7 files changed, 293 insertions, 524 deletions

diff --git a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsaccess.c b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsaccess.c
index ba8ad569188..48fadade52e 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsaccess.c
+++ b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsaccess.c
@@ -259,10 +259,8 @@ acpi_status acpi_ns_root_initialize(void)
 	/* Save a handle to "_GPE", it is always present */
 
 	if (ACPI_SUCCESS(status)) {
-		status =
-		    acpi_ns_get_node_by_path("\\_GPE", NULL,
-					     ACPI_NS_NO_UPSEARCH,
-					     &acpi_gbl_fadt_gpe_device);
+		status = acpi_ns_get_node(NULL, "\\_GPE", ACPI_NS_NO_UPSEARCH,
+					  &acpi_gbl_fadt_gpe_device);
 	}
 
 	return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
diff --git a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nseval.c b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nseval.c
index 4b054062b46..4b0a4a8c984 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nseval.c
+++ b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nseval.c
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 /*******************************************************************************
  *
- * Module Name: nseval - Object evaluation interfaces -- includes control
- *                       method lookup and execution.
+ * Module Name: nseval - Object evaluation, includes control method execution
  *
  ******************************************************************************/
 
@@ -50,196 +49,14 @@
 #define _COMPONENT          ACPI_NAMESPACE
 ACPI_MODULE_NAME("nseval")
 
-/* Local prototypes */
-static acpi_status
-acpi_ns_execute_control_method(struct acpi_parameter_info *info);
-
-static acpi_status acpi_ns_get_object_value(struct acpi_parameter_info *info);
-
-/*******************************************************************************
- *
- * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_evaluate_relative
- *
- * PARAMETERS:  Pathname        - Name of method to execute, If NULL, the
- *                                handle is the object to execute
- *              Info            - Method info block, contains:
- *                  return_object   - Where to put method's return value (if
- *                                    any).  If NULL, no value is returned.
- *                  Params          - List of parameters to pass to the method,
- *                                    terminated by NULL.  Params itself may be
- *                                    NULL if no parameters are being passed.
- *
- * RETURN:      Status
- *
- * DESCRIPTION: Evaluate the object or find and execute the requested method
- *
- * MUTEX:       Locks Namespace
- *
- ******************************************************************************/
-
-acpi_status
-acpi_ns_evaluate_relative(char *pathname, struct acpi_parameter_info *info)
-{
-	acpi_status status;
-	struct acpi_namespace_node *node = NULL;
-	union acpi_generic_state *scope_info;
-	char *internal_path = NULL;
-
-	ACPI_FUNCTION_TRACE(ns_evaluate_relative);
-
-	/*
-	 * Must have a valid object handle
-	 */
-	if (!info || !info->node) {
-		return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_BAD_PARAMETER);
-	}
-
-	/* Build an internal name string for the method */
-
-	status = acpi_ns_internalize_name(pathname, &internal_path);
-	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-		return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
-	}
-
-	scope_info = acpi_ut_create_generic_state();
-	if (!scope_info) {
-		goto cleanup1;
-	}
-
-	/* Get the prefix handle and Node */
-
-	status = acpi_ut_acquire_mutex(ACPI_MTX_NAMESPACE);
-	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-		goto cleanup;
-	}
-
-	info->node = acpi_ns_map_handle_to_node(info->node);
-	if (!info->node) {
-		(void)acpi_ut_release_mutex(ACPI_MTX_NAMESPACE);
-		status = AE_BAD_PARAMETER;
-		goto cleanup;
-	}
-
-	/* Lookup the name in the namespace */
-
-	scope_info->scope.node = info->node;
-	status = acpi_ns_lookup(scope_info, internal_path, ACPI_TYPE_ANY,
-				ACPI_IMODE_EXECUTE, ACPI_NS_NO_UPSEARCH, NULL,
-				&node);
-
-	(void)acpi_ut_release_mutex(ACPI_MTX_NAMESPACE);
-
-	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-		ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_NAMES, "Object [%s] not found [%s]\n",
-				  pathname, acpi_format_exception(status)));
-		goto cleanup;
-	}
-
-	/*
-	 * Now that we have a handle to the object, we can attempt to evaluate it.
-	 */
-	ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_NAMES, "%s [%p] Value %p\n",
-			  pathname, node, acpi_ns_get_attached_object(node)));
-
-	info->node = node;
-	status = acpi_ns_evaluate_by_handle(info);
-
-	ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_NAMES,
-			  "*** Completed eval of object %s ***\n", pathname));
-
-      cleanup:
-	acpi_ut_delete_generic_state(scope_info);
-
-      cleanup1:
-	ACPI_FREE(internal_path);
-	return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
-}
-
-/*******************************************************************************
- *
- * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_evaluate_by_name
- *
- * PARAMETERS:  Pathname        - Fully qualified pathname to the object
- *              Info                - Method info block, contains:
- *                  return_object   - Where to put method's return value (if
- *                                    any).  If NULL, no value is returned.
- *                  Params          - List of parameters to pass to the method,
- *                                    terminated by NULL.  Params itself may be
- *                                    NULL if no parameters are being passed.
- *
- * RETURN:      Status
- *
- * DESCRIPTION: Evaluate the object or rind and execute the requested method
- *              passing the given parameters
- *
- * MUTEX:       Locks Namespace
- *
- ******************************************************************************/
-
-acpi_status
-acpi_ns_evaluate_by_name(char *pathname, struct acpi_parameter_info *info)
-{
-	acpi_status status;
-	char *internal_path = NULL;
-
-	ACPI_FUNCTION_TRACE(ns_evaluate_by_name);
-
-	/* Build an internal name string for the method */
-
-	status = acpi_ns_internalize_name(pathname, &internal_path);
-	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-		return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
-	}
-
-	status = acpi_ut_acquire_mutex(ACPI_MTX_NAMESPACE);
-	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-		goto cleanup;
-	}
-
-	/* Lookup the name in the namespace */
-
-	status = acpi_ns_lookup(NULL, internal_path, ACPI_TYPE_ANY,
-				ACPI_IMODE_EXECUTE, ACPI_NS_NO_UPSEARCH, NULL,
-				&info->node);
-
-	(void)acpi_ut_release_mutex(ACPI_MTX_NAMESPACE);
-
-	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-		ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_NAMES,
-				  "Object at [%s] was not found, status=%.4X\n",
-				  pathname, status));
-		goto cleanup;
-	}
-
-	/*
-	 * Now that we have a handle to the object, we can attempt to evaluate it.
-	 */
-	ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_NAMES, "%s [%p] Value %p\n",
-			  pathname, info->node,
-			  acpi_ns_get_attached_object(info->node)));
-
-	status = acpi_ns_evaluate_by_handle(info);
-
-	ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_NAMES,
-			  "*** Completed eval of object %s ***\n", pathname));
-
-      cleanup:
-
-	/* Cleanup */
-
-	if (internal_path) {
-		ACPI_FREE(internal_path);
-	}
-
-	return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
-}
-
 /*******************************************************************************
  *
- * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_evaluate_by_handle
+ * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_evaluate
  *
- * PARAMETERS:  Info            - Method info block, contains:
- *                  Node            - Method/Object Node to execute
+ * PARAMETERS:  Info            - Evaluation info block, contains:
+ *                  prefix_node     - Prefix or Method/Object Node to execute
+ *                  Pathname        - Name of method to execute, If NULL, the
+ *                                    Node is the object to execute
  *                  Parameters      - List of parameters to pass to the method,
  *                                    terminated by NULL. Params itself may be
  *                                    NULL if no parameters are being passed.
@@ -248,29 +65,21 @@ acpi_ns_evaluate_by_name(char *pathname, struct acpi_parameter_info *info)
  *                  parameter_type  - Type of Parameter list
  *                  return_object   - Where to put method's return value (if
  *                                    any). If NULL, no value is returned.
+ *                  Flags           - ACPI_IGNORE_RETURN_VALUE to delete return
  *
  * RETURN:      Status
  *
- * DESCRIPTION: Evaluate object or execute the requested method passing the
- *              given parameters
+ * DESCRIPTION: Execute a control method or return the current value of an
+ *              ACPI namespace object.
  *
- * MUTEX:       Locks Namespace
+ * MUTEX:       Locks interpreter
  *
  ******************************************************************************/
-
-acpi_status acpi_ns_evaluate_by_handle(struct acpi_parameter_info *info)
+acpi_status acpi_ns_evaluate(struct acpi_evaluate_info *info)
 {
 	acpi_status status;
 
