diff mbox

platform/x86: dell-laptop: Allocate buffer on heap rather than globally

Message ID 1517331540-13266-1-git-send-email-mario.limonciello@dell.com (mailing list archive)
State Changes Requested, archived
Delegated to: Andy Shevchenko
Headers show

Commit Message

Limonciello, Mario Jan. 30, 2018, 4:59 p.m. UTC
There may be race conditions with multiple different functions working
on a module wide buffer causing one function to get the wrong results.

Suggested-by: Pali Rohar <pali.rohar@gmail.com>
Signed-off-by: Mario Limonciello <mario.limonciello@dell.com>
---
 drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c | 188 ++++++++++++++++++++-----------------
 1 file changed, 103 insertions(+), 85 deletions(-)

Comments

Pali Rohár Jan. 30, 2018, 5:17 p.m. UTC | #1
On Tuesday 30 January 2018 10:59:00 Mario Limonciello wrote:
> There may be race conditions with multiple different functions working
> on a module wide buffer causing one function to get the wrong results.

Yes, this is better. We really do not need to allocate shared buffer in
dell-laptop anymore. Before this buffer was specially allocated in first
4GB addresses space because its physical addresses was passed into SMM.
But now this buffer is not used by SMM anymore (another one is allocated
in dell-smbios* code), so in dell-laptop we can really get rid of shared
buffers, which also simplify code. Working with mutexes and concurrency
always leads to problems and it is better to avoid it.

> Suggested-by: Pali Rohar <pali.rohar@gmail.com>
> Signed-off-by: Mario Limonciello <mario.limonciello@dell.com>
> ---
>  drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c | 188 ++++++++++++++++++++-----------------
>  1 file changed, 103 insertions(+), 85 deletions(-)
> 
> diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c b/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c
> index fc2dfc8..ab58373 100644
> --- a/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c
> +++ b/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c
> @@ -78,7 +78,6 @@ static struct platform_driver platform_driver = {
>  	}
>  };
>  
> -static struct calling_interface_buffer *buffer;
>  static struct platform_device *platform_device;
>  static struct backlight_device *dell_backlight_device;
>  static struct rfkill *wifi_rfkill;
> @@ -322,7 +321,8 @@ static const struct dmi_system_id dell_quirks[] __initconst = {
>  	{ }
>  };
>  
> -static void dell_set_arguments(u32 arg0, u32 arg1, u32 arg2, u32 arg3)
> +static void dell_set_arguments(struct calling_interface_buffer *buffer,
> +			       u32 arg0, u32 arg1, u32 arg2, u32 arg3)

Hm... this function has too many parameters :-(

What about following API?

static struct calling_interface_buffer dell_set_arguments(u32 arg0, u32 arg1, u32 arg2, u32 arg3);

It would return filled structure (not a pointer !) and caller would be
able to use it as:

  struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
  buffer = dell_set_arguments(0x2, 0, 0, 0);
  ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);

And maybe after this change, function dell_set_arguments() could have
better name, e.g. dell_prepare_request() (or dell_prepare_request_buffer)
as "set arguments" is not really what would function do (as it return
something).

  struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
  buffer = dell_prepare_request_buffer(0x2, 0, 0, 0);
  ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);

Andy, any suggestion or opinion?
Pali Rohár Jan. 30, 2018, 5:20 p.m. UTC | #2
On Tuesday 30 January 2018 10:59:00 Mario Limonciello wrote:
> There may be race conditions with multiple different functions working
> on a module wide buffer causing one function to get the wrong results.
> 
> Suggested-by: Pali Rohar <pali.rohar@gmail.com>
> Signed-off-by: Mario Limonciello <mario.limonciello@dell.com>

And Fixes: 549b4930f057658dc50d8010e66219233119a4d8

I think fix for such race condition should be forwarded to stable
kernel(s). Apparently only 4.15 is affected.
Andy Shevchenko Jan. 30, 2018, 6:14 p.m. UTC | #3
On Tue, Jan 30, 2018 at 7:17 PM, Pali Rohár <pali.rohar@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Tuesday 30 January 2018 10:59:00 Mario Limonciello wrote:
>> There may be race conditions with multiple different functions working
>> on a module wide buffer causing one function to get the wrong results.
>
> Yes, this is better. We really do not need to allocate shared buffer in
> dell-laptop anymore. Before this buffer was specially allocated in first
> 4GB addresses space because its physical addresses was passed into SMM.

+1.

