diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/Makefile b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/Makefile
index e14cef9..9bb69a8 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/Makefile
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/Makefile
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ ath6kl_sdio-y += init.o
 ath6kl_sdio-y += main.o
 ath6kl_sdio-y += txrx.o
 ath6kl_sdio-y += wmi.o
+ath6kl_sdio-y += core.o
 ath6kl_sdio-y += sdio.o
 ath6kl_sdio-$(CONFIG_NL80211_TESTMODE) += testmode.o
 
@@ -44,6 +45,7 @@ ath6kl_usb-y += init.o
 ath6kl_usb-y += main.o
 ath6kl_usb-y += txrx.o
 ath6kl_usb-y += wmi.o
+ath6kl_usb-y += core.o
 ath6kl_usb-y += usb.o
 ath6kl_usb-$(CONFIG_NL80211_TESTMODE) += testmode.o
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/cfg80211.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/cfg80211.c
index 5f2c137..64043f8 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/cfg80211.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/cfg80211.c
@@ -22,10 +22,6 @@
 #include "hif-ops.h"
 #include "testmode.h"
 
-static unsigned int ath6kl_p2p;
-
-module_param(ath6kl_p2p, uint, 0644);
-
 #define RATETAB_ENT(_rate, _rateid, _flags) {   \
 	.bitrate    = (_rate),                  \
 	.flags      = (_flags),                 \
@@ -2629,68 +2625,6 @@ void ath6kl_cfg80211_stop_all(struct ath6kl *ar)
 		ath6kl_cfg80211_stop(vif);
 }
 
-struct ath6kl *ath6kl_core_alloc(struct device *dev)
-{
-	struct ath6kl *ar;
-	struct wiphy *wiphy;
-	u8 ctr;
-
-	/* create a new wiphy for use with cfg80211 */
-	wiphy = wiphy_new(&ath6kl_cfg80211_ops, sizeof(struct ath6kl));
-
-	if (!wiphy) {
-		ath6kl_err("couldn't allocate wiphy device\n");
-		return NULL;
-	}
-
-	ar = wiphy_priv(wiphy);
-	ar->p2p = !!ath6kl_p2p;
-	ar->wiphy = wiphy;
-	ar->dev = dev;
-
-	ar->vif_max = 1;
-
-	ar->max_norm_iface = 1;
-
-	spin_lock_init(&ar->lock);
-	spin_lock_init(&ar->mcastpsq_lock);
-	spin_lock_init(&ar->list_lock);
-
-	init_waitqueue_head(&ar->event_wq);
-	sema_init(&ar->sem, 1);
-
-	INIT_LIST_HEAD(&ar->amsdu_rx_buffer_queue);
-	INIT_LIST_HEAD(&ar->vif_list);
-
-	clear_bit(WMI_ENABLED, &ar->flag);
-	clear_bit(SKIP_SCAN, &ar->flag);
-	clear_bit(DESTROY_IN_PROGRESS, &ar->flag);
-
-	ar->listen_intvl_t = A_DEFAULT_LISTEN_INTERVAL;
-	ar->listen_intvl_b = 0;
-	ar->tx_pwr = 0;
-
-	ar->intra_bss = 1;
-	ar->lrssi_roam_threshold = DEF_LRSSI_ROAM_THRESHOLD;
-
-	ar->state = ATH6KL_STATE_OFF;
-
-	memset((u8 *)ar->sta_list, 0,
-	       AP_MAX_NUM_STA * sizeof(struct ath6kl_sta));
-
-	/* Init the PS queues */
-	for (ctr = 0; ctr < AP_MAX_NUM_STA; ctr++) {
-		spin_lock_init(&ar->sta_list[ctr].psq_lock);
-		skb_queue_head_init(&ar->sta_list[ctr].psq);
-	}
-
-	skb_queue_head_init(&ar->mcastpsq);
-
-	memcpy(ar->ap_country_code, DEF_AP_COUNTRY_CODE, 3);
-
-	return ar;
-}
-
 static int ath6kl_cfg80211_vif_init(struct ath6kl_vif *vif)
 {
 	vif->aggr_cntxt = aggr_init(vif->ndev);
@@ -2838,10 +2772,30 @@ int ath6kl_cfg80211_init(struct ath6kl *ar)
 void ath6kl_cfg80211_cleanup(struct ath6kl *ar)
 {
 	wiphy_unregister(ar->wiphy);
+}
 