-	ACPI_FUNCTION_TRACE(ns_evaluate_by_handle);
-
-	/* Check if namespace has been initialized */
-
-	if (!acpi_gbl_root_node) {
-		return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_NO_NAMESPACE);
-	}
-
-	/* Parameter Validation */
+	ACPI_FUNCTION_TRACE(ns_evaluate);
 
 	if (!info) {
 		return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_BAD_PARAMETER);
@@ -280,203 +89,120 @@ acpi_status acpi_ns_evaluate_by_handle(struct acpi_parameter_info *info)
 
 	info->return_object = NULL;
 
-	/* Get the prefix handle and Node */
-
-	status = acpi_ut_acquire_mutex(ACPI_MTX_NAMESPACE);
+	/*
+	 * Get the actual namespace node for the target object. Handles these cases:
+	 *
+	 * 1) Null node, Pathname (absolute path)
+	 * 2) Node, Pathname (path relative to Node)
+	 * 3) Node, Null Pathname
+	 */
+	status = acpi_ns_get_node(info->prefix_node, info->pathname,
+				  ACPI_NS_NO_UPSEARCH, &info->resolved_node);
 	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
 		return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
 	}
 
-	info->node = acpi_ns_map_handle_to_node(info->node);
-	if (!info->node) {
-		(void)acpi_ut_release_mutex(ACPI_MTX_NAMESPACE);
-		return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_BAD_PARAMETER);
-	}
-
 	/*
 	 * For a method alias, we must grab the actual method node so that proper
 	 * scoping context will be established before execution.
 	 */
-	if (acpi_ns_get_type(info->node) == ACPI_TYPE_LOCAL_METHOD_ALIAS) {
-		info->node =
+	if (acpi_ns_get_type(info->resolved_node) ==
+	    ACPI_TYPE_LOCAL_METHOD_ALIAS) {
+		info->resolved_node =
 		    ACPI_CAST_PTR(struct acpi_namespace_node,
-				  info->node->object);
+				  info->resolved_node->object);
 	}
 
