-		sta = sta_info_add(local, dev, ifsta->bssid, GFP_KERNEL);
+
+		sta = sta_info_add(sdata, ifsta->bssid);
 		if (IS_ERR(sta)) {
 			printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s: failed to add STA entry for the"
 			       " AP (error %ld)\n", dev->name, PTR_ERR(sta));
+			rcu_read_unlock();
 			return;
 		}
 		bss = ieee80211_rx_bss_get(dev, ifsta->bssid,
@@ -1812,7 +1848,6 @@
 		}
 	}
 
-	sta->dev = dev;
 	sta->flags |= WLAN_STA_AUTH | WLAN_STA_ASSOC | WLAN_STA_ASSOC_AP |
 		      WLAN_STA_AUTHORIZED;
 
@@ -1883,7 +1918,7 @@
 	bss_conf->aid = aid;
 	ieee80211_set_associated(dev, ifsta, 1);
 
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 
 	ieee80211_associated(dev, ifsta);
 }
@@ -2329,6 +2364,8 @@
 				      mesh_peer_accepts_plinks(&elems, dev));
 	}
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	if (sdata->vif.type == IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_IBSS && elems.supp_rates &&
 	    memcmp(mgmt->bssid, sdata->u.sta.bssid, ETH_ALEN) == 0 &&
 	    (sta = sta_info_get(local, mgmt->sa))) {
@@ -2354,9 +2391,10 @@
 			       (unsigned long long) supp_rates,
 			       (unsigned long long) sta->supp_rates[rx_status->band]);
 		}
-		sta_info_put(sta);
 	}
 
+	rcu_read_unlock();
+
 	if (elems.ds_params && elems.ds_params_len == 1)
 		freq = ieee80211_channel_to_frequency(elems.ds_params[0]);
 	else
@@ -2550,8 +2588,10 @@
 				       "local TSF - IBSS merge with BSSID %s\n",
 				       dev->name, print_mac(mac, mgmt->bssid));
 			ieee80211_sta_join_ibss(dev, &sdata->u.sta, bss);
+			rcu_read_lock();
 			ieee80211_ibss_add_sta(dev, NULL,
 					       mgmt->bssid, mgmt->sa);
+			rcu_read_unlock();
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -2893,17 +2933,20 @@
 	struct ieee80211_local *local = wdev_priv(dev->ieee80211_ptr);
 	int active = 0;
 	struct sta_info *sta;
+	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(dev);
 
-	read_lock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
-	list_for_each_entry(sta, &local->sta_list, list) {
-		if (sta->dev == dev &&
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
+	list_for_each_entry_rcu(sta, &local->sta_list, list) {
+		if (sta->sdata == sdata &&
 		    time_after(sta->last_rx + IEEE80211_IBSS_MERGE_INTERVAL,
 			       jiffies)) {
 			active++;
 			break;
 		}
 	}
-	read_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
+
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 
 	return active;
 }
@@ -2915,22 +2958,25 @@
 	struct sta_info *sta, *tmp;
 	LIST_HEAD(tmp_list);
 	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mac);
+	unsigned long flags;
 
-	write_lock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&local->sta_lock, flags);
 	list_for_each_entry_safe(sta, tmp, &local->sta_list, list)
 		if (time_after(jiffies, sta->last_rx + exp_time)) {
 			printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s: expiring inactive STA %s\n",
 			       dev->name, print_mac(mac, sta->addr));
-			__sta_info_get(sta);
-			sta_info_remove(sta);
-			list_add(&sta->list, &tmp_list);
+			sta_info_unlink(&sta);
+			if (sta)
+				list_add(&sta->list, &tmp_list);
 		}
-	write_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&local->sta_lock, flags);
 
-	list_for_each_entry_safe(sta, tmp, &tmp_list, list) {
-		sta_info_free(sta);
-		sta_info_put(sta);
-	}
+	synchronize_rcu();
+
+	rtnl_lock();
+	list_for_each_entry_safe(sta, tmp, &tmp_list, list)
+		sta_info_destroy(sta);
+	rtnl_unlock();
 }
 
 
@@ -3977,6 +4023,7 @@
 }
 
 
+/* must be called under RCU read lock */
 struct sta_info * ieee80211_ibss_add_sta(struct net_device *dev,
 					 struct sk_buff *skb, u8 *bssid,
 					 u8 *addr)
@@ -3999,7 +4046,7 @@
 	printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s: Adding new IBSS station %s (dev=%s)\n",
 	       wiphy_name(local->hw.wiphy), print_mac(mac, addr), dev->name);
 
-	sta = sta_info_add(local, dev, addr, GFP_ATOMIC);
+	sta = sta_info_add(sdata, addr);
 	if (IS_ERR(sta))
 		return NULL;
 
@@ -4010,7 +4057,7 @@
 
 	rate_control_rate_init(sta, local);
 
-	return sta; /* caller will call sta_info_put() */
+	return sta;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/net/mac80211/key.c b/net/mac80211/key.c
index eac9c59..df0c04c 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/key.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/key.c
@@ -240,14 +240,17 @@
 		if (sdata->vif.type == IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_STA) {
 			struct sta_info *ap;
 
+			rcu_read_lock();
+
 			/* same here, the AP could be using QoS */
 			ap = sta_info_get(key->local, key->sdata->u.sta.bssid);
 			if (ap) {
 				if (ap->flags & WLAN_STA_WME)
 					key->conf.flags |=
 						IEEE80211_KEY_FLAG_WMM_STA;
-				sta_info_put(ap);
 			}
+
+			rcu_read_unlock();
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -290,6 +293,9 @@
 			__ieee80211_key_replace(key->sdata, key->sta,
 						key, NULL);
 
+		/*
+		 * Do NOT remove this without looking at sta_info_destroy()
+		 */
 		synchronize_rcu();
 
 		/*
diff --git a/net/mac80211/mesh.c b/net/mac80211/mesh.c
index ebe1a7a..9de1ccc 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/mesh.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/mesh.c
@@ -83,11 +83,10 @@
 /**
  * mesh_accept_plinks_update: update accepting_plink in local mesh beacons
  *
- * @dev: mesh interface in which mesh beacons are going to be updated
+ * @sdata: mesh interface in which mesh beacons are going to be updated
  */
-void mesh_accept_plinks_update(struct net_device *dev)
+void mesh_accept_plinks_update(struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata)
 {
-	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(dev);
 	bool free_plinks;
 
 	/* In case mesh_plink_free_count > 0 and mesh_plinktbl_capacity == 0,
diff --git a/net/mac80211/mesh.h b/net/mac80211/mesh.h
index d565b3f..576eee8 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/mesh.h
+++ b/net/mac80211/mesh.h
@@ -65,9 +65,10 @@
  * @state_lock: mesh pat state lock
  *
  *
- * The combination of dst and dev is unique in the mesh path table. A reference
- * to the next_hop sta will be kept and in case this sta is removed, the
- * mesh_path structure must be also removed or substitued in a rcu safe way
+ * The combination of dst and dev is unique in the mesh path table. Since the
+ * next_hop STA is only protected by RCU as well, deleting the STA must also
+ * remove/substitute the mesh_path structure and wait until that is no longer
+ * reachable before destroying the STA completely.
  */
 struct mesh_path {
 	u8 dst[ETH_ALEN];
@@ -230,8 +231,9 @@
 		bool add);
 bool mesh_peer_accepts_plinks(struct ieee802_11_elems *ie,
 			      struct net_device *dev);
-void mesh_accept_plinks_update(struct net_device *dev);
-struct sta_info *mesh_plink_add(u8 *hw_addr, u64 rates, struct net_device *dev);
+void mesh_accept_plinks_update(struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata);
+struct sta_info *mesh_plink_add(u8 *hw_addr, u64 rates,
+				struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata);
 void mesh_plink_broken(struct sta_info *sta);
 void mesh_plink_deactivate(struct sta_info *sta);
 int mesh_plink_open(struct sta_info *sta);
@@ -254,7 +256,7 @@
 void mesh_path_tx_pending(struct mesh_path *mpath);
 int mesh_pathtbl_init(void);
 void mesh_pathtbl_unregister(void);
-int mesh_path_del(u8 *addr, struct net_device *dev);
+int mesh_path_del(u8 *addr, struct net_device *dev, bool force);
 void mesh_path_timer(unsigned long data);
 void mesh_path_flush_by_nexthop(struct sta_info *sta);
 void mesh_path_discard_frame(struct sk_buff *skb, struct net_device *dev);
@@ -270,7 +272,7 @@
 