-	/*
-	 * FIXME: should be removed as we remove wiphy in
-	 * ath6kl_core_free(). Most likely this causes a use after free.
-	 */
+struct ath6kl *ath6kl_cfg80211_create(void)
+{
+	struct ath6kl *ar;
+	struct wiphy *wiphy;
+
+	/* create a new wiphy for use with cfg80211 */
+	wiphy = wiphy_new(&ath6kl_cfg80211_ops, sizeof(struct ath6kl));
+
+	if (!wiphy) {
+		ath6kl_err("couldn't allocate wiphy device\n");
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	ar = wiphy_priv(wiphy);
+	ar->wiphy = wiphy;
+
+	return ar;
+}
+
+/* Note: ar variable must not be accessed after calling this! */
+void ath6kl_cfg80211_destroy(struct ath6kl *ar)
+{
 	wiphy_free(ar->wiphy);
 }
+
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/cfg80211.h b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/cfg80211.h
index 08d9769..3c693b7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/cfg80211.h
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/cfg80211.h
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ enum ath6kl_cfg_suspend_mode {
 struct net_device *ath6kl_interface_add(struct ath6kl *ar, char *name,
 					enum nl80211_iftype type,
 					u8 fw_vif_idx, u8 nw_type);
-struct ath6kl *ath6kl_core_alloc(struct device *dev);
 void ath6kl_cfg80211_scan_complete_event(struct ath6kl_vif *vif, bool aborted);
 
 void ath6kl_cfg80211_connect_event(struct ath6kl_vif *vif, u16 channel,
@@ -58,4 +57,7 @@ void ath6kl_cfg80211_stop_all(struct ath6kl *ar);
 int ath6kl_cfg80211_init(struct ath6kl *ar);
 void ath6kl_cfg80211_cleanup(struct ath6kl *ar);
 
+struct ath6kl *ath6kl_cfg80211_create(void);
+void ath6kl_cfg80211_destroy(struct ath6kl *ar);
+
 #endif /* ATH6KL_CFG80211_H */
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/common.h b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/common.h
index bfd6597..f89f1e1 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/common.h
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/common.h
@@ -79,8 +79,5 @@ struct ath6kl;
 enum htc_credit_dist_reason;
 struct ath6kl_htc_credit_info;
 