+	ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_NAMES, "%s [%p] Value %p\n", info->pathname,
+			  info->resolved_node,
+			  acpi_ns_get_attached_object(info->resolved_node)));
+
 	/*
 	 * Two major cases here:
-	 * 1) The object is an actual control method -- execute it.
-	 * 2) The object is not a method -- just return it's current value
 	 *
-	 * In both cases, the namespace is unlocked by the acpi_ns* procedure
+	 * 1) The object is a control method -- execute it
+	 * 2) The object is not a method -- just return it's current value
 	 */
-	if (acpi_ns_get_type(info->node) == ACPI_TYPE_METHOD) {
+	if (acpi_ns_get_type(info->resolved_node) == ACPI_TYPE_METHOD) {
 		/*
-		 * Case 1) We have an actual control method to execute
+		 * 1) Object is a control method - execute it
 		 */
-		status = acpi_ns_execute_control_method(info);
-	} else {
-		/*
-		 * Case 2) Object is NOT a method, just return its current value
-		 */
-		status = acpi_ns_get_object_value(info);
-	}
-
-	/*
-	 * Check if there is a return value on the stack that must be dealt with
-	 */
-	if (status == AE_CTRL_RETURN_VALUE) {
-
-		/* Map AE_CTRL_RETURN_VALUE to AE_OK, we are done with it */
-
-		status = AE_OK;
-	}
-
-	/*
-	 * Namespace was unlocked by the handling acpi_ns* function, so we
-	 * just return
-	 */
-	return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
-}
-
-/*******************************************************************************
- *
- * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_execute_control_method
- *
- * PARAMETERS:  Info            - Method info block, contains:
- *                  Node            - Method Node to execute
- *                  obj_desc        - Method object
- *                  Parameters      - List of parameters to pass to the method,
- *                                    terminated by NULL. Params itself may be
- *                                    NULL if no parameters are being passed.
- *                  return_object   - Where to put method's return value (if
- *                                    any). If NULL, no value is returned.
- *                  parameter_type  - Type of Parameter list
- *                  return_object   - Where to put method's return value (if
- *                                    any). If NULL, no value is returned.
- *
- * RETURN:      Status
- *
- * DESCRIPTION: Execute the requested method passing the given parameters
- *
- * MUTEX:       Assumes namespace is locked
- *
- ******************************************************************************/
-
-static acpi_status
-acpi_ns_execute_control_method(struct acpi_parameter_info *info)
-{
-	acpi_status status;
-
-	ACPI_FUNCTION_TRACE(ns_execute_control_method);
-
-	/* Verify that there is a method associated with this object */
-
-	info->obj_desc = acpi_ns_get_attached_object(info->node);
-	if (!info->obj_desc) {
-		ACPI_ERROR((AE_INFO, "No attached method object"));
 
-		(void)acpi_ut_release_mutex(ACPI_MTX_NAMESPACE);
-		return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_NULL_OBJECT);
-	}
-
-	ACPI_DUMP_PATHNAME(info->node, "Execute Method:",
-			   ACPI_LV_INFO, _COMPONENT);
-
-	ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_EXEC, "Method at AML address %p Length %X\n",
-			  info->obj_desc->method.aml_start + 1,
-			  info->obj_desc->method.aml_length - 1));
-
-	/*
-	 * Unlock the namespace before execution.  This allows namespace access
-	 * via the external Acpi* interfaces while a method is being executed.
-	 * However, any namespace deletion must acquire both the namespace and
-	 * interpreter locks to ensure that no thread is using the portion of the
-	 * namespace that is being deleted.
-	 */
-	status = acpi_ut_release_mutex(ACPI_MTX_NAMESPACE);
-	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-		return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
-	}
+		/* Verify that there is a method object associated with this node */
 
-	/*
-	 * Execute the method via the interpreter.  The interpreter is locked
-	 * here before calling into the AML parser
-	 */
-	status = acpi_ex_enter_interpreter();
-	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-		return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
-	}
+		info->obj_desc =
+		    acpi_ns_get_attached_object(info->resolved_node);
+		if (!info->obj_desc) {
+			ACPI_ERROR((AE_INFO,
+				    "Control method has no attached sub-object"));
+			return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_NULL_OBJECT);
+		}
 
-	status = acpi_ps_execute_method(info);
-	acpi_ex_exit_interpreter();
+		ACPI_DUMP_PATHNAME(info->resolved_node, "Execute Method:",
+				   ACPI_LV_INFO, _COMPONENT);
 
-	return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
-}
+		ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_EXEC,
+				  "Method at AML address %p Length %X\n",
+				  info->obj_desc->method.aml_start + 1,
+				  info->obj_desc->method.aml_length - 1));
 
-/*******************************************************************************
- *
- * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_get_object_value
- *
- * PARAMETERS:  Info            - Method info block, contains:
- *                  Node            - Object's NS node
- *                  return_object   - Where to put object value (if
- *                                    any). If NULL, no value is returned.
- *
- * RETURN:      Status
- *
- * DESCRIPTION: Return the current value of the object
- *
- * MUTEX:       Assumes namespace is locked, leaves namespace unlocked
- *
- ******************************************************************************/
+		/*
+		 * Any namespace deletion must acquire both the namespace and
+		 * interpreter locks to ensure that no thread is using the portion of
+		 * the namespace that is being deleted.
+		 *
+		 * Execute the method via the interpreter. The interpreter is locked
+		 * here before calling into the AML parser
+		 */
+		status = acpi_ex_enter_interpreter();
+		if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
+			return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
+		}
 
-static acpi_status acpi_ns_get_object_value(struct acpi_parameter_info *info)
-{
-	acpi_status status = AE_OK;
-	struct acpi_namespace_node *resolved_node = info->node;
+		status = acpi_ps_execute_method(info);
+		acpi_ex_exit_interpreter();
+	} else {
+		/*
+		 * 2) Object is not a method, return its current value
+		 */
 
-	ACPI_FUNCTION_TRACE(ns_get_object_value);
+		/*
+		 * Objects require additional resolution steps (e.g., the Node may be
+		 * a field that must be read, etc.) -- we can't just grab the object
+		 * out of the node.
+		 *
+		 * Use resolve_node_to_value() to get the associated value.
+		 *
+		 * NOTE: we can get away with passing in NULL for a walk state because
+		 * resolved_node is guaranteed to not be a reference to either a method
+		 * local or a method argument (because this interface is never called
+		 * from a running method.)
+		 *
+		 * Even though we do not directly invoke the interpreter for object
+		 * resolution, we must lock it because we could access an opregion.
+		 * The opregion access code assumes that the interpreter is locked.
+		 */
+		status = acpi_ex_enter_interpreter();
+		if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
+			return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
+		}
 
-	/*
-	 * Objects require additional resolution steps (e.g., the Node may be a
-	 * field that must be read, etc.) -- we can't just grab the object out of
-	 * the node.
-	 */
+		/* Function has a strange interface */
 