>> -static void dell_set_arguments(u32 arg0, u32 arg1, u32 arg2, u32 arg3)
>> +static void dell_set_arguments(struct calling_interface_buffer *buffer,
>> +                            u32 arg0, u32 arg1, u32 arg2, u32 arg3)
>
> Hm... this function has too many parameters :-(
>
> What about following API?
>
> static struct calling_interface_buffer dell_set_arguments(u32 arg0, u32 arg1, u32 arg2, u32 arg3);
>
> It would return filled structure (not a pointer !)

I do not think it's a good idea. Either we allocate request on a heap
and return a pointer, or we fill the struct with some data on spot.

To naming:

for allocation: ..._alloc_request()
for filling: _fill_request() / _prepare_request()

or alike.

_set_arguments() not good enough to me.

> and caller would be
> able to use it as:
>
>   struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
>   buffer = dell_set_arguments(0x2, 0, 0, 0);
>   ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);

See above.

> And maybe after this change, function dell_set_arguments() could have
> better name, e.g. dell_prepare_request() (or dell_prepare_request_buffer)
> as "set arguments" is not really what would function do (as it return
> something).

Agree.

>
>   struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
>   buffer = dell_prepare_request_buffer(0x2, 0, 0, 0);
>   ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
>
> Andy, any suggestion or opinion?

See above.
Pali Rohár Jan. 31, 2018, 9:07 a.m. UTC | #4
On Tuesday 30 January 2018 20:14:26 Andy Shevchenko wrote:
> >> -static void dell_set_arguments(u32 arg0, u32 arg1, u32 arg2, u32 arg3)
> >> +static void dell_set_arguments(struct calling_interface_buffer *buffer,
> >> +                            u32 arg0, u32 arg1, u32 arg2, u32 arg3)
> >
> > Hm... this function has too many parameters :-(
> >
> > What about following API?
> >
> > static struct calling_interface_buffer dell_set_arguments(u32 arg0, u32 arg1, u32 arg2, u32 arg3);
> >
> > It would return filled structure (not a pointer !)
> 
> I do not think it's a good idea. Either we allocate request on a heap
> and return a pointer, or we fill the struct with some data on spot.
> 
> To naming:
> 
> for allocation: ..._alloc_request()
> for filling: _fill_request() / _prepare_request()
> 
> or alike.
> 
> _set_arguments() not good enough to me.

Ok. Then we need to stick with 5 arguments... What about name
dell_fill_request()? E.g.

  struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
  dell_fill_request(&buffer, 0x2, 0, 0, 0);
  ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
diff mbox

Patch

diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c b/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c
index fc2dfc8..ab58373 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c
@@ -78,7 +78,6 @@  static struct platform_driver platform_driver = {
 	}
 };
 
-static struct calling_interface_buffer *buffer;
 static struct platform_device *platform_device;
 static struct backlight_device *dell_backlight_device;
 static struct rfkill *wifi_rfkill;
@@ -322,7 +321,8 @@  static const struct dmi_system_id dell_quirks[] __initconst = {
 	{ }
 };
 
-static void dell_set_arguments(u32 arg0, u32 arg1, u32 arg2, u32 arg3)
+static void dell_set_arguments(struct calling_interface_buffer *buffer,
+			       u32 arg0, u32 arg1, u32 arg2, u32 arg3)
 {
 	memset(buffer, 0, sizeof(struct calling_interface_buffer));
 	buffer->input[0] = arg0;
@@ -331,7 +331,8 @@  static void dell_set_arguments(u32 arg0, u32 arg1, u32 arg2, u32 arg3)
 	buffer->input[3] = arg3;
 }
 
-static int dell_send_request(u16 class, u16 select)
+static int dell_send_request(struct calling_interface_buffer *buffer,
+			     u16 class, u16 select)
 {
 	int ret;
 
@@ -468,21 +469,22 @@  static int dell_rfkill_set(void *data, bool blocked)
 	int disable = blocked ? 1 : 0;
 	unsigned long radio = (unsigned long)data;
 	int hwswitch_bit = (unsigned long)data - 1;
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	int hwswitch;
 	int status;
 	int ret;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(0, 0, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
 	if (ret)
 		return ret;
-	status = buffer->output[1];
+	status = buffer.output[1];
 
-	dell_set_arguments(0x2, 0, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 0x2, 0, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
 	if (ret)
 		return ret;
-	hwswitch = buffer->output[1];
+	hwswitch = buffer.output[1];
 