 static inline bool mesh_plink_availables(struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata)
 {
-	return (min(mesh_plink_free_count(sdata),
+	return (min_t(long, mesh_plink_free_count(sdata),
 		   MESH_MAX_PLINKS - sdata->local->num_sta)) > 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/net/mac80211/mesh_hwmp.c b/net/mac80211/mesh_hwmp.c
index c2f40ef..d8530fe 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/mesh_hwmp.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/mesh_hwmp.c
@@ -294,7 +294,6 @@
 		orig_metric = PREP_IE_METRIC(hwmp_ie);
 		break;
 	default:
-		sta_info_put(sta);
 		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return 0;
 	}
@@ -330,7 +329,6 @@
 			mpath = mesh_path_lookup(orig_addr, dev);
 			if (!mpath) {
 				rcu_read_unlock();
-				sta_info_put(sta);
 				return 0;
 			}
 			spin_lock_bh(&mpath->state_lock);
@@ -372,7 +370,6 @@
 			mpath = mesh_path_lookup(ta, dev);
 			if (!mpath) {
 				rcu_read_unlock();
-				sta_info_put(sta);
 				return 0;
 			}
 			spin_lock_bh(&mpath->state_lock);
@@ -391,7 +388,6 @@
 			spin_unlock_bh(&mpath->state_lock);
 	}
 
-	sta_info_put(sta);
 	rcu_read_unlock();
 
 	return process ? new_metric : 0;
@@ -861,5 +857,5 @@
 endmpathtimer:
 	rcu_read_unlock();
 	if (delete)
-		mesh_path_del(mpath->dst, mpath->dev);
+		mesh_path_del(mpath->dst, mpath->dev, false);
 }
diff --git a/net/mac80211/mesh_pathtbl.c b/net/mac80211/mesh_pathtbl.c
index 3cbdbb2..a17f2b2 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/mesh_pathtbl.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/mesh_pathtbl.c
@@ -55,10 +55,7 @@
  */
 void mesh_path_assign_nexthop(struct mesh_path *mpath, struct sta_info *sta)
 {
-	__sta_info_get(sta);
-	if (mpath->next_hop)
-		sta_info_put(mpath->next_hop);
-	mpath->next_hop = sta;
+	rcu_assign_pointer(mpath->next_hop, sta);
 }
 
 
@@ -236,7 +233,7 @@
 	struct mesh_path *mpath;
 	struct mpath_node *node;
 	struct hlist_node *p;
-	struct net_device *dev = sta->dev;
+	struct net_device *dev = sta->sdata->dev;
 	int i;
 
 	rcu_read_lock();
@@ -266,9 +263,9 @@
  *
  * RCU notes: this function is called when a mesh plink transitions from ESTAB
  * to any other state, since ESTAB state is the only one that allows path
- * creation. This will happen before the sta can be freed (since we hold
- * a reference to it) so any reader in a rcu read block will be protected
- * against the plink dissapearing.
+ * creation. This will happen before the sta can be freed (because
+ * sta_info_destroy() calls this) so any reader in a rcu read block will be
+ * protected against the plink disappearing.
  */
 void mesh_path_flush_by_nexthop(struct sta_info *sta)
 {
@@ -280,7 +277,7 @@
 	for_each_mesh_entry(mesh_paths, p, node, i) {
 		mpath = node->mpath;
 		if (mpath->next_hop == sta)
-			mesh_path_del(mpath->dst, mpath->dev);
+			mesh_path_del(mpath->dst, mpath->dev, true);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -294,7 +291,7 @@
 	for_each_mesh_entry(mesh_paths, p, node, i) {
 		mpath = node->mpath;
 		if (mpath->dev == dev)
-			mesh_path_del(mpath->dst, mpath->dev);
+			mesh_path_del(mpath->dst, mpath->dev, false);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -303,8 +300,8 @@
 	struct mpath_node *node = container_of(rp, struct mpath_node, rcu);
 	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata =
 		IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(node->mpath->dev);
-	if (node->mpath->next_hop)
-		sta_info_put(node->mpath->next_hop);
+
+	rcu_assign_pointer(node->mpath->next_hop, NULL);
 	atomic_dec(&sdata->u.sta.mpaths);
 	kfree(node->mpath);
 	kfree(node);
@@ -319,9 +316,10 @@
  * Returns: 0 if succesful
  *
  * State: if the path is being resolved, the deletion will be postponed until
- * the path resolution completes or times out.
+ * the path resolution completes or times out, unless the force parameter
+ * is given.
  */
-int mesh_path_del(u8 *addr, struct net_device *dev)
+int mesh_path_del(u8 *addr, struct net_device *dev, bool force)
 {
 	struct mesh_path *mpath;
 	struct mpath_node *node;
@@ -340,7 +338,7 @@
 		if (mpath->dev == dev &&
 				memcmp(addr, mpath->dst, ETH_ALEN) == 0) {
 			spin_lock_bh(&mpath->state_lock);
-			if (mpath->flags & MESH_PATH_RESOLVING) {
+			if (!force && mpath->flags & MESH_PATH_RESOLVING) {
 				mpath->flags |= MESH_PATH_DELETE;
 			} else {
 				mpath->flags |= MESH_PATH_RESOLVING;
@@ -510,7 +508,7 @@
 			time_after(jiffies,
 			 mpath->exp_time + MESH_PATH_EXPIRE)) {
 			spin_unlock_bh(&mpath->state_lock);
-			mesh_path_del(mpath->dst, mpath->dev);
+			mesh_path_del(mpath->dst, mpath->dev, false);
 		} else
 			spin_unlock_bh(&mpath->state_lock);
 	}
diff --git a/net/mac80211/mesh_plink.c b/net/mac80211/mesh_plink.c
index b5fbe97..c2b8050 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/mesh_plink.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/mesh_plink.c
@@ -65,14 +65,14 @@
 void mesh_plink_inc_estab_count(struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata)
 {
 	atomic_inc(&sdata->u.sta.mshstats.estab_plinks);
-	mesh_accept_plinks_update(sdata->dev);
+	mesh_accept_plinks_update(sdata);
 }
 
 static inline
 void mesh_plink_dec_estab_count(struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata)
 {
 	atomic_dec(&sdata->u.sta.mshstats.estab_plinks);
-	mesh_accept_plinks_update(sdata->dev);
+	mesh_accept_plinks_update(sdata);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -99,12 +99,13 @@
  *
  * Returns: non-NULL on success, ERR_PTR() on error.
  */
-struct sta_info *mesh_plink_add(u8 *hw_addr, u64 rates, struct net_device *dev)
+struct sta_info *mesh_plink_add(u8 *hw_addr, u64 rates,
+				struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata)
 {
-	struct ieee80211_local *local = wdev_priv(dev->ieee80211_ptr);
+	struct ieee80211_local *local = sdata->local;
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 
-	if (memcmp(hw_addr, dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN) == 0)
+	if (compare_ether_addr(hw_addr, sdata->dev->dev_addr) == 0)
 		/* never add ourselves as neighbours */
 		return ERR_PTR(-EINVAL);
 
@@ -114,7 +115,7 @@
 	if (local->num_sta >= MESH_MAX_PLINKS)
 		return ERR_PTR(-ENOSPC);
 
-	sta = sta_info_add(local, dev, hw_addr, GFP_KERNEL);
+	sta = sta_info_add(sdata, hw_addr);
 	if (IS_ERR(sta))
 		return sta;
 
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@
 	sta->supp_rates[local->hw.conf.channel->band] = rates;
 	rate_control_rate_init(sta, local);
 