-struct ath6kl *ath6kl_core_alloc(struct device *sdev);
-int ath6kl_core_init(struct ath6kl *ar);
-void ath6kl_core_cleanup(struct ath6kl *ar);
 struct sk_buff *ath6kl_buf_alloc(int size);
 #endif /* COMMON_H */
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/core.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/core.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e3574e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/core.c
@@ -0,0 +1,288 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2004-2011 Atheros Communications Inc.
+ *
+ * Permission to use, copy, modify, and/or distribute this software for any
+ * purpose with or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above
+ * copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
+ * WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
+ * MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR
+ * ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
+ * WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN
+ * ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF
+ * OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
+ */
+
+#include "core.h"
+
+#include <linux/moduleparam.h>
+
+#include "debug.h"
+#include "hif-ops.h"
+#include "cfg80211.h"
+
+unsigned int debug_mask;
+static bool suspend_cutpower;
+static unsigned int uart_debug;
+static unsigned int ath6kl_p2p;
+
+module_param(debug_mask, uint, 0644);
+module_param(suspend_cutpower, bool, 0444);
+module_param(uart_debug, uint, 0644);
+module_param(ath6kl_p2p, uint, 0644);
+
+int ath6kl_core_init(struct ath6kl *ar)
+{
+	struct ath6kl_bmi_target_info targ_info;
+	struct net_device *ndev;
+	int ret = 0, i;
+
+	ar->ath6kl_wq = create_singlethread_workqueue("ath6kl");
+	if (!ar->ath6kl_wq)
+		return -ENOMEM;
+
+	ret = ath6kl_bmi_init(ar);
+	if (ret)
+		goto err_wq;
+
+	/*
+	 * Turn on power to get hardware (target) version and leave power
+	 * on delibrately as we will boot the hardware anyway within few
+	 * seconds.
+	 */
+	ret = ath6kl_hif_power_on(ar);
+	if (ret)
+		goto err_bmi_cleanup;
+
+	ret = ath6kl_bmi_get_target_info(ar, &targ_info);
+	if (ret)
+		goto err_power_off;
+
+	ar->version.target_ver = le32_to_cpu(targ_info.version);
+	ar->target_type = le32_to_cpu(targ_info.type);
+	ar->wiphy->hw_version = le32_to_cpu(targ_info.version);
+
+	ret = ath6kl_init_hw_params(ar);
+	if (ret)
+		goto err_power_off;
+
+	ar->htc_target = ath6kl_htc_create(ar);
+
+	if (!ar->htc_target) {
+		ret = -ENOMEM;
+		goto err_power_off;
+	}
+
+	ret = ath6kl_init_fetch_firmwares(ar);
+	if (ret)
+		goto err_htc_cleanup;
+
+	/* FIXME: we should free all firmwares in the error cases below */
+
+	/* Indicate that WMI is enabled (although not ready yet) */
+	set_bit(WMI_ENABLED, &ar->flag);
+	ar->wmi = ath6kl_wmi_init(ar);
+	if (!ar->wmi) {
+		ath6kl_err("failed to initialize wmi\n");
+		ret = -EIO;
+		goto err_htc_cleanup;
+	}
+
+	ath6kl_dbg(ATH6KL_DBG_TRC, "%s: got wmi @ 0x%p.\n", __func__, ar->wmi);
+
+	ret = ath6kl_cfg80211_init(ar);
+	if (ret)
+		goto err_node_cleanup;
+
+	ret = ath6kl_debug_init(ar);
+	if (ret) {
+		wiphy_unregister(ar->wiphy);
+		goto err_node_cleanup;
+	}
+
+	for (i = 0; i < ar->vif_max; i++)
+		ar->avail_idx_map |= BIT(i);
+
+	rtnl_lock();
+
+	/* Add an initial station interface */
+	ndev = ath6kl_interface_add(ar, "wlan%d", NL80211_IFTYPE_STATION, 0,
+				    INFRA_NETWORK);
+
+	rtnl_unlock();
+
+	if (!ndev) {
+		ath6kl_err("Failed to instantiate a network device\n");
+		ret = -ENOMEM;
+		wiphy_unregister(ar->wiphy);
+		goto err_debug_init;
+	}
+
+
+	ath6kl_dbg(ATH6KL_DBG_TRC, "%s: name=%s dev=0x%p, ar=0x%p\n",
+			__func__, ndev->name, ndev, ar);
+
+	/* setup access class priority mappings */
+	ar->ac_stream_pri_map[WMM_AC_BK] = 0; /* lowest  */
+	ar->ac_stream_pri_map[WMM_AC_BE] = 1;
+	ar->ac_stream_pri_map[WMM_AC_VI] = 2;
+	ar->ac_stream_pri_map[WMM_AC_VO] = 3; /* highest */
+
+	/* give our connected endpoints some buffers */
+	ath6kl_rx_refill(ar->htc_target, ar->ctrl_ep);
+	ath6kl_rx_refill(ar->htc_target, ar->ac2ep_map[WMM_AC_BE]);
+
+	/* allocate some buffers that handle larger AMSDU frames */
+	ath6kl_refill_amsdu_rxbufs(ar, ATH6KL_MAX_AMSDU_RX_BUFFERS);
+
+	ath6kl_cookie_init(ar);
+