 	/* If the hardware switch controls this radio, and the hardware
 	   switch is disabled, always disable the radio */
@@ -490,8 +492,8 @@  static int dell_rfkill_set(void *data, bool blocked)
 	    (status & BIT(0)) && !(status & BIT(16)))
 		disable = 1;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(1 | (radio<<8) | (disable << 16), 0, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 1 | (radio<<8) | (disable << 16), 0, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -500,9 +502,11 @@  static void dell_rfkill_update_sw_state(struct rfkill *rfkill, int radio,
 {
 	if (status & BIT(0)) {
 		/* Has hw-switch, sync sw_state to BIOS */
+		struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 		int block = rfkill_blocked(rfkill);
-		dell_set_arguments(1 | (radio << 8) | (block << 16), 0, 0, 0);
-		dell_send_request(CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
+		dell_set_arguments(&buffer,
+				   1 | (radio << 8) | (block << 16), 0, 0, 0);
+		dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
 	} else {
 		/* No hw-switch, sync BIOS state to sw_state */
 		rfkill_set_sw_state(rfkill, !!(status & BIT(radio + 16)));
@@ -519,21 +523,22 @@  static void dell_rfkill_update_hw_state(struct rfkill *rfkill, int radio,
 static void dell_rfkill_query(struct rfkill *rfkill, void *data)
 {
 	int radio = ((unsigned long)data & 0xF);
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	int hwswitch;
 	int status;
 	int ret;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(0, 0, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
-	status = buffer->output[1];
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
+	status = buffer.output[1];
 
 	if (ret != 0 || !(status & BIT(0))) {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	dell_set_arguments(0, 0x2, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
-	hwswitch = buffer->output[1];
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 0, 0x2, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
+	hwswitch = buffer.output[1];
 
 	if (ret != 0)
 		return;
@@ -550,22 +555,23 @@  static struct dentry *dell_laptop_dir;
 
 static int dell_debugfs_show(struct seq_file *s, void *data)
 {
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	int hwswitch_state;
 	int hwswitch_ret;
 	int status;
 	int ret;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(0, 0, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
 	if (ret)
 		return ret;
-	status = buffer->output[1];
+	status = buffer.output[1];
 
-	dell_set_arguments(0, 0x2, 0, 0);
-	hwswitch_ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 0, 0x2, 0, 0);
+	hwswitch_ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
 	if (hwswitch_ret)
 		return hwswitch_ret;
-	hwswitch_state = buffer->output[1];
+	hwswitch_state = buffer.output[1];
 
 	seq_printf(s, "return:\t%d\n", ret);
 	seq_printf(s, "status:\t0x%X\n", status);
@@ -646,22 +652,23 @@  static const struct file_operations dell_debugfs_fops = {
 
 static void dell_update_rfkill(struct work_struct *ignored)
 {
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	int hwswitch = 0;
 	int status;
 	int ret;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(0, 0, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
-	status = buffer->output[1];
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
+	status = buffer.output[1];
 
 	if (ret != 0)
 		return;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(0, 0x2, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 0, 0x2, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
 
 	if (ret == 0 && (status & BIT(0)))
-		hwswitch = buffer->output[1];
+		hwswitch = buffer.output[1];
 
 	if (wifi_rfkill) {
 		dell_rfkill_update_hw_state(wifi_rfkill, 1, status, hwswitch);
@@ -719,6 +726,7 @@  static struct notifier_block dell_laptop_rbtn_notifier = {
 
 static int __init dell_setup_rfkill(void)
 {
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	int status, ret, whitelisted;
 	const char *product;
 
@@ -734,9 +742,9 @@  static int __init dell_setup_rfkill(void)
 	if (!force_rfkill && !whitelisted)
 		return 0;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(0, 0, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
-	status = buffer->output[1];
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_INFO, SELECT_RFKILL);
+	status = buffer.output[1];
 
 	/* dell wireless info smbios call is not supported */
 	if (ret != 0)
@@ -889,6 +897,7 @@  static void dell_cleanup_rfkill(void)
 
 static int dell_send_intensity(struct backlight_device *bd)
 {
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	struct calling_interface_token *token;
 	int ret;
 
@@ -896,17 +905,21 @@  static int dell_send_intensity(struct backlight_device *bd)
 	if (!token)
 		return -ENODEV;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(token->location, bd->props.brightness, 0, 0);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer,
+			   token->location, bd->props.brightness, 0, 0);
 	if (power_supply_is_system_supplied() > 0)
-		ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_TOKEN_WRITE, SELECT_TOKEN_AC);
+		ret = dell_send_request(&buffer,
+					CLASS_TOKEN_WRITE, SELECT_TOKEN_AC);
 	else
-		ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_TOKEN_WRITE, SELECT_TOKEN_BAT);
+		ret = dell_send_request(&buffer,
+					CLASS_TOKEN_WRITE, SELECT_TOKEN_BAT);
 
 	return ret;
 }
 
 static int dell_get_intensity(struct backlight_device *bd)
 {
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	struct calling_interface_token *token;
 	int ret;
 