-	mesh_accept_plinks_update(dev);
+	mesh_accept_plinks_update(sdata);
 
 	return sta;
 }
@@ -141,7 +142,8 @@
  */
 static void __mesh_plink_deactivate(struct sta_info *sta)
 {
-	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = sta->sdata;
+
 	if (sta->plink_state == ESTAB)
 		mesh_plink_dec_estab_count(sdata);
 	sta->plink_state = BLOCKED;
@@ -246,11 +248,15 @@
 	struct ieee80211_local *local = wdev_priv(dev->ieee80211_ptr);
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, hw_addr);
 	if (!sta) {
-		sta = mesh_plink_add(hw_addr, rates, dev);
-		if (IS_ERR(sta))
+		sta = mesh_plink_add(hw_addr, rates, sdata);
+		if (IS_ERR(sta)) {
+			rcu_read_unlock();
 			return;
+		}
 	}
 
 	sta->last_rx = jiffies;
@@ -260,7 +266,7 @@
 			sdata->u.sta.mshcfg.auto_open_plinks)
 		mesh_plink_open(sta);
 
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 }
 
 static void mesh_plink_timer(unsigned long data)
@@ -273,6 +279,11 @@
 	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mac);
 #endif
 
+	/*
+	 * This STA is valid because sta_info_destroy() will
+	 * del_timer_sync() this timer after having made sure
+	 * it cannot be readded (by deleting the plink.)
+	 */
 	sta = (struct sta_info *) data;
 
 	spin_lock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
@@ -286,8 +297,8 @@
 	reason = 0;
 	llid = sta->llid;
 	plid = sta->plid;
-	dev = sta->dev;
-	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(dev);
+	sdata = sta->sdata;
+	dev = sdata->dev;
 
 	switch (sta->plink_state) {
 	case OPN_RCVD:
@@ -302,8 +313,7 @@
 			sta->plink_timeout = sta->plink_timeout +
 					     rand % sta->plink_timeout;
 			++sta->plink_retries;
-			if (!mod_plink_timer(sta, sta->plink_timeout))
-				__sta_info_get(sta);
+			mod_plink_timer(sta, sta->plink_timeout);
 			spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
 			mesh_plink_frame_tx(dev, PLINK_OPEN, sta->addr, llid,
 					    0, 0);
@@ -316,16 +326,14 @@
 		if (!reason)
 			reason = cpu_to_le16(MESH_CONFIRM_TIMEOUT);
 		sta->plink_state = HOLDING;
-		if (!mod_plink_timer(sta, dot11MeshHoldingTimeout(sdata)))
-			__sta_info_get(sta);
+		mod_plink_timer(sta, dot11MeshHoldingTimeout(sdata));
 		spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
 		mesh_plink_frame_tx(dev, PLINK_CLOSE, sta->addr, llid, plid,
 				    reason);
 		break;
 	case HOLDING:
 		/* holding timer */
-		if (del_timer(&sta->plink_timer))
-			sta_info_put(sta);
+		del_timer(&sta->plink_timer);
 		mesh_plink_fsm_restart(sta);
 		spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
 		break;
@@ -333,8 +341,6 @@
 		spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
 		break;
 	}
-
-	sta_info_put(sta);
 }
 
 static inline void mesh_plink_timer_set(struct sta_info *sta, int timeout)
@@ -343,14 +349,13 @@
 	sta->plink_timer.data = (unsigned long) sta;
 	sta->plink_timer.function = mesh_plink_timer;
 	sta->plink_timeout = timeout;
-	__sta_info_get(sta);
 	add_timer(&sta->plink_timer);
 }
 
 int mesh_plink_open(struct sta_info *sta)
 {
 	__le16 llid;
-	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = sta->sdata;
 #ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_VERBOSE_MPL_DEBUG
 	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mac);
 #endif
@@ -360,7 +365,6 @@
 	sta->llid = llid;
 	if (sta->plink_state != LISTEN) {
 		spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
-		sta_info_put(sta);
 		return -EBUSY;
 	}
 	sta->plink_state = OPN_SNT;
@@ -369,7 +373,8 @@
 	mpl_dbg("Mesh plink: starting establishment with %s\n",
 		print_mac(mac, sta->addr));
 
-	return mesh_plink_frame_tx(sta->dev, PLINK_OPEN, sta->addr, llid, 0, 0);
+	return mesh_plink_frame_tx(sdata->dev, PLINK_OPEN,
+				   sta->addr, llid, 0, 0);
 }
 
 void mesh_plink_block(struct sta_info *sta)
@@ -386,7 +391,7 @@
 
 int mesh_plink_close(struct sta_info *sta)
 {
-	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = sta->sdata;
 	int llid, plid, reason;
 #ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_VERBOSE_MPL_DEBUG
 	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mac);
@@ -401,13 +406,11 @@
 	if (sta->plink_state == LISTEN || sta->plink_state == BLOCKED) {
 		mesh_plink_fsm_restart(sta);
 		spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
-		sta_info_put(sta);
 		return 0;
 	} else if (sta->plink_state == ESTAB) {
 		__mesh_plink_deactivate(sta);
 		/* The timer should not be running */
-		if (!mod_plink_timer(sta, dot11MeshHoldingTimeout(sdata)))
-			__sta_info_get(sta);
+		mod_plink_timer(sta, dot11MeshHoldingTimeout(sdata));
 	} else if (!mod_plink_timer(sta, dot11MeshHoldingTimeout(sdata)))
 		sta->ignore_plink_timer = true;
 
@@ -415,15 +418,16 @@
 	llid = sta->llid;
 	plid = sta->plid;
 	spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
-	mesh_plink_frame_tx(sta->dev, PLINK_CLOSE, sta->addr, llid, plid,
-			    reason);
+	mesh_plink_frame_tx(sta->sdata->dev, PLINK_CLOSE, sta->addr, llid,
+			    plid, reason);
 	return 0;
 }
 
 void mesh_rx_plink_frame(struct net_device *dev, struct ieee80211_mgmt *mgmt,
 			 size_t len, struct ieee80211_rx_status *rx_status)
 {
-	struct ieee80211_local *local = wdev_priv(dev->ieee80211_ptr);
+	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(dev);
+	struct ieee80211_local *local = sdata->local;
 	struct ieee802_11_elems elems;
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 	enum plink_event event;
@@ -435,7 +439,6 @@
 #ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_VERBOSE_MPL_DEBUG
 	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mac);
 #endif
-	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(dev);
 
 	if (is_multicast_ether_addr(mgmt->da)) {
 		mpl_dbg("Mesh plink: ignore frame from multicast address");
@@ -474,14 +477,17 @@
 	if (ftype == PLINK_CONFIRM || (ftype == PLINK_CLOSE && ie_len == 7))
 		memcpy(&llid, PLINK_GET_PLID(elems.peer_link), 2);
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, mgmt->sa);
 	if (!sta && ftype != PLINK_OPEN) {
 		mpl_dbg("Mesh plink: cls or cnf from unknown peer\n");
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
 	}
 
 	if (sta && sta->plink_state == BLOCKED) {
-		sta_info_put(sta);
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -505,13 +511,15 @@
 		u64 rates;
 		if (!mesh_plink_free_count(sdata)) {
 			mpl_dbg("Mesh plink error: no more free plinks\n");
+			rcu_read_unlock();
 			return;
 		}
 