+	ar->conf_flags = ATH6KL_CONF_IGNORE_ERP_BARKER |
+			 ATH6KL_CONF_ENABLE_11N | ATH6KL_CONF_ENABLE_TX_BURST;
+
+	if (suspend_cutpower)
+		ar->conf_flags |= ATH6KL_CONF_SUSPEND_CUTPOWER;
+
+	ar->wiphy->flags |= WIPHY_FLAG_SUPPORTS_FW_ROAM |
+			    WIPHY_FLAG_HAVE_AP_SME |
+			    WIPHY_FLAG_HAS_REMAIN_ON_CHANNEL |
+			    WIPHY_FLAG_AP_PROBE_RESP_OFFLOAD;
+
+	if (test_bit(ATH6KL_FW_CAPABILITY_SCHED_SCAN, ar->fw_capabilities))
+		ar->wiphy->flags |= WIPHY_FLAG_SUPPORTS_SCHED_SCAN;
+
+	ar->wiphy->probe_resp_offload =
+		NL80211_PROBE_RESP_OFFLOAD_SUPPORT_WPS |
+		NL80211_PROBE_RESP_OFFLOAD_SUPPORT_WPS2 |
+		NL80211_PROBE_RESP_OFFLOAD_SUPPORT_P2P |
+		NL80211_PROBE_RESP_OFFLOAD_SUPPORT_80211U;
+
+	set_bit(FIRST_BOOT, &ar->flag);
+
+	ret = ath6kl_init_hw_start(ar);
+	if (ret) {
+		ath6kl_err("Failed to start hardware: %d\n", ret);
+		goto err_rxbuf_cleanup;
+	}
+
+	/*
+	 * Set mac address which is received in ready event
+	 * FIXME: Move to ath6kl_interface_add()
+	 */
+	memcpy(ndev->dev_addr, ar->mac_addr, ETH_ALEN);
+
+	return ret;
+
+err_rxbuf_cleanup:
+	ath6kl_htc_flush_rx_buf(ar->htc_target);
+	ath6kl_cleanup_amsdu_rxbufs(ar);
+	rtnl_lock();
+	ath6kl_cfg80211_vif_cleanup(netdev_priv(ndev));
+	rtnl_unlock();
+	wiphy_unregister(ar->wiphy);
+err_debug_init:
+	ath6kl_debug_cleanup(ar);
+err_node_cleanup:
+	ath6kl_wmi_shutdown(ar->wmi);
+	clear_bit(WMI_ENABLED, &ar->flag);
+	ar->wmi = NULL;
+err_htc_cleanup:
+	ath6kl_htc_cleanup(ar->htc_target);
+err_power_off:
+	ath6kl_hif_power_off(ar);
+err_bmi_cleanup:
+	ath6kl_bmi_cleanup(ar);
+err_wq:
+	destroy_workqueue(ar->ath6kl_wq);
+
+	return ret;
+}
+
+struct ath6kl *ath6kl_core_create(struct device *dev)
+{
+	struct ath6kl *ar;
+	u8 ctr;
+
+	ar = ath6kl_cfg80211_create();
+
+	if (!ar)
+		return NULL;
+
+	ar->p2p = !!ath6kl_p2p;
+	ar->dev = dev;
+
+	ar->vif_max = 1;
+
+	ar->max_norm_iface = 1;
+
+	spin_lock_init(&ar->lock);
+	spin_lock_init(&ar->mcastpsq_lock);
+	spin_lock_init(&ar->list_lock);
+
+	init_waitqueue_head(&ar->event_wq);
+	sema_init(&ar->sem, 1);
+
+	INIT_LIST_HEAD(&ar->amsdu_rx_buffer_queue);
+	INIT_LIST_HEAD(&ar->vif_list);
+
+	clear_bit(WMI_ENABLED, &ar->flag);
+	clear_bit(SKIP_SCAN, &ar->flag);
+	clear_bit(DESTROY_IN_PROGRESS, &ar->flag);
+
+	ar->listen_intvl_t = A_DEFAULT_LISTEN_INTERVAL;
+	ar->listen_intvl_b = 0;
+	ar->tx_pwr = 0;
+
+	ar->intra_bss = 1;
+	ar->lrssi_roam_threshold = DEF_LRSSI_ROAM_THRESHOLD;
+
+	ar->state = ATH6KL_STATE_OFF;
+
+	memset((u8 *)ar->sta_list, 0,
+	       AP_MAX_NUM_STA * sizeof(struct ath6kl_sta));
+
+	/* Init the PS queues */
+	for (ctr = 0; ctr < AP_MAX_NUM_STA; ctr++) {
+		spin_lock_init(&ar->sta_list[ctr].psq_lock);
+		skb_queue_head_init(&ar->sta_list[ctr].psq);
+	}
+
+	skb_queue_head_init(&ar->mcastpsq);
+
+	memcpy(ar->ap_country_code, DEF_AP_COUNTRY_CODE, 3);
+
+	return ar;
+}
+
+void ath6kl_core_cleanup(struct ath6kl *ar)
+{
+	ath6kl_hif_power_off(ar);
+
+	destroy_workqueue(ar->ath6kl_wq);
+
+	if (ar->htc_target)
+		ath6kl_htc_cleanup(ar->htc_target);
+
+	ath6kl_cookie_cleanup(ar);
+
+	ath6kl_cleanup_amsdu_rxbufs(ar);
+
+	ath6kl_bmi_cleanup(ar);
+
+	ath6kl_debug_cleanup(ar);
+
+	kfree(ar->fw_board);
+	kfree(ar->fw_otp);
+	kfree(ar->fw);
+	kfree(ar->fw_patch);
+
+	ath6kl_cfg80211_cleanup(ar);
+	ath6kl_cfg80211_destroy(ar);
+}
+
+void ath6kl_core_destroy(struct ath6kl *ar)
+{
+	ath6kl_cfg80211_destroy(ar);
+}
+
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/core.h b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/core.h
index 93d05c0..5415358 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/core.h
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/core.h
@@ -723,11 +723,18 @@ void ath6kl_wakeup_event(void *dev);
 void ath6kl_reset_device(struct ath6kl *ar, u32 target_type,
 			 bool wait_fot_compltn, bool cold_reset);
 void ath6kl_init_control_info(struct ath6kl_vif *vif);
-void ath6kl_core_free(struct ath6kl *ar);
 struct ath6kl_vif *ath6kl_vif_first(struct ath6kl *ar);
 void ath6kl_cleanup_vif(struct ath6kl_vif *vif, bool wmi_ready);
 int ath6kl_init_hw_start(struct ath6kl *ar);
 int ath6kl_init_hw_stop(struct ath6kl *ar);
+int ath6kl_init_fetch_firmwares(struct ath6kl *ar);
+int ath6kl_init_hw_params(struct ath6kl *ar);
+
 void ath6kl_check_wow_status(struct ath6kl *ar);
 