@@ -914,14 +927,17 @@  static int dell_get_intensity(struct backlight_device *bd)
 	if (!token)
 		return -ENODEV;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(token->location, 0, 0, 0);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, token->location, 0, 0, 0);
 	if (power_supply_is_system_supplied() > 0)
-		ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_TOKEN_READ, SELECT_TOKEN_AC);
+		ret = dell_send_request(&buffer,
+					CLASS_TOKEN_READ, SELECT_TOKEN_AC);
 	else
-		ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_TOKEN_READ, SELECT_TOKEN_BAT);
+		ret = dell_send_request(&buffer,
+					CLASS_TOKEN_READ, SELECT_TOKEN_BAT);
 
 	if (ret == 0)
-		ret = buffer->output[1];
+		ret = buffer.output[1];
+
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -1186,31 +1202,33 @@  static enum led_brightness kbd_led_level;
 
 static int kbd_get_info(struct kbd_info *info)
 {
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	u8 units;
 	int ret;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(0, 0, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_KBD_BACKLIGHT, SELECT_KBD_BACKLIGHT);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer,
+				CLASS_KBD_BACKLIGHT, SELECT_KBD_BACKLIGHT);
 	if (ret)
 		return ret;
 
-	info->modes = buffer->output[1] & 0xFFFF;
-	info->type = (buffer->output[1] >> 24) & 0xFF;
-	info->triggers = buffer->output[2] & 0xFF;
-	units = (buffer->output[2] >> 8) & 0xFF;
-	info->levels = (buffer->output[2] >> 16) & 0xFF;
+	info->modes = buffer.output[1] & 0xFFFF;
+	info->type = (buffer.output[1] >> 24) & 0xFF;
+	info->triggers = buffer.output[2] & 0xFF;
+	units = (buffer.output[2] >> 8) & 0xFF;
+	info->levels = (buffer.output[2] >> 16) & 0xFF;
 
 	if (quirks && quirks->kbd_led_levels_off_1 && info->levels)
 		info->levels--;
 
 	if (units & BIT(0))
-		info->seconds = (buffer->output[3] >> 0) & 0xFF;
+		info->seconds = (buffer.output[3] >> 0) & 0xFF;
 	if (units & BIT(1))
-		info->minutes = (buffer->output[3] >> 8) & 0xFF;
+		info->minutes = (buffer.output[3] >> 8) & 0xFF;
 	if (units & BIT(2))
-		info->hours = (buffer->output[3] >> 16) & 0xFF;
+		info->hours = (buffer.output[3] >> 16) & 0xFF;
 	if (units & BIT(3))
-		info->days = (buffer->output[3] >> 24) & 0xFF;
+		info->days = (buffer.output[3] >> 24) & 0xFF;
 
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -1270,31 +1288,34 @@  static int kbd_set_level(struct kbd_state *state, u8 level)
 
 static int kbd_get_state(struct kbd_state *state)
 {
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	int ret;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(0x1, 0, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_KBD_BACKLIGHT, SELECT_KBD_BACKLIGHT);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer,
+				CLASS_KBD_BACKLIGHT, SELECT_KBD_BACKLIGHT);
 	if (ret)
 		return ret;
 
-	state->mode_bit = ffs(buffer->output[1] & 0xFFFF);
+	state->mode_bit = ffs(buffer.output[1] & 0xFFFF);
 	if (state->mode_bit != 0)
 		state->mode_bit--;
 
-	state->triggers = (buffer->output[1] >> 16) & 0xFF;
-	state->timeout_value = (buffer->output[1] >> 24) & 0x3F;
-	state->timeout_unit = (buffer->output[1] >> 30) & 0x3;
-	state->als_setting = buffer->output[2] & 0xFF;
-	state->als_value = (buffer->output[2] >> 8) & 0xFF;
-	state->level = (buffer->output[2] >> 16) & 0xFF;
-	state->timeout_value_ac = (buffer->output[2] >> 24) & 0x3F;
-	state->timeout_unit_ac = (buffer->output[2] >> 30) & 0x3;
+	state->triggers = (buffer.output[1] >> 16) & 0xFF;
+	state->timeout_value = (buffer.output[1] >> 24) & 0x3F;
+	state->timeout_unit = (buffer.output[1] >> 30) & 0x3;
+	state->als_setting = buffer.output[2] & 0xFF;
+	state->als_value = (buffer.output[2] >> 8) & 0xFF;
+	state->level = (buffer.output[2] >> 16) & 0xFF;
+	state->timeout_value_ac = (buffer.output[2] >> 24) & 0x3F;
+	state->timeout_unit_ac = (buffer.output[2] >> 30) & 0x3;
 