 		rates = ieee80211_sta_get_rates(local, &elems, rx_status->band);
-		sta = mesh_plink_add(mgmt->sa, rates, dev);
+		sta = mesh_plink_add(mgmt->sa, rates, sdata);
 		if (IS_ERR(sta)) {
 			mpl_dbg("Mesh plink error: plink table full\n");
+			rcu_read_unlock();
 			return;
 		}
 		event = OPN_ACPT;
@@ -521,14 +529,14 @@
 		switch (ftype) {
 		case PLINK_OPEN:
 			if (!mesh_plink_free_count(sdata) ||
-					(sta->plid && sta->plid != plid))
+			    (sta->plid && sta->plid != plid))
 				event = OPN_IGNR;
 			else
 				event = OPN_ACPT;
 			break;
 		case PLINK_CONFIRM:
 			if (!mesh_plink_free_count(sdata) ||
-				(sta->llid != llid || sta->plid != plid))
+			    (sta->llid != llid || sta->plid != plid))
 				event = CNF_IGNR;
 			else
 				event = CNF_ACPT;
@@ -555,7 +563,7 @@
 		default:
 			mpl_dbg("Mesh plink: unknown frame subtype\n");
 			spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
-			sta_info_put(sta);
+			rcu_read_unlock();
 			return;
 		}
 	}
@@ -659,8 +667,7 @@
 					    plid, 0);
 			break;
 		case CNF_ACPT:
-			if (del_timer(&sta->plink_timer))
-				sta_info_put(sta);
+			del_timer(&sta->plink_timer);
 			sta->plink_state = ESTAB;
 			mesh_plink_inc_estab_count(sdata);
 			spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
@@ -693,8 +700,7 @@
 					    plid, reason);
 			break;
 		case OPN_ACPT:
-			if (del_timer(&sta->plink_timer))
-				sta_info_put(sta);
+			del_timer(&sta->plink_timer);
 			sta->plink_state = ESTAB;
 			mesh_plink_inc_estab_count(sdata);
 			spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
@@ -717,9 +723,7 @@
 			__mesh_plink_deactivate(sta);
 			sta->plink_state = HOLDING;
 			llid = sta->llid;
-			if (!mod_plink_timer(sta,
-					dot11MeshHoldingTimeout(sdata)))
-				__sta_info_get(sta);
+			mod_plink_timer(sta, dot11MeshHoldingTimeout(sdata));
 			spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
 			mesh_plink_frame_tx(dev, PLINK_CLOSE, sta->addr, llid,
 					    plid, reason);
@@ -738,10 +742,8 @@
 	case HOLDING:
 		switch (event) {
 		case CLS_ACPT:
-			if (del_timer(&sta->plink_timer)) {
+			if (del_timer(&sta->plink_timer))
 				sta->ignore_plink_timer = 1;
-				sta_info_put(sta);
-			}
 			mesh_plink_fsm_restart(sta);
 			spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
 			break;
@@ -766,5 +768,6 @@
 		spin_unlock_bh(&sta->plink_lock);
 		break;
 	}
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 }
diff --git a/net/mac80211/rc80211_pid_algo.c b/net/mac80211/rc80211_pid_algo.c
index 217c0f4..a199316 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/rc80211_pid_algo.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/rc80211_pid_algo.c
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
 	int cur_sorted, new_sorted, probe, tmp, n_bitrates, band;
 	int cur = sta->txrate_idx;
 
-	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	sdata = sta->sdata;
 	sband = local->hw.wiphy->bands[local->hw.conf.channel->band];
 	band = sband->band;
 	n_bitrates = sband->n_bitrates;
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@
 				    struct sta_info *sta)
 {
 #ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_MESH
-	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = sta->sdata;
 #endif
 	struct rc_pid_sta_info *spinfo = sta->rate_ctrl_priv;
 	struct rc_pid_rateinfo *rinfo = pinfo->rinfo;
@@ -249,23 +249,25 @@
 	unsigned long period;
 	struct ieee80211_supported_band *sband;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr->addr1);
 	sband = local->hw.wiphy->bands[local->hw.conf.channel->band];
 
 	if (!sta)
-		return;
+		goto unlock;
 
 	/* Don't update the state if we're not controlling the rate. */
-	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	sdata = sta->sdata;
 	if (sdata->bss && sdata->bss->force_unicast_rateidx > -1) {
 		sta->txrate_idx = sdata->bss->max_ratectrl_rateidx;
-		return;
+		goto unlock;
 	}
 
 	/* Ignore all frames that were sent with a different rate than the rate
 	 * we currently advise mac80211 to use. */
 	if (status->control.tx_rate != &sband->bitrates[sta->txrate_idx])
-		goto ignore;
+		goto unlock;
 
 	spinfo = sta->rate_ctrl_priv;
 	spinfo->tx_num_xmit++;
@@ -303,8 +305,8 @@
 	if (time_after(jiffies, spinfo->last_sample + period))
 		rate_control_pid_sample(pinfo, local, sta);
 
-ignore:
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+ unlock:
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 }
 
 static void rate_control_pid_get_rate(void *priv, struct net_device *dev,
@@ -319,6 +321,8 @@
 	int rateidx;
 	u16 fc;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr->addr1);
 
 	/* Send management frames and broadcast/multicast data using lowest
@@ -327,8 +331,7 @@
 	if ((fc & IEEE80211_FCTL_FTYPE) != IEEE80211_FTYPE_DATA ||
 	    is_multicast_ether_addr(hdr->addr1) || !sta) {
 		sel->rate = rate_lowest(local, sband, sta);
-		if (sta)
-			sta_info_put(sta);
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -344,7 +347,7 @@
 
 	sta->last_txrate_idx = rateidx;
 
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 
 	sel->rate = &sband->bitrates[rateidx];
 
diff --git a/net/mac80211/rc80211_simple.c b/net/mac80211/rc80211_simple.c
index bcc541d..4f72fdc 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/rc80211_simple.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/rc80211_simple.c
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 	int i = sta->txrate_idx;
 	int maxrate;
 
-	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	sdata = sta->sdata;
 	if (sdata->bss && sdata->bss->force_unicast_rateidx > -1) {
 		/* forced unicast rate - do not change STA rate */
 		return;
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
 	struct ieee80211_supported_band *sband;
 	int i = sta->txrate_idx;
 
-	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	sdata = sta->sdata;
 	if (sdata->bss && sdata->bss->force_unicast_rateidx > -1) {
 		/* forced unicast rate - do not change STA rate */
 		return;
@@ -118,10 +118,12 @@
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 	struct sta_rate_control *srctrl;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr->addr1);
 
 	if (!sta)
-	    return;
+		goto unlock;
 
 	srctrl = sta->rate_ctrl_priv;
 	srctrl->tx_num_xmit++;
@@ -191,7 +193,8 @@
 		}
 	}
 
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+ unlock:
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 }
 
 
@@ -208,6 +211,8 @@
 	int rateidx;
 	u16 fc;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr->addr1);
 
 	/* Send management frames and broadcast/multicast data using lowest
@@ -216,8 +221,7 @@
 	if ((fc & IEEE80211_FCTL_FTYPE) != IEEE80211_FTYPE_DATA ||
 	    is_multicast_ether_addr(hdr->addr1) || !sta) {
 		sel->rate = rate_lowest(local, sband, sta);
-		if (sta)
-			sta_info_put(sta);
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -233,7 +237,7 @@
 
 	sta->last_txrate_idx = rateidx;
 
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 
 	sel->rate = &sband->bitrates[rateidx];
 }
diff --git a/net/mac80211/rx.c b/net/mac80211/rx.c
index 2e65ca1..8e1e285 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/rx.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/rx.c
@@ -631,7 +631,7 @@
 	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata;
 	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mac);
 
-	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	sdata = sta->sdata;
 
 	if (sdata->bss)
 		atomic_inc(&sdata->bss->num_sta_ps);
@@ -652,7 +652,7 @@
 	struct ieee80211_tx_packet_data *pkt_data;
 	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mac);
 
-	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+	sdata = sta->sdata;
 
 	if (sdata->bss)
 		atomic_dec(&sdata->bss->num_sta_ps);
@@ -1287,7 +1287,7 @@
 				       "multicast frame\n", dev->name);
 		} else {
 			dsta = sta_info_get(local, skb->data);
-			if (dsta && dsta->dev == dev) {
+			if (dsta && dsta->sdata->dev == dev) {
 				/*
 				 * The destination station is associated to
 				 * this AP (in this VLAN), so send the frame
@@ -1297,8 +1297,6 @@
 				xmit_skb = skb;
 				skb = NULL;
 			}
-			if (dsta)
-				sta_info_put(dsta);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -1905,13 +1903,13 @@
 
 	rx.sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr->addr2);
 	if (rx.sta) {
-		rx.dev = rx.sta->dev;
-		rx.sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(rx.dev);
+		rx.sdata = rx.sta->sdata;
+		rx.dev = rx.sta->sdata->dev;
 	}
 
 	if ((status->flag & RX_FLAG_MMIC_ERROR)) {
 		ieee80211_rx_michael_mic_report(local->mdev, hdr, &rx);
-		goto end;
+		return;
 	}
 
 	if (unlikely(local->sta_sw_scanning || local->sta_hw_scanning))
@@ -1970,10 +1968,6 @@
 		ieee80211_invoke_rx_handlers(prev, &rx, skb);
 	} else
 		dev_kfree_skb(skb);
-
- end:
-	if (rx.sta)
-		sta_info_put(rx.sta);
 }
 