+struct ath6kl *ath6kl_core_create(struct device *dev);
+int ath6kl_core_init(struct ath6kl *ar);
+void ath6kl_core_cleanup(struct ath6kl *ar);
+void ath6kl_core_destroy(struct ath6kl *ar);
+
 #endif /* CORE_H */
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/init.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/init.c
index 32bd111..5a92307 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/init.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/init.c
@@ -25,13 +25,9 @@
 #include "debug.h"
 #include "hif-ops.h"
 
-unsigned int debug_mask;
 static unsigned int testmode;
-static bool suspend_cutpower;
 
-module_param(debug_mask, uint, 0644);
 module_param(testmode, uint, 0644);
-module_param(suspend_cutpower, bool, 0444);
 
 static const struct ath6kl_hw hw_list[] = {
 	{
@@ -573,36 +569,6 @@ int ath6kl_configure_target(struct ath6kl *ar)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-void ath6kl_core_free(struct ath6kl *ar)
-{
-	wiphy_free(ar->wiphy);
-}
-
-void ath6kl_core_cleanup(struct ath6kl *ar)
-{
-	ath6kl_hif_power_off(ar);
-
-	destroy_workqueue(ar->ath6kl_wq);
-
-	if (ar->htc_target)
-		ath6kl_htc_cleanup(ar->htc_target);
-
-	ath6kl_cookie_cleanup(ar);
-
-	ath6kl_cleanup_amsdu_rxbufs(ar);
-
-	ath6kl_bmi_cleanup(ar);
-
-	ath6kl_debug_cleanup(ar);
-
-	kfree(ar->fw_board);
-	kfree(ar->fw_otp);
-	kfree(ar->fw);
-	kfree(ar->fw_patch);
-
-	ath6kl_cfg80211_cleanup(ar);
-}
-
 /* firmware upload */
 static int ath6kl_get_fw(struct ath6kl *ar, const char *filename,
 			 u8 **fw, size_t *fw_len)
@@ -1010,7 +976,7 @@ out:
 	return ret;
 }
 
-static int ath6kl_fetch_firmwares(struct ath6kl *ar)
+int ath6kl_init_fetch_firmwares(struct ath6kl *ar)
 {
 	int ret;
 
@@ -1372,7 +1338,7 @@ static int ath6kl_init_upload(struct ath6kl *ar)
 	return status;
 }
 