-	/*
-	 * Use resolve_node_to_value() to get the associated value. This call always
-	 * deletes obj_desc (allocated above).
-	 *
-	 * NOTE: we can get away with passing in NULL for a walk state because
-	 * obj_desc is guaranteed to not be a reference to either a method local or
-	 * a method argument (because this interface can only be called from the
-	 * acpi_evaluate external interface, never called from a running method.)
-	 *
-	 * Even though we do not directly invoke the interpreter for this, we must
-	 * enter it because we could access an opregion. The opregion access code
-	 * assumes that the interpreter is locked.
-	 *
-	 * We must release the namespace lock before entering the intepreter.
-	 */
-	status = acpi_ut_release_mutex(ACPI_MTX_NAMESPACE);
-	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-		return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
-	}
+		status =
+		    acpi_ex_resolve_node_to_value(&info->resolved_node, NULL);
+		acpi_ex_exit_interpreter();
 
-	status = acpi_ex_enter_interpreter();
-	if (ACPI_SUCCESS(status)) {
-		status = acpi_ex_resolve_node_to_value(&resolved_node, NULL);
 		/*
 		 * If acpi_ex_resolve_node_to_value() succeeded, the return value was placed
 		 * in resolved_node.
 		 */
-		acpi_ex_exit_interpreter();
-
 		if (ACPI_SUCCESS(status)) {
 			status = AE_CTRL_RETURN_VALUE;
-			info->return_object = ACPI_CAST_PTR
-			    (union acpi_operand_object, resolved_node);
+			info->return_object =
+			    ACPI_CAST_PTR(union acpi_operand_object,
+					  info->resolved_node);
+
 			ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_NAMES,
 					  "Returning object %p [%s]\n",
 					  info->return_object,
@@ -485,7 +211,30 @@ static acpi_status acpi_ns_get_object_value(struct acpi_parameter_info *info)
 		}
 	}
 
-	/* Namespace is unlocked */
+	/*
+	 * Check if there is a return value that must be dealt with
+	 */
+	if (status == AE_CTRL_RETURN_VALUE) {
+
+		/* If caller does not want the return value, delete it */
 
+		if (info->flags & ACPI_IGNORE_RETURN_VALUE) {
+			acpi_ut_remove_reference(info->return_object);
+			info->return_object = NULL;
+		}
+
+		/* Map AE_CTRL_RETURN_VALUE to AE_OK, we are done with it */
+
+		status = AE_OK;
+	}
+
+	ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_NAMES,
+			  "*** Completed evaluation of object %s ***\n",
+			  info->pathname));
+
+	/*
+	 * Namespace was unlocked by the handling acpi_ns* function, so we
+	 * just return
+	 */
 	return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
 }
diff --git a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsinit.c b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsinit.c
index bf1d8dbc0b8..1c9ca6e0531 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsinit.c
+++ b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsinit.c
@@ -154,7 +154,16 @@ acpi_status acpi_ns_initialize_devices(void)
 					ACPI_UINT32_MAX, FALSE,
 					acpi_ns_find_ini_methods, &info, NULL);
 	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-		ACPI_EXCEPTION((AE_INFO, status, "During WalkNamespace"));
+		goto error_exit;
+	}
+
+	/* Allocate the evaluation information block */
+
+	info.evaluate_info =
+	    ACPI_ALLOCATE_ZEROED(sizeof(struct acpi_evaluate_info));
+	if (!info.evaluate_info) {
+		status = AE_NO_MEMORY;
+		goto error_exit;
 	}
 
 	/* Walk namespace to execute all _INIs on present devices */
@@ -162,8 +171,10 @@ acpi_status acpi_ns_initialize_devices(void)
 	status = acpi_ns_walk_namespace(ACPI_TYPE_ANY, ACPI_ROOT_OBJECT,
 					ACPI_UINT32_MAX, FALSE,
 					acpi_ns_init_one_device, &info, NULL);
+
+	ACPI_FREE(info.evaluate_info);
 	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-		ACPI_EXCEPTION((AE_INFO, status, "During WalkNamespace"));
+		goto error_exit;
 	}
 
 	ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT_RAW((ACPI_DB_INIT,
@@ -171,6 +182,10 @@ acpi_status acpi_ns_initialize_devices(void)
 			      info.num_INI, info.num_STA, info.device_count));
 
 	return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
+
+      error_exit:
+	ACPI_EXCEPTION((AE_INFO, status, "During device initialization"));
+	return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
 }
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -398,9 +413,9 @@ static acpi_status
 acpi_ns_init_one_device(acpi_handle obj_handle,
 			u32 nesting_level, void *context, void **return_value)
 {
-	struct acpi_device_walk_info *info =
+	struct acpi_device_walk_info *walk_info =
 	    ACPI_CAST_PTR(struct acpi_device_walk_info, context);
-	struct acpi_parameter_info pinfo;
+	struct acpi_evaluate_info *info = walk_info->evaluate_info;
 	u32 flags;
 	acpi_status status;
 	struct acpi_namespace_node *device_node;
@@ -460,7 +475,7 @@ acpi_ns_init_one_device(acpi_handle obj_handle,
 	 * other words, the device is present, ..., and functioning)"
 	 */
 	if (flags != ACPI_UINT32_MAX) {
-		info->num_STA++;
+		walk_info->num_STA++;
 	}
 
 	/*
@@ -516,20 +531,16 @@ acpi_ns_init_one_device(acpi_handle obj_handle,
 	ACPI_DEBUG_EXEC(acpi_ut_display_init_pathname
 			(ACPI_TYPE_METHOD, device_node, METHOD_NAME__INI));
 
-	pinfo.node = device_node;
-	pinfo.parameters = NULL;
-	pinfo.parameter_type = ACPI_PARAM_ARGS;
+	info->prefix_node = device_node;
+	info->pathname = METHOD_NAME__INI;
+	info->parameters = NULL;
+	info->parameter_type = ACPI_PARAM_ARGS;
+	info->flags = ACPI_IGNORE_RETURN_VALUE;
 