 #define SEQ_MODULO 0x1000
@@ -2150,7 +2144,7 @@
 	/* if this mpdu is fragmented - terminate rx aggregation session */
 	sc = le16_to_cpu(hdr->seq_ctrl);
 	if (sc & IEEE80211_SCTL_FRAG) {
-		ieee80211_sta_stop_rx_ba_session(sta->dev, sta->addr,
+		ieee80211_sta_stop_rx_ba_session(sta->sdata->dev, sta->addr,
 			tid, 0, WLAN_REASON_QSTA_REQUIRE_SETUP);
 		ret = 1;
 		goto end_reorder;
@@ -2160,9 +2154,7 @@
 	mpdu_seq_num = (sc & IEEE80211_SCTL_SEQ) >> 4;
 	ret = ieee80211_sta_manage_reorder_buf(hw, tid_agg_rx, skb,
 						mpdu_seq_num, 0);
-end_reorder:
-	if (sta)
-		sta_info_put(sta);
+ end_reorder:
 	return ret;
 }
 
diff --git a/net/mac80211/sta_info.c b/net/mac80211/sta_info.c
index 81c4e33..ee5b66a 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/sta_info.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/sta_info.c
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 #include <linux/skbuff.h>
 #include <linux/if_arp.h>
 #include <linux/timer.h>
+#include <linux/rtnetlink.h>
 
 #include <net/mac80211.h>
 #include "ieee80211_i.h"
@@ -23,14 +24,43 @@
 #include "debugfs_sta.h"
 #include "mesh.h"
 
-/* Caller must hold local->sta_lock */
-static void sta_info_hash_add(struct ieee80211_local *local,
-			      struct sta_info *sta)
-{
-	sta->hnext = local->sta_hash[STA_HASH(sta->addr)];
-	local->sta_hash[STA_HASH(sta->addr)] = sta;
-}
-
+/**
+ * DOC: STA information lifetime rules
+ *
+ * STA info structures (&struct sta_info) are managed in a hash table
+ * for faster lookup and a list for iteration. They are managed using
+ * RCU, i.e. access to the list and hash table is protected by RCU.
+ *
+ * STA info structures are always "alive" when they are added with
+ * @sta_info_add() [this may be changed in the future to allow allocating
+ * outside of a critical section!], they are then added to the hash
+ * table and list. Therefore, @sta_info_add() must also be RCU protected,
+ * also, the caller of @sta_info_add() cannot assume that it owns the
+ * structure.
+ *
+ * Because there are debugfs entries for each station, and adding those
+ * must be able to sleep, it is also possible to "pin" a station entry,
+ * that means it can be removed from the hash table but not be freed.
+ * See the comment in @__sta_info_unlink() for more information.
+ *
+ * In order to remove a STA info structure, the caller needs to first
+ * unlink it (@sta_info_unlink()) from the list and hash tables and
+ * then wait for an RCU synchronisation before it can be freed. Due to
+ * the pinning and the possibility of multiple callers trying to remove
+ * the same STA info at the same time, @sta_info_unlink() can clear the
+ * STA info pointer it is passed to indicate that the STA info is owned
+ * by somebody else now.
+ *
+ * If @sta_info_unlink() did not clear the pointer then the caller owns
+ * the STA info structure now and is responsible of destroying it with
+ * a call to @sta_info_destroy(), not before RCU synchronisation, of
+ * course. Note that sta_info_destroy() must be protected by the RTNL.
+ *
+ * In all other cases, there is no concept of ownership on a STA entry,
+ * each structure is owned by the global hash table/list until it is
+ * removed. All users of the structure need to be RCU protected so that
+ * the structure won't be freed before they are done using it.
+ */
 
 /* Caller must hold local->sta_lock */
 static int sta_info_hash_del(struct ieee80211_local *local,
@@ -42,46 +72,39 @@
 	if (!s)
 		return -ENOENT;
 	if (s == sta) {
-		local->sta_hash[STA_HASH(sta->addr)] = s->hnext;
+		rcu_assign_pointer(local->sta_hash[STA_HASH(sta->addr)],
+				   s->hnext);
 		return 0;
 	}
 
 	while (s->hnext && s->hnext != sta)
 		s = s->hnext;
 	if (s->hnext) {
-		s->hnext = sta->hnext;
+		rcu_assign_pointer(s->hnext, sta->hnext);
 		return 0;
 	}
 
 	return -ENOENT;
 }
 
-/* must hold local->sta_lock */
+/* protected by RCU */
 static struct sta_info *__sta_info_find(struct ieee80211_local *local,
 					u8 *addr)
 {
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 
-	sta = local->sta_hash[STA_HASH(addr)];
+	sta = rcu_dereference(local->sta_hash[STA_HASH(addr)]);
 	while (sta) {
 		if (compare_ether_addr(sta->addr, addr) == 0)
 			break;
-		sta = sta->hnext;
+		sta = rcu_dereference(sta->hnext);
 	}
 	return sta;
 }
 
 struct sta_info *sta_info_get(struct ieee80211_local *local, u8 *addr)
 {
-	struct sta_info *sta;
-
-	read_lock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
-	sta = __sta_info_find(local, addr);
-	if (sta)
-		__sta_info_get(sta);
-	read_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
-
-	return sta;
+	return __sta_info_find(local, addr);
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(sta_info_get);
 
@@ -91,81 +114,101 @@
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 	int i = 0;
 
-	read_lock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
-	list_for_each_entry(sta, &local->sta_list, list) {
+	list_for_each_entry_rcu(sta, &local->sta_list, list) {
 		if (i < idx) {
 			++i;
 			continue;
-		} else if (!dev || dev == sta->dev) {
-			__sta_info_get(sta);
-			read_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
+		} else if (!dev || dev == sta->sdata->dev) {
 			return sta;
 		}
 	}
-	read_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
 
 	return NULL;
 }
 
-static void sta_info_release(struct kref *kref)
+void sta_info_destroy(struct sta_info *sta)
 {
-	struct sta_info *sta = container_of(kref, struct sta_info, kref);
 	struct ieee80211_local *local = sta->local;
 	struct sk_buff *skb;
 	int i;
 
-	/* free sta structure; it has already been removed from
-	 * hash table etc. external structures. Make sure that all
-	 * buffered frames are release (one might have been added
-	 * after sta_info_free() was called). */
+	ASSERT_RTNL();
+	might_sleep();
+
+	rate_control_remove_sta_debugfs(sta);
+	ieee80211_sta_debugfs_remove(sta);
+
+#ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_MESH
+	if (ieee80211_vif_is_mesh(&sta->sdata->vif))
+		mesh_plink_deactivate(sta);
+#endif
+
+	/*
+	 * NOTE: This will call synchronize_rcu() internally to
+	 * make sure no key references can be in use. We rely on
+	 * that here for the mesh code!
+	 */
+	ieee80211_key_free(sta->key);
+	WARN_ON(sta->key);
+
+#ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_MESH
+	if (ieee80211_vif_is_mesh(&sta->sdata->vif))
+		del_timer_sync(&sta->plink_timer);
+#endif
+
 	while ((skb = skb_dequeue(&sta->ps_tx_buf)) != NULL) {
 		local->total_ps_buffered--;
 		dev_kfree_skb_any(skb);
 	}
-	while ((skb = skb_dequeue(&sta->tx_filtered)) != NULL) {
+
+	while ((skb = skb_dequeue(&sta->tx_filtered)) != NULL)
 		dev_kfree_skb_any(skb);
-	}
+
 	for (i = 0; i <  STA_TID_NUM; i++) {
 		del_timer_sync(&sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_rx[i].session_timer);
 		del_timer_sync(&sta->ampdu_mlme.tid_tx[i].addba_resp_timer);
 	}
 	rate_control_free_sta(sta->rate_ctrl, sta->rate_ctrl_priv);
 	rate_control_put(sta->rate_ctrl);
+
 	kfree(sta);
 }
 