 	return ret;
 }
 
 static int kbd_set_state(struct kbd_state *state)
 {
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	int ret;
 	u32 input1;
 	u32 input2;
@@ -1307,8 +1328,9 @@  static int kbd_set_state(struct kbd_state *state)
 	input2 |= (state->level & 0xFF) << 16;
 	input2 |= (state->timeout_value_ac & 0x3F) << 24;
 	input2 |= (state->timeout_unit_ac & 0x3) << 30;
-	dell_set_arguments(0x2, input1, input2, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_KBD_BACKLIGHT, SELECT_KBD_BACKLIGHT);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, 0x2, input1, input2, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer,
+				CLASS_KBD_BACKLIGHT, SELECT_KBD_BACKLIGHT);
 
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -1335,6 +1357,7 @@  static int kbd_set_state_safe(struct kbd_state *state, struct kbd_state *old)
 
 static int kbd_set_token_bit(u8 bit)
 {
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	struct calling_interface_token *token;
 	int ret;
 
@@ -1345,14 +1368,15 @@  static int kbd_set_token_bit(u8 bit)
 	if (!token)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(token->location, token->value, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_TOKEN_WRITE, SELECT_TOKEN_STD);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, token->location, token->value, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_TOKEN_WRITE, SELECT_TOKEN_STD);
 
 	return ret;
 }
 
 static int kbd_get_token_bit(u8 bit)
 {
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	struct calling_interface_token *token;
 	int ret;
 	int val;
@@ -1364,9 +1388,9 @@  static int kbd_get_token_bit(u8 bit)
 	if (!token)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(token->location, 0, 0, 0);
-	ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_TOKEN_READ, SELECT_TOKEN_STD);
-	val = buffer->output[1];
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, token->location, 0, 0, 0);
+	ret = dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_TOKEN_READ, SELECT_TOKEN_STD);
+	val = buffer.output[1];
 
 	if (ret)
 		return ret;
@@ -2102,6 +2126,7 @@  static struct notifier_block dell_laptop_notifier = {
 
 int dell_micmute_led_set(int state)
 {
+	struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
 	struct calling_interface_token *token;
 
 	if (state == 0)
@@ -2114,8 +2139,8 @@  int dell_micmute_led_set(int state)
 	if (!token)
 		return -ENODEV;
 
-	dell_set_arguments(token->location, token->value, 0, 0);
-	dell_send_request(CLASS_TOKEN_WRITE, SELECT_TOKEN_STD);
+	dell_set_arguments(&buffer, token->location, token->value, 0, 0);
+	dell_send_request(&buffer, CLASS_TOKEN_WRITE, SELECT_TOKEN_STD);
 
 	return state;
 }
@@ -2146,13 +2171,6 @@  static int __init dell_init(void)
 	if (ret)
 		goto fail_platform_device2;
 
-	buffer = kzalloc(sizeof(struct calling_interface_buffer), GFP_KERNEL);
-	if (!buffer) {
-		ret = -ENOMEM;
-		goto fail_buffer;
-	}
-
-
 	ret = dell_setup_rfkill();
 
 	if (ret) {
@@ -2177,10 +2195,13 @@  static int __init dell_init(void)
 
 	token = dell_smbios_find_token(BRIGHTNESS_TOKEN);
 	if (token) {
-		dell_set_arguments(token->location, 0, 0, 0);
-		ret = dell_send_request(CLASS_TOKEN_READ, SELECT_TOKEN_AC);
+		struct calling_interface_buffer buffer;
+
+		dell_set_arguments(&buffer, token->location, 0, 0, 0);
+		ret = dell_send_request(&buffer,
+					CLASS_TOKEN_READ, SELECT_TOKEN_AC);
 		if (ret)
-			max_intensity = buffer->output[3];
+			max_intensity = buffer.output[3];
 	}
 
 	if (max_intensity) {
@@ -2214,8 +2235,6 @@  static int __init dell_init(void)
 fail_get_brightness:
 	backlight_device_unregister(dell_backlight_device);
 fail_backlight:
-	kfree(buffer);
-fail_buffer:
 	dell_cleanup_rfkill();
 fail_rfkill:
 	platform_device_del(platform_device);
@@ -2235,7 +2254,6 @@  static void __exit dell_exit(void)
 		touchpad_led_exit();
 	kbd_led_exit();
 	backlight_device_unregister(dell_backlight_device);
-	kfree(buffer);
 	dell_cleanup_rfkill();
 	if (platform_device) {
 		platform_device_unregister(platform_device);