-	status = acpi_ns_evaluate_relative(METHOD_NAME__INI, &pinfo);
+	status = acpi_ns_evaluate(info);
 	if (ACPI_SUCCESS(status)) {
+		walk_info->num_INI++;
 
-		/* Delete any return object (especially if implicit_return is enabled) */
-
-		if (pinfo.return_object) {
-			acpi_ut_remove_reference(pinfo.return_object);
-		}
-
-		info->num_INI++;
 		if ((acpi_dbg_level <= ACPI_LV_ALL_EXCEPTIONS) &&
 		    (!(acpi_dbg_level & ACPI_LV_INFO))) {
 			ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT_RAW((ACPI_DB_INIT, "."));
@@ -540,20 +551,24 @@ acpi_ns_init_one_device(acpi_handle obj_handle,
 
 		/* Ignore error and move on to next device */
 
-		char *scope_name = acpi_ns_get_external_pathname(pinfo.node);
+		char *scope_name =
+		    acpi_ns_get_external_pathname(info->resolved_node);
 
 		ACPI_EXCEPTION((AE_INFO, status, "during %s._INI execution",
 				scope_name));
 		ACPI_FREE(scope_name);
+		status = AE_OK;
 	}
 #endif
 
-	/* If an external initialization handler is present, call it */
-
+	/*
+	 * The _INI method has been run if present; call the Global Initialization
+	 * Handler for this device.
+	 */
 	if (acpi_gbl_init_handler) {
 		status =
-		    acpi_gbl_init_handler(pinfo.node, ACPI_INIT_DEVICE_INI);
+		    acpi_gbl_init_handler(device_node, ACPI_INIT_DEVICE_INI);
 	}
 
-	return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_OK);
+	return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
 }
diff --git a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nssearch.c b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nssearch.c
index d2473476afa..500e2bbcfaf 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nssearch.c
+++ b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nssearch.c
@@ -56,16 +56,16 @@ acpi_ns_search_parent_tree(u32 target_name,
 
 /*******************************************************************************
  *
- * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_search_node
+ * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_search_one_scope
  *
  * PARAMETERS:  target_name     - Ascii ACPI name to search for
- *              Node            - Starting node where search will begin
+ *              parent_node     - Starting node where search will begin
  *              Type            - Object type to match
  *              return_node     - Where the matched Named obj is returned
  *
  * RETURN:      Status
  *
- * DESCRIPTION: Search a single level of the namespace.  Performs a
+ * DESCRIPTION: Search a single level of the namespace. Performs a
  *              simple search of the specified level, and does not add
  *              entries or search parents.
  *
@@ -75,32 +75,37 @@ acpi_ns_search_parent_tree(u32 target_name,
  *
  *      All namespace searching is linear in this implementation, but
  *      could be easily modified to support any improved search
- *      algorithm.  However, the linear search was chosen for simplicity
+ *      algorithm. However, the linear search was chosen for simplicity
  *      and because the trees are small and the other interpreter
  *      execution overhead is relatively high.
  *
+ *      Note: CPU execution analysis has shown that the AML interpreter spends
+ *      a very small percentage of its time searching the namespace. Therefore,
+ *      the linear search seems to be sufficient, as there would seem to be
+ *      little value in improving the search.
+ *
  ******************************************************************************/
 
 acpi_status
-acpi_ns_search_node(u32 target_name,
-		    struct acpi_namespace_node *node,
-		    acpi_object_type type,
-		    struct acpi_namespace_node **return_node)
+acpi_ns_search_one_scope(u32 target_name,
+			 struct acpi_namespace_node *parent_node,
+			 acpi_object_type type,
+			 struct acpi_namespace_node **return_node)
 {
-	struct acpi_namespace_node *next_node;
+	struct acpi_namespace_node *node;
 
-	ACPI_FUNCTION_TRACE(ns_search_node);
+	ACPI_FUNCTION_TRACE(ns_search_one_scope);
 
 #ifdef ACPI_DEBUG_OUTPUT
 	if (ACPI_LV_NAMES & acpi_dbg_level) {
 		char *scope_name;
 
-		scope_name = acpi_ns_get_external_pathname(node);
+		scope_name = acpi_ns_get_external_pathname(parent_node);
 		if (scope_name) {
 			ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_NAMES,
 					  "Searching %s (%p) For [%4.4s] (%s)\n",
-					  scope_name, node, ACPI_CAST_PTR(char,
-									  &target_name),
+					  scope_name, parent_node,
+					  ACPI_CAST_PTR(char, &target_name),
 					  acpi_ut_get_type_name(type)));
 
 			ACPI_FREE(scope_name);
@@ -112,20 +117,20 @@ acpi_ns_search_node(u32 target_name,
 	 * Search for name at this namespace level, which is to say that we
 	 * must search for the name among the children of this object
 	 */
-	next_node = node->child;
-	while (next_node) {
+	node = parent_node->child;
+	while (node) {
 
 		/* Check for match against the name */
 
-		if (next_node->name.integer == target_name) {
+		if (node->name.integer == target_name) {
 
 			/* Resolve a control method alias if any */
 
-			if (acpi_ns_get_type(next_node) ==
+			if (acpi_ns_get_type(node) ==
 			    ACPI_TYPE_LOCAL_METHOD_ALIAS) {
-				next_node =
+				node =
 				    ACPI_CAST_PTR(struct acpi_namespace_node,
-						  next_node->object);
+						  node->object);
 			}
 
 			/* Found matching entry */
@@ -133,12 +138,12 @@ acpi_ns_search_node(u32 target_name,
 			ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_NAMES,
 					  "Name [%4.4s] (%s) %p found in scope [%4.4s] %p\n",
 					  ACPI_CAST_PTR(char, &target_name),
-					  acpi_ut_get_type_name(next_node->
-								type),
-					  next_node,
-					  acpi_ut_get_node_name(node), node));
+					  acpi_ut_get_type_name(node->type),
+					  node,
+					  acpi_ut_get_node_name(parent_node),
+					  parent_node));
 