 
-void sta_info_put(struct sta_info *sta)
+/* Caller must hold local->sta_lock */
+static void sta_info_hash_add(struct ieee80211_local *local,
+			      struct sta_info *sta)
 {
-	kref_put(&sta->kref, sta_info_release);
+	sta->hnext = local->sta_hash[STA_HASH(sta->addr)];
+	rcu_assign_pointer(local->sta_hash[STA_HASH(sta->addr)], sta);
 }
-EXPORT_SYMBOL(sta_info_put);
 
-
-struct sta_info *sta_info_add(struct ieee80211_local *local,
-			      struct net_device *dev, u8 *addr, gfp_t gfp)
+struct sta_info *sta_info_add(struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata,
+			      u8 *addr)
 {
+	struct ieee80211_local *local = sdata->local;
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 	int i;
 	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mac);
+	unsigned long flags;
 
-	sta = kzalloc(sizeof(*sta), gfp);
+	sta = kzalloc(sizeof(*sta), GFP_ATOMIC);
 	if (!sta)
 		return ERR_PTR(-ENOMEM);
 
-	kref_init(&sta->kref);
+	memcpy(sta->addr, addr, ETH_ALEN);
+	sta->local = local;
+	sta->sdata = sdata;
 
 	sta->rate_ctrl = rate_control_get(local->rate_ctrl);
-	sta->rate_ctrl_priv = rate_control_alloc_sta(sta->rate_ctrl, gfp);
+	sta->rate_ctrl_priv = rate_control_alloc_sta(sta->rate_ctrl,
+						     GFP_ATOMIC);
 	if (!sta->rate_ctrl_priv) {
 		rate_control_put(sta->rate_ctrl);
 		kfree(sta);
 		return ERR_PTR(-ENOMEM);
 	}
 
-	memcpy(sta->addr, addr, ETH_ALEN);
-	sta->local = local;
-	sta->dev = dev;
 	spin_lock_init(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_rx);
 	spin_lock_init(&sta->ampdu_mlme.ampdu_tx);
 	for (i = 0; i < STA_TID_NUM; i++) {
@@ -190,29 +233,26 @@
 	}
 	skb_queue_head_init(&sta->ps_tx_buf);
 	skb_queue_head_init(&sta->tx_filtered);
-	write_lock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
-	/* mark sta as used (by caller) */
-	__sta_info_get(sta);
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&local->sta_lock, flags);
 	/* check if STA exists already */
 	if (__sta_info_find(local, addr)) {
-		write_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
-		sta_info_put(sta);
+		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&local->sta_lock, flags);
 		return ERR_PTR(-EEXIST);
 	}
 	list_add(&sta->list, &local->sta_list);
 	local->num_sta++;
 	sta_info_hash_add(local, sta);
-	if (local->ops->sta_notify) {
-		struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata;
 
-		sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(dev);
+	/* notify driver */
+	if (local->ops->sta_notify) {
 		if (sdata->vif.type == IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_VLAN)
 			sdata = sdata->u.vlan.ap;
 
 		local->ops->sta_notify(local_to_hw(local), &sdata->vif,
 				       STA_NOTIFY_ADD, addr);
 	}
-	write_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
+
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&local->sta_lock, flags);
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_VERBOSE_DEBUG
 	printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s: Added STA %s\n",
@@ -252,19 +292,20 @@
 {
 	if (bss)
 		__bss_tim_set(bss, sta->aid);
-	if (sta->local->ops->set_tim)
+	if (sta->local->ops->set_tim) {
+		sta->local->tim_in_locked_section = true;
 		sta->local->ops->set_tim(local_to_hw(sta->local), sta->aid, 1);
+		sta->local->tim_in_locked_section = false;
+	}
 }
 
 void sta_info_set_tim_bit(struct sta_info *sta)
 {
-	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata;
+	unsigned long flags;
 
-	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
-
-	read_lock_bh(&sta->local->sta_lock);
-	__sta_info_set_tim_bit(sdata->bss, sta);
-	read_unlock_bh(&sta->local->sta_lock);
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&sta->local->sta_lock, flags);
+	__sta_info_set_tim_bit(sta->sdata->bss, sta);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&sta->local->sta_lock, flags);
 }
 
 static void __sta_info_clear_tim_bit(struct ieee80211_if_ap *bss,
@@ -272,93 +313,135 @@
 {
 	if (bss)
 		__bss_tim_clear(bss, sta->aid);
-	if (sta->local->ops->set_tim)
+	if (sta->local->ops->set_tim) {
+		sta->local->tim_in_locked_section = true;
 		sta->local->ops->set_tim(local_to_hw(sta->local), sta->aid, 0);
+		sta->local->tim_in_locked_section = false;
+	}
 }
 
 void sta_info_clear_tim_bit(struct sta_info *sta)
 {
-	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata;
+	unsigned long flags;
 
-	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
-
-	read_lock_bh(&sta->local->sta_lock);
-	__sta_info_clear_tim_bit(sdata->bss, sta);
-	read_unlock_bh(&sta->local->sta_lock);
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&sta->local->sta_lock, flags);
+	__sta_info_clear_tim_bit(sta->sdata->bss, sta);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&sta->local->sta_lock, flags);
 }
 
-/* Caller must hold local->sta_lock */
-void sta_info_remove(struct sta_info *sta)
+/*
+ * See comment in __sta_info_unlink,
+ * caller must hold local->sta_lock.
+ */
+static void __sta_info_pin(struct sta_info *sta)
 {
-	struct ieee80211_local *local = sta->local;
-	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata;
+	WARN_ON(sta->pin_status != STA_INFO_PIN_STAT_NORMAL);
+	sta->pin_status = STA_INFO_PIN_STAT_PINNED;
+}
 
-	/* don't do anything if we've been removed already */
-	if (sta_info_hash_del(local, sta))
+/*
+ * See comment in __sta_info_unlink, returns sta if it
+ * needs to be destroyed.
+ */
+static struct sta_info *__sta_info_unpin(struct sta_info *sta)
+{
+	struct sta_info *ret = NULL;
+	unsigned long flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&sta->local->sta_lock, flags);
+	WARN_ON(sta->pin_status != STA_INFO_PIN_STAT_DESTROY &&
+		sta->pin_status != STA_INFO_PIN_STAT_PINNED);
+	if (sta->pin_status == STA_INFO_PIN_STAT_DESTROY)
+		ret = sta;
+	sta->pin_status = STA_INFO_PIN_STAT_NORMAL;
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&sta->local->sta_lock, flags);
+
+	return ret;
+}
+
+static void __sta_info_unlink(struct sta_info **sta)
+{
+	struct ieee80211_local *local = (*sta)->local;
+	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = (*sta)->sdata;
+#ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_VERBOSE_DEBUG
+	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mbuf);
+#endif
+	/*
+	 * pull caller's reference if we're already gone.
+	 */
+	if (sta_info_hash_del(local, *sta)) {
+		*sta = NULL;
 		return;
+	}
 
-	list_del(&sta->list);
-	sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
-	if (sta->flags & WLAN_STA_PS) {
-		sta->flags &= ~WLAN_STA_PS;
+	/*
+	 * Also pull caller's reference if the STA is pinned by the
+	 * task that is adding the debugfs entries. In that case, we
+	 * leave the STA "to be freed".
+	 *
+	 * The rules are not trivial, but not too complex either:
+	 *  (1) pin_status is only modified under the sta_lock
+	 *  (2) sta_info_debugfs_add_work() will set the status
+	 *	to PINNED when it found an item that needs a new
+	 *	debugfs directory created. In that case, that item
+	 *	must not be freed although all *RCU* users are done
+	 *	with it. Hence, we tell the caller of _unlink()
+	 *	that the item is already gone (as can happen when
+	 *	two tasks try to unlink/destroy at the same time)
+	 *  (3) We set the pin_status to DESTROY here when we
+	 *	find such an item.
+	 *  (4) sta_info_debugfs_add_work() will reset the pin_status
+	 *	from PINNED to NORMAL when it is done with the item,
+	 *	but will check for DESTROY before resetting it in
+	 *	which case it will free the item.
+	 */
+	if ((*sta)->pin_status == STA_INFO_PIN_STAT_PINNED) {
+		(*sta)->pin_status = STA_INFO_PIN_STAT_DESTROY;
+		*sta = NULL;
+		return;
+	}
+
+	list_del(&(*sta)->list);
+
+	if ((*sta)->flags & WLAN_STA_PS) {
+		(*sta)->flags &= ~WLAN_STA_PS;
 		if (sdata->bss)
 			atomic_dec(&sdata->bss->num_sta_ps);
-		__sta_info_clear_tim_bit(sdata->bss, sta);
+		__sta_info_clear_tim_bit(sdata->bss, *sta);
 	}
+
 	local->num_sta--;
 