-static int ath6kl_init_hw_params(struct ath6kl *ar)
+int ath6kl_init_hw_params(struct ath6kl *ar)
 {
 	const struct ath6kl_hw *hw;
 	int i;
@@ -1549,173 +1515,6 @@ int ath6kl_init_hw_stop(struct ath6kl *ar)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-int ath6kl_core_init(struct ath6kl *ar)
-{
-	struct ath6kl_bmi_target_info targ_info;
-	struct net_device *ndev;
-	int ret = 0, i;
-
-	ar->ath6kl_wq = create_singlethread_workqueue("ath6kl");
-	if (!ar->ath6kl_wq)
-		return -ENOMEM;
-
-	ret = ath6kl_bmi_init(ar);
-	if (ret)
-		goto err_wq;
-
-	/*
-	 * Turn on power to get hardware (target) version and leave power
-	 * on delibrately as we will boot the hardware anyway within few
-	 * seconds.
-	 */
-	ret = ath6kl_hif_power_on(ar);
-	if (ret)
-		goto err_bmi_cleanup;
-
-	ret = ath6kl_bmi_get_target_info(ar, &targ_info);
-	if (ret)
-		goto err_power_off;
-
-	ar->version.target_ver = le32_to_cpu(targ_info.version);
-	ar->target_type = le32_to_cpu(targ_info.type);
-	ar->wiphy->hw_version = le32_to_cpu(targ_info.version);
-
-	ret = ath6kl_init_hw_params(ar);
-	if (ret)
-		goto err_power_off;
-
-	ar->htc_target = ath6kl_htc_create(ar);
-
-	if (!ar->htc_target) {
-		ret = -ENOMEM;
-		goto err_power_off;
-	}
-
-	ret = ath6kl_fetch_firmwares(ar);
-	if (ret)
-		goto err_htc_cleanup;
-
-	/* FIXME: we should free all firmwares in the error cases below */
-
-	/* Indicate that WMI is enabled (although not ready yet) */
-	set_bit(WMI_ENABLED, &ar->flag);
-	ar->wmi = ath6kl_wmi_init(ar);
-	if (!ar->wmi) {
-		ath6kl_err("failed to initialize wmi\n");
-		ret = -EIO;
-		goto err_htc_cleanup;
-	}
-
-	ath6kl_dbg(ATH6KL_DBG_TRC, "%s: got wmi @ 0x%p.\n", __func__, ar->wmi);
-
-	ret = ath6kl_cfg80211_init(ar);
-	if (ret)
-		goto err_node_cleanup;
-
-	ret = ath6kl_debug_init(ar);
-	if (ret) {
-		wiphy_unregister(ar->wiphy);
-		goto err_node_cleanup;
-	}
-
-	for (i = 0; i < ar->vif_max; i++)
-		ar->avail_idx_map |= BIT(i);
-
-	rtnl_lock();
-
-	/* Add an initial station interface */
-	ndev = ath6kl_interface_add(ar, "wlan%d", NL80211_IFTYPE_STATION, 0,
-				    INFRA_NETWORK);
-
-	rtnl_unlock();
-
-	if (!ndev) {
-		ath6kl_err("Failed to instantiate a network device\n");
-		ret = -ENOMEM;
-		wiphy_unregister(ar->wiphy);
-		goto err_debug_init;
-	}
-
-
-	ath6kl_dbg(ATH6KL_DBG_TRC, "%s: name=%s dev=0x%p, ar=0x%p\n",
-			__func__, ndev->name, ndev, ar);
-
-	/* setup access class priority mappings */
-	ar->ac_stream_pri_map[WMM_AC_BK] = 0; /* lowest  */
-	ar->ac_stream_pri_map[WMM_AC_BE] = 1;
-	ar->ac_stream_pri_map[WMM_AC_VI] = 2;
-	ar->ac_stream_pri_map[WMM_AC_VO] = 3; /* highest */
-
-	/* give our connected endpoints some buffers */
-	ath6kl_rx_refill(ar->htc_target, ar->ctrl_ep);
-	ath6kl_rx_refill(ar->htc_target, ar->ac2ep_map[WMM_AC_BE]);
-
-	/* allocate some buffers that handle larger AMSDU frames */
-	ath6kl_refill_amsdu_rxbufs(ar, ATH6KL_MAX_AMSDU_RX_BUFFERS);
-
-	ath6kl_cookie_init(ar);
-
-	ar->conf_flags = ATH6KL_CONF_IGNORE_ERP_BARKER |
-			 ATH6KL_CONF_ENABLE_11N | ATH6KL_CONF_ENABLE_TX_BURST;
-
-	if (suspend_cutpower)
-		ar->conf_flags |= ATH6KL_CONF_SUSPEND_CUTPOWER;
-
-	ar->wiphy->flags |= WIPHY_FLAG_SUPPORTS_FW_ROAM |
-			    WIPHY_FLAG_HAVE_AP_SME |
-			    WIPHY_FLAG_HAS_REMAIN_ON_CHANNEL |
-			    WIPHY_FLAG_AP_PROBE_RESP_OFFLOAD;
-
-	if (test_bit(ATH6KL_FW_CAPABILITY_SCHED_SCAN, ar->fw_capabilities))
-		ar->wiphy->flags |= WIPHY_FLAG_SUPPORTS_SCHED_SCAN;
-
-	ar->wiphy->probe_resp_offload =
-		NL80211_PROBE_RESP_OFFLOAD_SUPPORT_WPS |
-		NL80211_PROBE_RESP_OFFLOAD_SUPPORT_WPS2 |
-		NL80211_PROBE_RESP_OFFLOAD_SUPPORT_P2P |
-		NL80211_PROBE_RESP_OFFLOAD_SUPPORT_80211U;
-
-	set_bit(FIRST_BOOT, &ar->flag);
-
-	ret = ath6kl_init_hw_start(ar);
-	if (ret) {
-		ath6kl_err("Failed to start hardware: %d\n", ret);
-		goto err_rxbuf_cleanup;
-	}
-
-	/*
-	 * Set mac address which is received in ready event
-	 * FIXME: Move to ath6kl_interface_add()
-	 */
-	memcpy(ndev->dev_addr, ar->mac_addr, ETH_ALEN);
-
-	return ret;
-
-err_rxbuf_cleanup:
-	ath6kl_htc_flush_rx_buf(ar->htc_target);
-	ath6kl_cleanup_amsdu_rxbufs(ar);
-	rtnl_lock();
-	ath6kl_cfg80211_vif_cleanup(netdev_priv(ndev));
-	rtnl_unlock();
-	wiphy_unregister(ar->wiphy);
-err_debug_init:
-	ath6kl_debug_cleanup(ar);
-err_node_cleanup:
-	ath6kl_wmi_shutdown(ar->wmi);
-	clear_bit(WMI_ENABLED, &ar->flag);
-	ar->wmi = NULL;
-err_htc_cleanup:
-	ath6kl_htc_cleanup(ar->htc_target);
-err_power_off:
-	ath6kl_hif_power_off(ar);
-err_bmi_cleanup:
-	ath6kl_bmi_cleanup(ar);
-err_wq:
-	destroy_workqueue(ar->ath6kl_wq);
-
-	return ret;
-}
-
 /* FIXME: move this to cfg80211.c and rename to ath6kl_cfg80211_vif_stop() */
 void ath6kl_cleanup_vif(struct ath6kl_vif *vif, bool wmi_ready)
 {
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/sdio.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/sdio.c
index 15c3f56..08d2db4 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/sdio.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/sdio.c
@@ -1263,7 +1263,7 @@ static int ath6kl_sdio_probe(struct sdio_func *func,
 	for (count = 0; count < BUS_REQUEST_MAX_NUM; count++)
 		ath6kl_sdio_free_bus_req(ar_sdio, &ar_sdio->bus_req[count]);
 