-			*return_node = next_node;
+			*return_node = node;
 			return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_OK);
 		}
 
@@ -146,7 +151,7 @@ acpi_ns_search_node(u32 target_name,
 		 * The last entry in the list points back to the parent,
 		 * so a flag is used to indicate the end-of-list
 		 */
-		if (next_node->flags & ANOBJ_END_OF_PEER_LIST) {
+		if (node->flags & ANOBJ_END_OF_PEER_LIST) {
 
 			/* Searched entire list, we are done */
 
@@ -155,7 +160,7 @@ acpi_ns_search_node(u32 target_name,
 
 		/* Didn't match name, move on to the next peer object */
 
-		next_node = next_node->peer;
+		node = node->peer;
 	}
 
 	/* Searched entire namespace level, not found */
@@ -164,7 +169,8 @@ acpi_ns_search_node(u32 target_name,
 			  "Name [%4.4s] (%s) not found in search in scope [%4.4s] %p first child %p\n",
 			  ACPI_CAST_PTR(char, &target_name),
 			  acpi_ut_get_type_name(type),
-			  acpi_ut_get_node_name(node), node, node->child));
+			  acpi_ut_get_node_name(parent_node), parent_node,
+			  parent_node->child));
 
 	return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_NOT_FOUND);
 }
@@ -181,14 +187,14 @@ acpi_ns_search_node(u32 target_name,
  * RETURN:      Status
  *
  * DESCRIPTION: Called when a name has not been found in the current namespace
- *              level.  Before adding it or giving up, ACPI scope rules require
+ *              level. Before adding it or giving up, ACPI scope rules require
  *              searching enclosing scopes in cases identified by acpi_ns_local().
  *
  *              "A name is located by finding the matching name in the current
  *              name space, and then in the parent name space. If the parent
  *              name space does not contain the name, the search continues
  *              recursively until either the name is found or the name space
- *              does not have a parent (the root of the name space).  This
+ *              does not have a parent (the root of the name space). This
  *              indicates that the name is not found" (From ACPI Specification,
  *              section 5.3)
  *
@@ -237,11 +243,12 @@ acpi_ns_search_parent_tree(u32 target_name,
 	 */
 	while (parent_node) {
 		/*
-		 * Search parent scope.  Use TYPE_ANY because we don't care about the
+		 * Search parent scope. Use TYPE_ANY because we don't care about the
 		 * object type at this point, we only care about the existence of
-		 * the actual name we are searching for.  Typechecking comes later.
+		 * the actual name we are searching for. Typechecking comes later.
 		 */
-		status = acpi_ns_search_node(target_name, parent_node,
+		status =
+		    acpi_ns_search_one_scope(target_name, parent_node,
 					     ACPI_TYPE_ANY, return_node);
 		if (ACPI_SUCCESS(status)) {
 			return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
@@ -273,7 +280,7 @@ acpi_ns_search_parent_tree(u32 target_name,
  * RETURN:      Status
  *
  * DESCRIPTION: Search for a name segment in a single namespace level,
- *              optionally adding it if it is not found.  If the passed
+ *              optionally adding it if it is not found. If the passed
  *              Type is not Any and the type previously stored in the
  *              entry was Any (i.e. unknown), update the stored type.
  *
@@ -332,7 +339,7 @@ acpi_ns_search_and_enter(u32 target_name,
 	/* Try to find the name in the namespace level specified by the caller */
 
 	*return_node = ACPI_ENTRY_NOT_FOUND;
-	status = acpi_ns_search_node(target_name, node, type, return_node);
+	status = acpi_ns_search_one_scope(target_name, node, type, return_node);
 	if (status != AE_NOT_FOUND) {
 		/*
 		 * If we found it AND the request specifies that a find is an error,
@@ -348,10 +355,10 @@ acpi_ns_search_and_enter(u32 target_name,
 	}
 
 	/*
-	 * The name was not found.  If we are NOT performing the first pass
+	 * The name was not found. If we are NOT performing the first pass
 	 * (name entry) of loading the namespace, search the parent tree (all the
 	 * way to the root if necessary.) We don't want to perform the parent
-	 * search when the namespace is actually being loaded.  We want to perform
+	 * search when the namespace is actually being loaded. We want to perform
 	 * the search when namespace references are being resolved (load pass 2)
 	 * and during the execution phase.
 	 */
@@ -386,6 +393,9 @@ acpi_ns_search_and_enter(u32 target_name,
 		return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_NO_MEMORY);
 	}
 #ifdef ACPI_ASL_COMPILER
+	/*
+	 * Node is an object defined by an External() statement
+	 */
 	if (flags & ACPI_NS_EXTERNAL) {
 		new_node->flags |= ANOBJ_IS_EXTERNAL;
 	}
diff --git a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsutils.c b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsutils.c
index d1d55032b45..aa4e799d9a8 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsutils.c
+++ b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsutils.c
@@ -142,8 +142,9 @@ acpi_ns_report_method_error(char *module_name,
 	acpi_os_printf("ACPI Error (%s-%04d): ", module_name, line_number);
 
 	if (path) {
-		status = acpi_ns_get_node_by_path(path, prefix_node,
-						  ACPI_NS_NO_UPSEARCH, &node);
+		status =
+		    acpi_ns_get_node(prefix_node, path, ACPI_NS_NO_UPSEARCH,
+				     &node);
 		if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
 			acpi_os_printf("[Could not get node by pathname]");
 		}
@@ -685,13 +686,9 @@ struct acpi_namespace_node *acpi_ns_map_handle_to_node(acpi_handle handle)
 	ACPI_FUNCTION_ENTRY();
 
 	/*
-	 * Simple implementation.
+	 * Simple implementation
 	 */
-	if (!handle) {
-		return (NULL);
-	}
-
-	if (handle == ACPI_ROOT_OBJECT) {
+	if ((!handle) || (handle == ACPI_ROOT_OBJECT)) {
 		return (acpi_gbl_root_node);
 	}
 
@@ -701,7 +698,7 @@ struct acpi_namespace_node *acpi_ns_map_handle_to_node(acpi_handle handle)
 		return (NULL);
 	}
 
-	return ((struct acpi_namespace_node *)handle);
+	return (ACPI_CAST_PTR(struct acpi_namespace_node, handle));
 }
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -811,12 +808,12 @@ u32 acpi_ns_opens_scope(acpi_object_type type)
 
 /*******************************************************************************
  *
- * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_get_node_by_path
+ * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_get_node
  *
  * PARAMETERS:  *Pathname   - Name to be found, in external (ASL) format. The
  *                            \ (backslash) and ^ (carat) prefixes, and the
  *                            . (period) to separate segments are supported.
- *              start_node  - Root of subtree to be searched, or NS_ALL for the
+ *              prefix_node  - Root of subtree to be searched, or NS_ALL for the
  *                            root of the name space.  If Name is fully
  *                            qualified (first s8 is '\'), the passed value
  *                            of Scope will not be accessed.
@@ -832,24 +829,29 @@ u32 acpi_ns_opens_scope(acpi_object_type type)
  ******************************************************************************/
 
 acpi_status
-acpi_ns_get_node_by_path(char *pathname,
-			 struct acpi_namespace_node *start_node,
-			 u32 flags, struct acpi_namespace_node **return_node)
+acpi_ns_get_node(struct acpi_namespace_node *prefix_node,
+		 char *pathname,
+		 u32 flags, struct acpi_namespace_node **return_node)
 {
 	union acpi_generic_state scope_info;
 	acpi_status status;
-	char *internal_path = NULL;
+	char *internal_path;
 
-	ACPI_FUNCTION_TRACE_PTR(ns_get_node_by_path, pathname);
+	ACPI_FUNCTION_TRACE_PTR(ns_get_node, pathname);
 
-	if (pathname) {
+	if (!pathname) {
+		*return_node = prefix_node;
+		if (!prefix_node) {
+			*return_node = acpi_gbl_root_node;
+		}
+		return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_OK);
+	}
 
-		/* Convert path to internal representation */
+	/* Convert path to internal representation */
 
-		status = acpi_ns_internalize_name(pathname, &internal_path);
-		if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-			return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
-		}
+	status = acpi_ns_internalize_name(pathname, &internal_path);
+	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
+		return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
 	}
 
 	/* Must lock namespace during lookup */
@@ -861,26 +863,23 @@ acpi_ns_get_node_by_path(char *pathname,
 
 	/* Setup lookup scope (search starting point) */
 
-	scope_info.scope.node = start_node;
+	scope_info.scope.node = prefix_node;
 
 	/* Lookup the name in the namespace */
 
-	status = acpi_ns_lookup(&scope_info, internal_path,
-				ACPI_TYPE_ANY, ACPI_IMODE_EXECUTE,
-				(flags | ACPI_NS_DONT_OPEN_SCOPE),
-				NULL, return_node);
+	status = acpi_ns_lookup(&scope_info, internal_path, ACPI_TYPE_ANY,
+				ACPI_IMODE_EXECUTE,
+				(flags | ACPI_NS_DONT_OPEN_SCOPE), NULL,
+				return_node);
 	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
 		ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_INFO, "%s, %s\n",
-				  internal_path,
-				  acpi_format_exception(status)));
+				  pathname, acpi_format_exception(status)));
 	}
 
 	(void)acpi_ut_release_mutex(ACPI_MTX_NAMESPACE);
 
       cleanup:
-	if (internal_path) {
-		ACPI_FREE(internal_path);
-	}
+	ACPI_FREE(internal_path);
 	return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsxfeval.c b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsxfeval.c
index 998b29611b1..6d9bd45af30 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsxfeval.c
+++ b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsxfeval.c
@@ -171,51 +171,61 @@ acpi_evaluate_object(acpi_handle handle,
 {
 	acpi_status status;
 	acpi_status status2;
-	struct acpi_parameter_info info;
+	struct acpi_evaluate_info *info;
 	acpi_size buffer_space_needed;
 	u32 i;
 
 	ACPI_FUNCTION_TRACE(acpi_evaluate_object);
 
-	info.node = handle;
-	info.parameters = NULL;
-	info.return_object = NULL;
-	info.parameter_type = ACPI_PARAM_ARGS;
+	/* Allocate and initialize the evaluation information block */
+
+	info = ACPI_ALLOCATE_ZEROED(sizeof(struct acpi_evaluate_info));
+	if (!info) {
+		return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_NO_MEMORY);
+	}
+
+	info->pathname = pathname;
+	info->parameter_type = ACPI_PARAM_ARGS;
+
+	/* Convert and validate the device handle */
+
+	info->prefix_node = acpi_ns_map_handle_to_node(handle);
+	if (!info->prefix_node) {
+		status = AE_BAD_PARAMETER;
+		goto cleanup;
+	}
 
 	/*
-	 * If there are parameters to be passed to the object
-	 * (which must be a control method), the external objects
-	 * must be converted to internal objects
+	 * If there are parameters to be passed to a control method, the external
+	 * objects must all be converted to internal objects
 	 */
 	if (external_params && external_params->count) {
 		/*
 		 * Allocate a new parameter block for the internal objects
 		 * Add 1 to count to allow for null terminated internal list
 		 */
-		info.parameters = ACPI_ALLOCATE_ZEROED(((acpi_size)
-							external_params->count +
-							1) * sizeof(void *));
-		if (!info.parameters) {
-			return_ACPI_STATUS(AE_NO_MEMORY);
+		info->parameters = ACPI_ALLOCATE_ZEROED(((acpi_size)
+							 external_params->
+							 count +
+							 1) * sizeof(void *));
+		if (!info->parameters) {
+			status = AE_NO_MEMORY;
+			goto cleanup;
 		}
 
-		/*
-		 * Convert each external object in the list to an
-		 * internal object
-		 */
+		/* Convert each external object in the list to an internal object */
+
 		for (i = 0; i < external_params->count; i++) {
 			status =
 			    acpi_ut_copy_eobject_to_iobject(&external_params->
 							    pointer[i],
-							    &info.
+							    &info->
 							    parameters[i]);
 			if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-				acpi_ut_delete_internal_object_list(info.
-								    parameters);
-				return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
+				goto cleanup;
 			}
 		}
-		info.parameters[external_params->count] = NULL;
+		info->parameters[external_params->count] = NULL;
 	}
 
 	/*
@@ -228,12 +238,13 @@ acpi_evaluate_object(acpi_handle handle,
 
 		/* The path is fully qualified, just evaluate by name */
 
-		status = acpi_ns_evaluate_by_name(pathname, &info);
+		info->prefix_node = NULL;
+		status = acpi_ns_evaluate(info);
 	} else if (!handle) {
 		/*
-		 * A handle is optional iff a fully qualified pathname
-		 * is specified.  Since we've already handled fully
-		 * qualified names above, this is an error
+		 * A handle is optional iff a fully qualified pathname is specified.
+		 * Since we've already handled fully qualified names above, this is
+		 * an error
 		 */
 		if (!pathname) {
 			ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_INFO,
@@ -246,22 +257,9 @@ acpi_evaluate_object(acpi_handle handle,
 
 		status = AE_BAD_PARAMETER;
 	} else {
-		/*
-		 * We get here if we have a handle -- and if we have a
-		 * pathname it is relative.  The handle will be validated
-		 * in the lower procedures
-		 */
-		if (!pathname) {
-			/*
-			 * The null pathname case means the handle is for
-			 * the actual object to be evaluated
-			 */
-			status = acpi_ns_evaluate_by_handle(&info);
-		} else {
-			/* Both a Handle and a relative Pathname */
+		/* We have a namespace a node and a possible relative path */
 
-			status = acpi_ns_evaluate_relative(pathname, &info);
-		}
+		status = acpi_ns_evaluate(info);
 	}
 
 	/*
@@ -269,10 +267,10 @@ acpi_evaluate_object(acpi_handle handle,
 	 * copy the return value to an external object.
 	 */
 	if (return_buffer) {
-		if (!info.return_object) {
+		if (!info->return_object) {
 			return_buffer->length = 0;
 		} else {
-			if (ACPI_GET_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE(info.return_object) ==
+			if (ACPI_GET_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE(info->return_object) ==
 			    ACPI_DESC_TYPE_NAMED) {
 				/*
 				 * If we received a NS Node as a return object, this means that
@@ -283,17 +281,16 @@ acpi_evaluate_object(acpi_handle handle,
 				 * support for various types at a later date if necessary.
 				 */
 				status = AE_TYPE;
-				info.return_object = NULL;	/* No need to delete a NS Node */
+				info->return_object = NULL;	/* No need to delete a NS Node */
 				return_buffer->length = 0;
 			}
 
 			if (ACPI_SUCCESS(status)) {
-				/*
-				 * Find out how large a buffer is needed
-				 * to contain the returned object
-				 */
+
+				/* Get the size of the returned object */
+
 				status =
-				    acpi_ut_get_object_size(info.return_object,
+				    acpi_ut_get_object_size(info->return_object,
 							    &buffer_space_needed);
 				if (ACPI_SUCCESS(status)) {
 
@@ -319,7 +316,7 @@ acpi_evaluate_object(acpi_handle handle,
 
 						status =
 						    acpi_ut_copy_iobject_to_eobject
-						    (info.return_object,
+						    (info->return_object,
 						     return_buffer);
 					}
 				}
@@ -327,31 +324,33 @@ acpi_evaluate_object(acpi_handle handle,
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (info.return_object) {
+	if (info->return_object) {
 		/*
-		 * Delete the internal return object.  NOTE: Interpreter
-		 * must be locked to avoid race condition.
+		 * Delete the internal return object. NOTE: Interpreter must be
+		 * locked to avoid race condition.
 		 */
 		status2 = acpi_ex_enter_interpreter();
 		if (ACPI_SUCCESS(status2)) {
-			/*
-			 * Delete the internal return object. (Or at least
-			 * decrement the reference count by one)
-			 */
-			acpi_ut_remove_reference(info.return_object);
+
+			/* Remove one reference on the return object (should delete it) */
+
+			acpi_ut_remove_reference(info->return_object);
 			acpi_ex_exit_interpreter();
 		}
 	}
 
+      cleanup:
+
 	/* Free the input parameter list (if we created one) */
 
-	if (info.parameters) {
+	if (info->parameters) {
 
 		/* Free the allocated parameter block */
 
-		acpi_ut_delete_internal_object_list(info.parameters);
+		acpi_ut_delete_internal_object_list(info->parameters);
 	}
 
+	ACPI_FREE(info);
 	return_ACPI_STATUS(status);
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsxfname.c b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsxfname.c
index 1303e2b062b..978213a6c19 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsxfname.c
+++ b/drivers/acpi/namespace/nsxfname.c
@@ -112,9 +112,8 @@ acpi_get_handle(acpi_handle parent,
 	/*
 	 *  Find the Node and convert to a handle
 	 */
-	status =
-	    acpi_ns_get_node_by_path(pathname, prefix_node, ACPI_NS_NO_UPSEARCH,
-				     &node);
+	status = acpi_ns_get_node(prefix_node, pathname, ACPI_NS_NO_UPSEARCH,
+				  &node);
 
 	*ret_handle = NULL;
 	if (ACPI_SUCCESS(status)) {