-	if (ieee80211_vif_is_mesh(&sdata->vif))
-		mesh_accept_plinks_update(sdata->dev);
-}
-
-void sta_info_free(struct sta_info *sta)
-{
-	struct sk_buff *skb;
-	struct ieee80211_local *local = sta->local;
-	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
-
-	DECLARE_MAC_BUF(mac);
-
-	might_sleep();
-
-	write_lock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
-	sta_info_remove(sta);
-	write_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
-
-	if (ieee80211_vif_is_mesh(&sdata->vif))
-		mesh_plink_deactivate(sta);
-
-	while ((skb = skb_dequeue(&sta->ps_tx_buf)) != NULL) {
-		local->total_ps_buffered--;
-		dev_kfree_skb(skb);
-	}
-	while ((skb = skb_dequeue(&sta->tx_filtered)) != NULL) {
-		dev_kfree_skb(skb);
-	}
-
-#ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_VERBOSE_DEBUG
-	printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s: Removed STA %s\n",
-	       wiphy_name(local->hw.wiphy), print_mac(mac, sta->addr));
-#endif /* CONFIG_MAC80211_VERBOSE_DEBUG */
-
-	ieee80211_key_free(sta->key);
-	WARN_ON(sta->key);
-
 	if (local->ops->sta_notify) {
-
 		if (sdata->vif.type == IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_VLAN)
 			sdata = sdata->u.vlan.ap;
 
 		local->ops->sta_notify(local_to_hw(local), &sdata->vif,
-				       STA_NOTIFY_REMOVE, sta->addr);
+				       STA_NOTIFY_REMOVE, (*sta)->addr);
 	}
 
-	rate_control_remove_sta_debugfs(sta);
-	ieee80211_sta_debugfs_remove(sta);
+	if (ieee80211_vif_is_mesh(&sdata->vif)) {
+		mesh_accept_plinks_update(sdata);
+#ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_MESH
+		del_timer(&(*sta)->plink_timer);
+#endif
+	}
 
-	sta_info_put(sta);
+#ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_VERBOSE_DEBUG
+	printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s: Removed STA %s\n",
+	       wiphy_name(local->hw.wiphy), print_mac(mbuf, (*sta)->addr));
+#endif /* CONFIG_MAC80211_VERBOSE_DEBUG */
 }
 
+void sta_info_unlink(struct sta_info **sta)
+{
+	struct ieee80211_local *local = (*sta)->local;
+	unsigned long flags;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&local->sta_lock, flags);
+	__sta_info_unlink(sta);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&local->sta_lock, flags);
+}
 
 static inline int sta_info_buffer_expired(struct ieee80211_local *local,
 					  struct sta_info *sta,
@@ -404,7 +487,7 @@
 		if (!skb)
 			break;
 
-		sdata = IEEE80211_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(sta->dev);
+		sdata = sta->sdata;
 		local->total_ps_buffered--;
 		printk(KERN_DEBUG "Buffered frame expired (STA "
 		       "%s)\n", print_mac(mac, sta->addr));
@@ -421,13 +504,10 @@
 	struct ieee80211_local *local = (struct ieee80211_local *) data;
 	struct sta_info *sta;
 
-	read_lock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
-	list_for_each_entry(sta, &local->sta_list, list) {
-		__sta_info_get(sta);
+	rcu_read_lock();
+	list_for_each_entry_rcu(sta, &local->sta_list, list)
 		sta_info_cleanup_expire_buffered(local, sta);
-		sta_info_put(sta);
-	}
-	read_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 
 	local->sta_cleanup.expires =
 		round_jiffies(jiffies + STA_INFO_CLEANUP_INTERVAL);
@@ -435,37 +515,45 @@
 }
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_DEBUGFS
-static void sta_info_debugfs_add_task(struct work_struct *work)
+static void sta_info_debugfs_add_work(struct work_struct *work)
 {
 	struct ieee80211_local *local =
 		container_of(work, struct ieee80211_local, sta_debugfs_add);
 	struct sta_info *sta, *tmp;
+	unsigned long flags;
 
 	while (1) {
 		sta = NULL;
-		read_lock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
+
+		spin_lock_irqsave(&local->sta_lock, flags);
 		list_for_each_entry(tmp, &local->sta_list, list) {
 			if (!tmp->debugfs.dir) {
 				sta = tmp;
-				__sta_info_get(sta);
+				__sta_info_pin(sta);
 				break;
 			}
 		}
-		read_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
+		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&local->sta_lock, flags);
 
 		if (!sta)
 			break;
 
 		ieee80211_sta_debugfs_add(sta);
 		rate_control_add_sta_debugfs(sta);
-		sta_info_put(sta);
+
+		sta = __sta_info_unpin(sta);
+
+		if (sta) {
+			synchronize_rcu();
+			sta_info_destroy(sta);
+		}
 	}
 }
 #endif
 
 void sta_info_init(struct ieee80211_local *local)
 {
-	rwlock_init(&local->sta_lock);
+	spin_lock_init(&local->sta_lock);
 	INIT_LIST_HEAD(&local->sta_list);
 
 	setup_timer(&local->sta_cleanup, sta_info_cleanup,
@@ -474,7 +562,7 @@
 		round_jiffies(jiffies + STA_INFO_CLEANUP_INTERVAL);
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_DEBUGFS
-	INIT_WORK(&local->sta_debugfs_add, sta_info_debugfs_add_task);
+	INIT_WORK(&local->sta_debugfs_add, sta_info_debugfs_add_work);
 #endif
 }
 
@@ -493,24 +581,29 @@
 /**
  * sta_info_flush - flush matching STA entries from the STA table
  * @local: local interface data
- * @dev: matching rule for the net device (sta->dev) or %NULL to match all STAs
+ * @sdata: matching rule for the net device (sta->dev) or %NULL to match all STAs
  */
-void sta_info_flush(struct ieee80211_local *local, struct net_device *dev)
+void sta_info_flush(struct ieee80211_local *local,
+		    struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata)
 {
 	struct sta_info *sta, *tmp;
 	LIST_HEAD(tmp_list);
+	unsigned long flags;
 
-	write_lock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
-	list_for_each_entry_safe(sta, tmp, &local->sta_list, list)
-		if (!dev || dev == sta->dev) {
-			__sta_info_get(sta);
-			sta_info_remove(sta);
-			list_add_tail(&sta->list, &tmp_list);
+	might_sleep();
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&local->sta_lock, flags);
+	list_for_each_entry_safe(sta, tmp, &local->sta_list, list) {
+		if (!sdata || sdata == sta->sdata) {
+			__sta_info_unlink(&sta);
+			if (sta)
+				list_add_tail(&sta->list, &tmp_list);
 		}
-	write_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
-
-	list_for_each_entry_safe(sta, tmp, &tmp_list, list) {
-		sta_info_free(sta);
-		sta_info_put(sta);
 	}
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&local->sta_lock, flags);
+
+	synchronize_rcu();
+
+	list_for_each_entry_safe(sta, tmp, &tmp_list, list)
+		sta_info_destroy(sta);
 }
diff --git a/net/mac80211/sta_info.h b/net/mac80211/sta_info.h
index b9dfb6f..787124c 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/sta_info.h
+++ b/net/mac80211/sta_info.h
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@
 #include <linux/list.h>
 #include <linux/types.h>
 #include <linux/if_ether.h>
-#include <linux/kref.h>
 #include "ieee80211_key.h"
 
 /**
@@ -134,8 +133,14 @@
 	u8 dialog_token_allocator;
 };
 
+
+/* see __sta_info_unlink */
+#define STA_INFO_PIN_STAT_NORMAL	0
+#define STA_INFO_PIN_STAT_PINNED	1
+#define STA_INFO_PIN_STAT_DESTROY	2
+
+
 struct sta_info {
-	struct kref kref;
 	struct list_head list;
 	struct sta_info *hnext; /* next entry in hash table list */
 
@@ -166,8 +171,8 @@
 	/* last rates used to send a frame to this STA */
 	int last_txrate_idx, last_nonerp_txrate_idx;
 
-	struct net_device *dev; /* which net device is this station associated
-				 * to */
+	/* sub_if_data this sta belongs to */
+	struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata;
 
 	struct ieee80211_key *key;
 
@@ -199,6 +204,12 @@
 
 	u16 listen_interval;
 
+	/*
+	 * for use by the internal lifetime management,
+	 * see __sta_info_unlink
+	 */
+	u8 pin_status;
+
 	struct ieee80211_ht_info ht_info; /* 802.11n HT capabilities
 					     of this STA */
 	struct sta_ampdu_mlme ampdu_mlme;
@@ -262,25 +273,37 @@
  */
 #define STA_INFO_CLEANUP_INTERVAL (10 * HZ)
 
-static inline void __sta_info_get(struct sta_info *sta)
-{
-	kref_get(&sta->kref);
-}
-
-struct sta_info * sta_info_get(struct ieee80211_local *local, u8 *addr);
+/*
+ * Get a STA info, must have be under RCU read lock.
+ */
+struct sta_info *sta_info_get(struct ieee80211_local *local, u8 *addr);
+/*
+ * Get STA info by index, BROKEN!
+ */
 struct sta_info *sta_info_get_by_idx(struct ieee80211_local *local, int idx,
 				      struct net_device *dev);
-void sta_info_put(struct sta_info *sta);
-struct sta_info *sta_info_add(struct ieee80211_local *local,
-			      struct net_device *dev, u8 *addr, gfp_t gfp);
-void sta_info_remove(struct sta_info *sta);
-void sta_info_free(struct sta_info *sta);
+/*
+ * Add a new STA info, must be under RCU read lock
+ * because otherwise the returned reference isn't
+ * necessarily valid long enough.
+ */
+struct sta_info *sta_info_add(struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata,
+			      u8 *addr);
+/*
+ * Unlink a STA info from the hash table/list.
+ * This can NULL the STA pointer if somebody else
+ * has already unlinked it.
+ */
+void sta_info_unlink(struct sta_info **sta);
+
+void sta_info_destroy(struct sta_info *sta);
+void sta_info_set_tim_bit(struct sta_info *sta);
+void sta_info_clear_tim_bit(struct sta_info *sta);
+
 void sta_info_init(struct ieee80211_local *local);
 int sta_info_start(struct ieee80211_local *local);
 void sta_info_stop(struct ieee80211_local *local);
-void sta_info_flush(struct ieee80211_local *local, struct net_device *dev);
-
-void sta_info_set_tim_bit(struct sta_info *sta);
-void sta_info_clear_tim_bit(struct sta_info *sta);
+void sta_info_flush(struct ieee80211_local *local,
+		    struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata);
 
 #endif /* STA_INFO_H */
diff --git a/net/mac80211/tx.c b/net/mac80211/tx.c
index 33e314f..80f4343 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/tx.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/tx.c
@@ -327,10 +327,8 @@
 		}
 		total += skb_queue_len(&ap->ps_bc_buf);
 	}
-	rcu_read_unlock();
 
-	read_lock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
-	list_for_each_entry(sta, &local->sta_list, list) {
+	list_for_each_entry_rcu(sta, &local->sta_list, list) {
 		skb = skb_dequeue(&sta->ps_tx_buf);
 		if (skb) {
 			purged++;
@@ -338,7 +336,8 @@
 		}
 		total += skb_queue_len(&sta->ps_tx_buf);
 	}
-	read_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
+
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 
 	local->total_ps_buffered = total;
 	printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s: PS buffers full - purged %d frames\n",
@@ -1141,20 +1140,17 @@
 		return 0;
 	}
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	/* initialises tx */
 	res_prepare = __ieee80211_tx_prepare(&tx, skb, dev, control);
 
 	if (res_prepare == TX_DROP) {
 		dev_kfree_skb(skb);
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	/*
-	 * key references are protected using RCU and this requires that
-	 * we are in a read-site RCU section during receive processing
-	 */
-	rcu_read_lock();
-
 	sta = tx.sta;
 	tx.channel = local->hw.conf.channel;
 
@@ -1167,9 +1163,6 @@
 
 	skb = tx.skb; /* handlers are allowed to change skb */
 
-	if (sta)
-		sta_info_put(sta);
-
 	if (unlikely(res == TX_DROP)) {
 		I802_DEBUG_INC(local->tx_handlers_drop);
 		goto drop;
@@ -1489,11 +1482,11 @@
 	 * in AP mode)
 	 */
 	if (!is_multicast_ether_addr(hdr.addr1)) {
+		rcu_read_lock();
 		sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr.addr1);
-		if (sta) {
+		if (sta)
 			sta_flags = sta->flags;
-			sta_info_put(sta);
-		}
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 	}
 
 	/* receiver is QoS enabled, use a QoS type frame */
@@ -1722,7 +1715,6 @@
 
 	/* Generate bitmap for TIM only if there are any STAs in power save
 	 * mode. */
-	read_lock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
 	if (atomic_read(&bss->num_sta_ps) > 0)
 		/* in the hope that this is faster than
 		 * checking byte-for-byte */
@@ -1773,7 +1765,6 @@
 		*pos++ = aid0; /* Bitmap control */
 		*pos++ = 0; /* Part Virt Bitmap */
 	}
-	read_unlock_bh(&local->sta_lock);
 }
 
 struct sk_buff *ieee80211_beacon_get(struct ieee80211_hw *hw,
@@ -1821,7 +1812,22 @@
 			ieee80211_include_sequence(sdata,
 					(struct ieee80211_hdr *)skb->data);
 
-			ieee80211_beacon_add_tim(local, ap, skb, beacon);
+			/*
+			 * Not very nice, but we want to allow the driver to call
+			 * ieee80211_beacon_get() as a response to the set_tim()
+			 * callback. That, however, is already invoked under the
+			 * sta_lock to guarantee consistent and race-free update
+			 * of the tim bitmap in mac80211 and the driver.
+			 */
+			if (local->tim_in_locked_section) {
+				ieee80211_beacon_add_tim(local, ap, skb, beacon);
+			} else {
+				unsigned long flags;
+
+				spin_lock_irqsave(&local->sta_lock, flags);
+				ieee80211_beacon_add_tim(local, ap, skb, beacon);
+				spin_unlock_irqrestore(&local->sta_lock, flags);
+			}
 
 			if (beacon->tail)
 				memcpy(skb_put(skb, beacon->tail_len),
@@ -1965,7 +1971,6 @@
 		rcu_read_unlock();
 		return NULL;
 	}
-	rcu_read_unlock();
 
 	if (bss->dtim_count != 0)
 		return NULL; /* send buffered bc/mc only after DTIM beacon */
@@ -2010,8 +2015,7 @@
 		skb = NULL;
 	}
 
-	if (sta)
-		sta_info_put(sta);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 
 	return skb;
 }
diff --git a/net/mac80211/wme.c b/net/mac80211/wme.c
index 8cc036d..4e94e40 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/wme.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/wme.c
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@
 
 	if (pkt_data->flags & IEEE80211_TXPD_REQUEUE) {
 		queue = pkt_data->queue;
+		rcu_read_lock();
 		sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr->addr1);
 		tid = skb->priority & QOS_CONTROL_TAG1D_MASK;
 		if (sta) {
@@ -164,8 +165,8 @@
 			} else {
 				pkt_data->flags &= ~IEEE80211_TXPD_AMPDU;
 			}
-			sta_info_put(sta);
 		}
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 		skb_queue_tail(&q->requeued[queue], skb);
 		qd->q.qlen++;
 		return 0;
@@ -187,6 +188,8 @@
 		p++;
 		*p = 0;
 
+		rcu_read_lock();
+
 		sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr->addr1);
 		if (sta) {
 			int ampdu_queue = sta->tid_to_tx_q[tid];
@@ -197,8 +200,9 @@
 			} else {
 				pkt_data->flags &= ~IEEE80211_TXPD_AMPDU;
 			}
-			sta_info_put(sta);
 		}
+
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 	}
 
 	if (unlikely(queue >= local->hw.queues)) {