-	ar = ath6kl_core_alloc(&ar_sdio->func->dev);
+	ar = ath6kl_core_create(&ar_sdio->func->dev);
 	if (!ar) {
 		ath6kl_err("Failed to alloc ath6kl core\n");
 		ret = -ENOMEM;
@@ -1293,7 +1293,7 @@ static int ath6kl_sdio_probe(struct sdio_func *func,
 	return ret;
 
 err_core_alloc:
-	ath6kl_core_free(ar_sdio->ar);
+	ath6kl_core_destroy(ar_sdio->ar);
 err_dma:
 	kfree(ar_sdio->dma_buffer);
 err_hif:
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/usb.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/usb.c
index e3cf397..38ac253 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/usb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/usb.c
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ static int ath6kl_usb_probe(struct usb_interface *interface,
 		goto err_usb_put;
 	}
 
-	ar = ath6kl_core_alloc(&ar_usb->udev->dev);
+	ar = ath6kl_core_create(&ar_usb->udev->dev);
 	if (ar == NULL) {
 		ath6kl_err("Failed to alloc ath6kl core\n");
 		ret = -ENOMEM;
@@ -370,13 +370,13 @@ static int ath6kl_usb_probe(struct usb_interface *interface,
 	ret = ath6kl_core_init(ar);
 	if (ret) {
 		ath6kl_err("Failed to init ath6kl core: %d\n", ret);
-		goto err_core_free;
+		goto err_core_destroy;
 	}
 
 	return ret;
 
-err_core_free:
-	ath6kl_core_free(ar);
+err_core_destroy:
+	ath6kl_core_destroy(ar);
 err_usb_destroy:
 	ath6kl_usb_destroy(ar_usb);
 err_usb_put:
