static int zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy(struct zfcp_erp_action *);
 static int zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_generic(struct zfcp_erp_action *, int);
 static int zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_close(struct zfcp_erp_action *);
-static void zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_close_qdio(struct zfcp_erp_action *);
-static void zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_close_fsf(struct zfcp_erp_action *);
 static int zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_open(struct zfcp_erp_action *);
 static int zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_open_qdio(struct zfcp_erp_action *);
 static int zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_open_fsf(struct zfcp_erp_action *);
 static inline void zfcp_erp_action_to_running(struct zfcp_erp_action *);
 
 static void zfcp_erp_memwait_handler(unsigned long);
-static void zfcp_erp_timeout_handler(unsigned long);
-static inline void zfcp_erp_timeout_init(struct zfcp_erp_action *);
 
 /**
- * zfcp_fsf_request_timeout_handler - called if a request timed out
- * @data: pointer to adapter for handler function
- *
- * This function needs to be called if requests (ELS, Generic Service,
- * or SCSI commands) exceed a certain time limit. The assumption is
- * that after the time limit the adapter get stuck. So we trigger a reopen of
- * the adapter. This should not be used for error recovery, SCSI abort
- * commands and SCSI requests from SCSI mid-layer.
+ * zfcp_close_qdio - close qdio queues for an adapter
  */
-void
-zfcp_fsf_request_timeout_handler(unsigned long data)
+static void zfcp_close_qdio(struct zfcp_adapter *adapter)
 {
-       struct zfcp_adapter *adapter;
+       struct zfcp_qdio_queue *req_queue;
+       int first, count;
 
-       adapter = (struct zfcp_adapter *) data;
+       if (!atomic_test_mask(ZFCP_STATUS_ADAPTER_QDIOUP, &adapter->status))
+               return;
 
-       zfcp_erp_adapter_reopen(adapter, 0);
+       /* clear QDIOUP flag, thus do_QDIO is not called during qdio_shutdown */
+       req_queue = &adapter->request_queue;
+       write_lock_irq(&req_queue->queue_lock);
+       atomic_clear_mask(ZFCP_STATUS_ADAPTER_QDIOUP, &adapter->status);
+       write_unlock_irq(&req_queue->queue_lock);
+
+       debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 3, "qdio_down2a");
+       while (qdio_shutdown(adapter->ccw_device,
+                            QDIO_FLAG_CLEANUP_USING_CLEAR) == -EINPROGRESS)
+               msleep(1000);
+       debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 3, "qdio_down2b");
+
+       /* cleanup used outbound sbals */
+       count = atomic_read(&req_queue->free_count);
+       if (count < QDIO_MAX_BUFFERS_PER_Q) {
+               first = (req_queue->free_index+count) % QDIO_MAX_BUFFERS_PER_Q;
+               count = QDIO_MAX_BUFFERS_PER_Q - count;
+               zfcp_qdio_zero_sbals(req_queue->buffer, first, count);
+       }
+       req_queue->free_index = 0;
+       atomic_set(&req_queue->free_count, 0);
+       req_queue->distance_from_int = 0;
+       adapter->response_queue.free_index = 0;
+       atomic_set(&adapter->response_queue.free_count, 0);
 }
 
 /**
- * zfcp_fsf_scsi_er_timeout_handler - timeout handler for scsi eh tasks
+ * zfcp_close_fsf - stop FSF operations for an adapter
  *
- * This function needs to be called whenever a SCSI error recovery
- * action (abort/reset) does not return.  Re-opening the adapter means
- * that the abort/reset command can be returned by zfcp. It won't complete
- * via the adapter anymore (because qdio queues are closed). If ERP is
- * already running on this adapter it will be stopped.
+ * Dismiss and cleanup all pending fsf_reqs (this wakes up all initiators of
+ * requests waiting for completion; especially this returns SCSI commands
+ * with error state).
  */
-void zfcp_fsf_scsi_er_timeout_handler(unsigned long data)
+static void zfcp_close_fsf(struct zfcp_adapter *adapter)
 {
-       struct zfcp_adapter *adapter = (struct zfcp_adapter *) data;
-       unsigned long flags;
-
-       ZFCP_LOG_NORMAL("warning: SCSI error recovery timed out. "
-                       "Restarting all operations on the adapter %s\n",
-                       zfcp_get_busid_by_adapter(adapter));
-       debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 1, "eh_lmem_tout");
+       /* close queues to ensure that buffers are not accessed by adapter */
+       zfcp_close_qdio(adapter);
+       zfcp_fsf_req_dismiss_all(adapter);
+       /* reset FSF request sequence number */
+       adapter->fsf_req_seq_no = 0;
+       /* all ports and units are closed */
+       zfcp_erp_modify_adapter_status(adapter,
+                                      ZFCP_STATUS_COMMON_OPEN, ZFCP_CLEAR);
+}
 
-       write_lock_irqsave(&adapter->erp_lock, flags);
-       if (atomic_test_mask(ZFCP_STATUS_ADAPTER_ERP_PENDING,
-                            &adapter->status)) {
-               zfcp_erp_modify_adapter_status(adapter,
-                      ZFCP_STATUS_COMMON_UNBLOCKED|ZFCP_STATUS_COMMON_OPEN,
-                      ZFCP_CLEAR);
-               zfcp_erp_action_dismiss_adapter(adapter);
-               write_unlock_irqrestore(&adapter->erp_lock, flags);
-               /* dismiss all pending requests including requests for ERP */
-               zfcp_fsf_req_dismiss_all(adapter);
-               adapter->fsf_req_seq_no = 0;
-       } else
-               write_unlock_irqrestore(&adapter->erp_lock, flags);
+/**
+ * zfcp_fsf_request_timeout_handler - called if a request timed out
+ * @data: pointer to adapter for handler function
+ *
+ * This function needs to be called if requests (ELS, Generic Service,
+ * or SCSI commands) exceed a certain time limit. The assumption is
+ * that after the time limit the adapter get stuck. So we trigger a reopen of
+ * the adapter.
+ */
+static void zfcp_fsf_request_timeout_handler(unsigned long data)
+{
+       struct zfcp_adapter *adapter = (struct zfcp_adapter *) data;
        zfcp_erp_adapter_reopen(adapter, 0);
 }
 
+void zfcp_fsf_start_timer(struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req, unsigned long timeout)
+{
+       fsf_req->timer.function = zfcp_fsf_request_timeout_handler;
+       fsf_req->timer.data = (unsigned long) fsf_req->adapter;
+       fsf_req->timer.expires = timeout;
+       add_timer(&fsf_req->timer);
+}
+
 /*
  * function:   
  *
        struct zfcp_ls_adisc *adisc;
        void *address = NULL;
        int retval = 0;
-       struct timer_list *timer;
 
        send_els = kzalloc(sizeof(struct zfcp_send_els), GFP_ATOMIC);
        if (send_els == NULL)
                      (wwn_t) adisc->wwnn, adisc->hard_nport_id,
                      adisc->nport_id);
 
-       timer = kmalloc(sizeof(struct timer_list), GFP_ATOMIC);
-       if (!timer)
-               goto nomem;
-
-       init_timer(timer);
-       timer->function = zfcp_fsf_request_timeout_handler;
-       timer->data = (unsigned long) adapter;
-       timer->expires = ZFCP_FSF_REQUEST_TIMEOUT;
-       send_els->timer = timer;
-
        retval = zfcp_fsf_send_els(send_els);
        if (retval != 0) {
                ZFCP_LOG_NORMAL("error: initiation of Send ELS failed for port "
                                "0x%08x on adapter %s\n", send_els->d_id,
                                zfcp_get_busid_by_adapter(adapter));
-               del_timer(send_els->timer);
                goto freemem;
        }
 
        if (address != NULL)
                __free_pages(send_els->req->page, 0);
        if (send_els != NULL) {
-               kfree(send_els->timer);
                kfree(send_els->req);
                kfree(send_els->resp);
                kfree(send_els);
        struct zfcp_ls_adisc_acc *adisc;
 
        send_els = (struct zfcp_send_els *) data;
-
-       del_timer(send_els->timer);
-
        adapter = send_els->adapter;
        port = send_els->port;
        d_id = send_els->d_id;
  out:
        zfcp_port_put(port);
        __free_pages(send_els->req->page, 0);
-       kfree(send_els->timer);
        kfree(send_els->req);
        kfree(send_els->resp);
        kfree(send_els);
                debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 2, "a_asyh_ex");
                debug_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 2, &erp_action->action,
                            sizeof (int));
-               if (!(set_mask & ZFCP_STATUS_ERP_TIMEDOUT))
-                       del_timer(&erp_action->timer);
                erp_action->status |= set_mask;
                zfcp_erp_action_ready(erp_action);
        } else {
  *             action gets an appropriate flag and will be processed
  *             accordingly
  */
-static void
-zfcp_erp_timeout_handler(unsigned long data)
+void zfcp_erp_timeout_handler(unsigned long data)
 {
        struct zfcp_erp_action *erp_action = (struct zfcp_erp_action *) data;
        struct zfcp_adapter *adapter = erp_action->adapter;
                          &erp_action->adapter->status);
 
  failed_openfcp:
-       zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_close_qdio(erp_action);
-       zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_close_fsf(erp_action);
+       zfcp_close_fsf(erp_action->adapter);
  failed_qdio:
  out:
        return retval;
        return retval;
 }
 
-/**
- * zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_close_qdio - close qdio queues for an adapter
- */
-static void
-zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_close_qdio(struct zfcp_erp_action *erp_action)
-{
-       int first_used;
-       int used_count;
-       struct zfcp_adapter *adapter = erp_action->adapter;
-
-       if (!atomic_test_mask(ZFCP_STATUS_ADAPTER_QDIOUP, &adapter->status)) {
-               ZFCP_LOG_DEBUG("error: attempt to shut down inactive QDIO "
-                              "queues on adapter %s\n",
-                              zfcp_get_busid_by_adapter(adapter));
-               return;
-       }
-
-       /*
-        * Get queue_lock and clear QDIOUP flag. Thus it's guaranteed that
-        * do_QDIO won't be called while qdio_shutdown is in progress.
-        */
-       write_lock_irq(&adapter->request_queue.queue_lock);
-       atomic_clear_mask(ZFCP_STATUS_ADAPTER_QDIOUP, &adapter->status);
-       write_unlock_irq(&adapter->request_queue.queue_lock);
-
-       debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 3, "qdio_down2a");
-       while (qdio_shutdown(adapter->ccw_device,
-                            QDIO_FLAG_CLEANUP_USING_CLEAR) == -EINPROGRESS)
-               msleep(1000);
-       debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 3, "qdio_down2b");
-
-       /*
-        * First we had to stop QDIO operation.
-        * Now it is safe to take the following actions.
-        */
-
-       /* Cleanup only necessary when there are unacknowledged buffers */
-       if (atomic_read(&adapter->request_queue.free_count)
-           < QDIO_MAX_BUFFERS_PER_Q) {
-               first_used = (adapter->request_queue.free_index +
-                             atomic_read(&adapter->request_queue.free_count))
-                       % QDIO_MAX_BUFFERS_PER_Q;
-               used_count = QDIO_MAX_BUFFERS_PER_Q -
-                       atomic_read(&adapter->request_queue.free_count);
-               zfcp_qdio_zero_sbals(adapter->request_queue.buffer,
-                                    first_used, used_count);
-       }
-       adapter->response_queue.free_index = 0;
-       atomic_set(&adapter->response_queue.free_count, 0);
-       adapter->request_queue.free_index = 0;
-       atomic_set(&adapter->request_queue.free_count, 0);
-       adapter->request_queue.distance_from_int = 0;
-}
 
 static int
 zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_open_fsf(struct zfcp_erp_action *erp_action)
                write_lock_irq(&adapter->erp_lock);
                zfcp_erp_action_to_running(erp_action);
                write_unlock_irq(&adapter->erp_lock);
-               zfcp_erp_timeout_init(erp_action);
                if (zfcp_fsf_exchange_config_data(erp_action)) {
                        retval = ZFCP_ERP_FAILED;
                        debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 5, "a_fstx_xf");
        zfcp_erp_action_to_running(erp_action);
        write_unlock_irq(&adapter->erp_lock);
 
-       zfcp_erp_timeout_init(erp_action);
        ret = zfcp_fsf_exchange_port_data(erp_action, adapter, NULL);
        if (ret == -EOPNOTSUPP) {
                debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 3, "a_xport_notsupp");
        return retval;
 }
 
-/**
- * zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_close_fsf - stop FSF operations for an adapter
- */
-static void
-zfcp_erp_adapter_strategy_close_fsf(struct zfcp_erp_action *erp_action)
-{
-       struct zfcp_adapter *adapter = erp_action->adapter;
-
-       /*
-        * wake waiting initiators of requests,
-        * return SCSI commands (with error status),
-        * clean up all requests (synchronously)
-        */
-       zfcp_fsf_req_dismiss_all(adapter);
-       /* reset FSF request sequence number */
-       adapter->fsf_req_seq_no = 0;
-       /* all ports and units are closed */
-       zfcp_erp_modify_adapter_status(adapter,
-                                      ZFCP_STATUS_COMMON_OPEN, ZFCP_CLEAR);
-}
-
 /*
  * function:   
  *
        struct zfcp_adapter *adapter = erp_action->adapter;
        struct zfcp_port *port = erp_action->port;
 
-       zfcp_erp_timeout_init(erp_action);
        retval = zfcp_fsf_close_physical_port(erp_action);
        if (retval == -ENOMEM) {
                debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 5, "o_pfstc_nomem");
        struct zfcp_adapter *adapter = erp_action->adapter;
        struct zfcp_port *port = erp_action->port;
 
-       zfcp_erp_timeout_init(erp_action);
        retval = zfcp_fsf_close_port(erp_action);
        if (retval == -ENOMEM) {
                debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 5, "p_pstc_nomem");
        struct zfcp_adapter *adapter = erp_action->adapter;
        struct zfcp_port *port = erp_action->port;
 
-       zfcp_erp_timeout_init(erp_action);
        retval = zfcp_fsf_open_port(erp_action);
        if (retval == -ENOMEM) {
                debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 5, "p_psto_nomem");
        struct zfcp_adapter *adapter = erp_action->adapter;
        struct zfcp_port *port = erp_action->port;
 
-       zfcp_erp_timeout_init(erp_action);
        retval = zfcp_ns_gid_pn_request(erp_action);
        if (retval == -ENOMEM) {
                debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 5, "p_pstn_nomem");
        struct zfcp_adapter *adapter = erp_action->adapter;
        struct zfcp_unit *unit = erp_action->unit;
 
-       zfcp_erp_timeout_init(erp_action);
        retval = zfcp_fsf_close_unit(erp_action);
        if (retval == -ENOMEM) {
                debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 5, "u_ustc_nomem");
        struct zfcp_adapter *adapter = erp_action->adapter;
        struct zfcp_unit *unit = erp_action->unit;
 
-       zfcp_erp_timeout_init(erp_action);
        retval = zfcp_fsf_open_unit(erp_action);
        if (retval == -ENOMEM) {
                debug_text_event(adapter->erp_dbf, 5, "u_usto_nomem");
        return retval;
 }
 
-static inline void
-zfcp_erp_timeout_init(struct zfcp_erp_action *erp_action)
+void zfcp_erp_start_timer(struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req)
 {
-       init_timer(&erp_action->timer);
-       erp_action->timer.function = zfcp_erp_timeout_handler;
-       erp_action->timer.data = (unsigned long) erp_action;
-       /* jiffies will be added in zfcp_fsf_req_send */
-       erp_action->timer.expires = ZFCP_ERP_FSFREQ_TIMEOUT;
+       BUG_ON(!fsf_req->erp_action);
+       fsf_req->timer.function = zfcp_erp_timeout_handler;
+       fsf_req->timer.data = (unsigned long) fsf_req->erp_action;
+       fsf_req->timer.expires = jiffies + ZFCP_ERP_FSFREQ_TIMEOUT;
+       add_timer(&fsf_req->timer);
 }
 
 /*
 
 static inline int zfcp_use_one_sbal(
        struct scatterlist *, int, struct scatterlist *, int);
 static struct zfcp_fsf_req *zfcp_fsf_req_alloc(mempool_t *, int);
-static int zfcp_fsf_req_send(struct zfcp_fsf_req *, struct timer_list *);
+static int zfcp_fsf_req_send(struct zfcp_fsf_req *);
 static int zfcp_fsf_protstatus_eval(struct zfcp_fsf_req *);
 static int zfcp_fsf_fsfstatus_eval(struct zfcp_fsf_req *);
 static int zfcp_fsf_fsfstatus_qual_eval(struct zfcp_fsf_req *);
                 */
                zfcp_fsf_status_read_handler(fsf_req);
                goto out;
-       } else
+       } else {
+               del_timer(&fsf_req->timer);
                zfcp_fsf_protstatus_eval(fsf_req);
+       }
 
        /*
         * fsf_req may be deleted due to waking up functions, so 
        sbale->addr = (void *) status_buffer;
        sbale->length = sizeof(struct fsf_status_read_buffer);
 
-       /* start QDIO request for this FSF request */
-       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req, NULL);
+       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req);
        if (retval) {
                ZFCP_LOG_DEBUG("error: Could not set-up unsolicited status "
                               "environment.\n");
                           struct zfcp_unit *unit, int req_flags)
 {
        volatile struct qdio_buffer_element *sbale;
-       unsigned long lock_flags;
        struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req = NULL;
+       unsigned long lock_flags;
        int retval = 0;
 
        /* setup new FSF request */
        /* set handle of request which should be aborted */
        fsf_req->qtcb->bottom.support.req_handle = (u64) old_req_id;
 
-       /* start QDIO request for this FSF request */
-
-       zfcp_fsf_start_scsi_er_timer(adapter);
-       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req, NULL);
+       zfcp_fsf_start_timer(fsf_req, ZFCP_SCSI_ER_TIMEOUT);
+       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req);
        if (retval) {
-               del_timer(&adapter->scsi_er_timer);
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Failed to send abort command request "
                              "on adapter %s, port 0x%016Lx, unit 0x%016Lx\n",
                              zfcp_get_busid_by_adapter(adapter),
        unsigned char status_qual =
            new_fsf_req->qtcb->header.fsf_status_qual.word[0];
 
-       del_timer(&new_fsf_req->adapter->scsi_er_timer);
-
        if (new_fsf_req->status & ZFCP_STATUS_FSFREQ_ERROR) {
                /* do not set ZFCP_STATUS_FSFREQ_ABORTSUCCEEDED */
                goto skip_fsfstatus;
                goto failed_req;
        }
 
-        if (erp_action != NULL) {
-                erp_action->fsf_req = fsf_req;
-                fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
-        }
-
        sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(fsf_req, fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
         if (zfcp_use_one_sbal(ct->req, ct->req_count,
                               ct->resp, ct->resp_count)){
 
        zfcp_san_dbf_event_ct_request(fsf_req);
 
-       /* start QDIO request for this FSF request */
-       ret = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req, ct->timer);
+       if (erp_action) {
+               erp_action->fsf_req = fsf_req;
+               fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
+               zfcp_erp_start_timer(fsf_req);
+       } else
+               zfcp_fsf_start_timer(fsf_req, ZFCP_FSF_REQUEST_TIMEOUT);
+
+       ret = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req);
        if (ret) {
                ZFCP_LOG_DEBUG("error: initiation of CT request failed "
                               "(adapter %s, port 0x%016Lx)\n",
 
        zfcp_san_dbf_event_els_request(fsf_req);
 
-       /* start QDIO request for this FSF request */
-       ret = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req, els->timer);
+       zfcp_fsf_start_timer(fsf_req, ZFCP_FSF_REQUEST_TIMEOUT);
+       ret = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req);
        if (ret) {
                ZFCP_LOG_DEBUG("error: initiation of ELS request failed "
                               "(adapter %s, port d_id: 0x%08x)\n",
 zfcp_fsf_exchange_config_data(struct zfcp_erp_action *erp_action)
 {
        volatile struct qdio_buffer_element *sbale;
+       struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req;
        unsigned long lock_flags;
        int retval = 0;
 
                                     FSF_QTCB_EXCHANGE_CONFIG_DATA,
                                     ZFCP_REQ_AUTO_CLEANUP,
                                     erp_action->adapter->pool.fsf_req_erp,
-                                    &lock_flags, &(erp_action->fsf_req));
+                                    &lock_flags, &fsf_req);
        if (retval < 0) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not create exchange configuration "
                              "data request for adapter %s.\n",
                goto out;
        }
 
-       sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(erp_action->fsf_req,
-                                    erp_action->fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
+       sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(fsf_req, fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
         sbale[0].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS0_TYPE_READ;
         sbale[1].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS_LAST_ENTRY;
 
-       erp_action->fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
-       erp_action->fsf_req->qtcb->bottom.config.feature_selection =
+       fsf_req->qtcb->bottom.config.feature_selection =
                        FSF_FEATURE_CFDC |
                        FSF_FEATURE_LUN_SHARING |
                        FSF_FEATURE_NOTIFICATION_LOST |
                        FSF_FEATURE_UPDATE_ALERT;
+       fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
+       erp_action->fsf_req = fsf_req;
 
-       /* start QDIO request for this FSF request */
-       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(erp_action->fsf_req, &erp_action->timer);
+       zfcp_erp_start_timer(fsf_req);
+       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req);
        if (retval) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO
                    ("error: Could not send exchange configuration data "
                     "command on the adapter %s\n",
                     zfcp_get_busid_by_adapter(erp_action->adapter));
-               zfcp_fsf_req_free(erp_action->fsf_req);
+               zfcp_fsf_req_free(fsf_req);
                erp_action->fsf_req = NULL;
                goto out;
        }
                            struct fsf_qtcb_bottom_port *data)
 {
        volatile struct qdio_buffer_element *sbale;
-       int retval = 0;
-       unsigned long lock_flags;
         struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req;
-       struct timer_list *timer;
+       unsigned long lock_flags;
+       int retval = 0;
 
        if (!(adapter->adapter_features & FSF_FEATURE_HBAAPI_MANAGEMENT)) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: exchange port data "
        if (erp_action) {
                erp_action->fsf_req = fsf_req;
                fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
-               timer = &erp_action->timer;
-       } else {
-               timer = kmalloc(sizeof(struct timer_list), GFP_ATOMIC);
-               if (!timer) {
-                       write_unlock_irqrestore(&adapter->request_queue.queue_lock,
-                                               lock_flags);
-                       zfcp_fsf_req_free(fsf_req);
-                       return -ENOMEM;
-               }
-               init_timer(timer);
-               timer->function = zfcp_fsf_request_timeout_handler;
-               timer->data = (unsigned long) adapter;
-               timer->expires = ZFCP_FSF_REQUEST_TIMEOUT;
-       }
+               zfcp_erp_start_timer(fsf_req);
+       } else
+               zfcp_fsf_start_timer(fsf_req, ZFCP_FSF_REQUEST_TIMEOUT);
 
-       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req, timer);
+       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req);
        if (retval) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not send an exchange port data "
                               "command on the adapter %s\n",
                zfcp_fsf_req_free(fsf_req);
                if (erp_action)
                        erp_action->fsf_req = NULL;
-               else
-                       kfree(timer);
                write_unlock_irqrestore(&adapter->request_queue.queue_lock,
                                        lock_flags);
                return retval;
        if (!erp_action) {
                wait_event(fsf_req->completion_wq,
                           fsf_req->status & ZFCP_STATUS_FSFREQ_COMPLETED);
-               del_timer_sync(timer);
                zfcp_fsf_req_free(fsf_req);
-               kfree(timer);
        }
        return retval;
 }
 zfcp_fsf_open_port(struct zfcp_erp_action *erp_action)
 {
        volatile struct qdio_buffer_element *sbale;
+       struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req;
        unsigned long lock_flags;
        int retval = 0;
 
                                     FSF_QTCB_OPEN_PORT_WITH_DID,
                                     ZFCP_WAIT_FOR_SBAL | ZFCP_REQ_AUTO_CLEANUP,
                                     erp_action->adapter->pool.fsf_req_erp,
-                                    &lock_flags, &(erp_action->fsf_req));
+                                    &lock_flags, &fsf_req);
        if (retval < 0) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not create open port request "
                              "for port 0x%016Lx on adapter %s.\n",
                goto out;
        }
 
-       sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(erp_action->fsf_req,
-                                    erp_action->fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
+       sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(fsf_req, fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
         sbale[0].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS0_TYPE_READ;
         sbale[1].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS_LAST_ENTRY;
 
-       erp_action->fsf_req->qtcb->bottom.support.d_id = erp_action->port->d_id;
+       fsf_req->qtcb->bottom.support.d_id = erp_action->port->d_id;
        atomic_set_mask(ZFCP_STATUS_COMMON_OPENING, &erp_action->port->status);
-       erp_action->fsf_req->data = (unsigned long) erp_action->port;
-       erp_action->fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
+       fsf_req->data = (unsigned long) erp_action->port;
+       fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
+       erp_action->fsf_req = fsf_req;
 
-       /* start QDIO request for this FSF request */
-       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(erp_action->fsf_req, &erp_action->timer);
+       zfcp_erp_start_timer(fsf_req);
+       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req);
        if (retval) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not send open port request for "
                              "port 0x%016Lx on adapter %s.\n",
                              erp_action->port->wwpn,
                              zfcp_get_busid_by_adapter(erp_action->adapter));
-               zfcp_fsf_req_free(erp_action->fsf_req);
+               zfcp_fsf_req_free(fsf_req);
                erp_action->fsf_req = NULL;
                goto out;
        }
 zfcp_fsf_close_port(struct zfcp_erp_action *erp_action)
 {
        volatile struct qdio_buffer_element *sbale;
+       struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req;
        unsigned long lock_flags;
        int retval = 0;
 
                                     FSF_QTCB_CLOSE_PORT,
                                     ZFCP_WAIT_FOR_SBAL | ZFCP_REQ_AUTO_CLEANUP,
                                     erp_action->adapter->pool.fsf_req_erp,
-                                    &lock_flags, &(erp_action->fsf_req));
+                                    &lock_flags, &fsf_req);
        if (retval < 0) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not create a close port request "
                              "for port 0x%016Lx on adapter %s.\n",
                goto out;
        }
 
-       sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(erp_action->fsf_req,
-                                    erp_action->fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
+       sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(fsf_req, fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
         sbale[0].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS0_TYPE_READ;
         sbale[1].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS_LAST_ENTRY;
 
        atomic_set_mask(ZFCP_STATUS_COMMON_CLOSING, &erp_action->port->status);
-       erp_action->fsf_req->data = (unsigned long) erp_action->port;
-       erp_action->fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
-       erp_action->fsf_req->qtcb->header.port_handle =
-           erp_action->port->handle;
-
-       /* start QDIO request for this FSF request */
-       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(erp_action->fsf_req, &erp_action->timer);
+       fsf_req->data = (unsigned long) erp_action->port;
+       fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
+       fsf_req->qtcb->header.port_handle = erp_action->port->handle;
+       fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
+       erp_action->fsf_req = fsf_req;
+
+       zfcp_erp_start_timer(fsf_req);
+       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req);
        if (retval) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not send a close port request for "
                              "port 0x%016Lx on adapter %s.\n",
                              erp_action->port->wwpn,
                              zfcp_get_busid_by_adapter(erp_action->adapter));
-               zfcp_fsf_req_free(erp_action->fsf_req);
+               zfcp_fsf_req_free(fsf_req);
                erp_action->fsf_req = NULL;
                goto out;
        }
 int
 zfcp_fsf_close_physical_port(struct zfcp_erp_action *erp_action)
 {
-       int retval = 0;
-       unsigned long lock_flags;
        volatile struct qdio_buffer_element *sbale;
+       struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req;
+       unsigned long lock_flags;
+       int retval = 0;
 
        /* setup new FSF request */
        retval = zfcp_fsf_req_create(erp_action->adapter,
                                     FSF_QTCB_CLOSE_PHYSICAL_PORT,
                                     ZFCP_WAIT_FOR_SBAL | ZFCP_REQ_AUTO_CLEANUP,
                                     erp_action->adapter->pool.fsf_req_erp,
-                                    &lock_flags, &erp_action->fsf_req);
+                                    &lock_flags, &fsf_req);
        if (retval < 0) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not create close physical port "
                              "request (adapter %s, port 0x%016Lx)\n",
                goto out;
        }
 
-       sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(erp_action->fsf_req,
-                                   erp_action->fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
+       sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(fsf_req, fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
        sbale[0].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS0_TYPE_READ;
        sbale[1].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS_LAST_ENTRY;
 
        atomic_set_mask(ZFCP_STATUS_PORT_PHYS_CLOSING,
                        &erp_action->port->status);
        /* save a pointer to this port */
-       erp_action->fsf_req->data = (unsigned long) erp_action->port;
-       /* port to be closed */
-       erp_action->fsf_req->qtcb->header.port_handle =
-           erp_action->port->handle;
-       erp_action->fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
-
-       /* start QDIO request for this FSF request */
-       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(erp_action->fsf_req, &erp_action->timer);
+       fsf_req->data = (unsigned long) erp_action->port;
+       fsf_req->qtcb->header.port_handle = erp_action->port->handle;
+       fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
+       erp_action->fsf_req = fsf_req;
+
+       zfcp_erp_start_timer(fsf_req);
+       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req);
        if (retval) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not send close physical port "
                              "request (adapter %s, port 0x%016Lx)\n",
                              zfcp_get_busid_by_adapter(erp_action->adapter),
                              erp_action->port->wwpn);
-               zfcp_fsf_req_free(erp_action->fsf_req);
+               zfcp_fsf_req_free(fsf_req);
                erp_action->fsf_req = NULL;
                goto out;
        }
 zfcp_fsf_open_unit(struct zfcp_erp_action *erp_action)
 {
        volatile struct qdio_buffer_element *sbale;
+       struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req;
        unsigned long lock_flags;
        int retval = 0;
 
                                     FSF_QTCB_OPEN_LUN,
                                     ZFCP_WAIT_FOR_SBAL | ZFCP_REQ_AUTO_CLEANUP,
                                     erp_action->adapter->pool.fsf_req_erp,
-                                    &lock_flags, &(erp_action->fsf_req));
+                                    &lock_flags, &fsf_req);
        if (retval < 0) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not create open unit request for "
                              "unit 0x%016Lx on port 0x%016Lx on adapter %s.\n",
                goto out;
        }
 
-       sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(erp_action->fsf_req,
-                                    erp_action->fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
+       sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(fsf_req, fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
         sbale[0].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS0_TYPE_READ;
         sbale[1].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS_LAST_ENTRY;
 
-       erp_action->fsf_req->qtcb->header.port_handle =
-               erp_action->port->handle;
-       erp_action->fsf_req->qtcb->bottom.support.fcp_lun =
-               erp_action->unit->fcp_lun;
+       fsf_req->qtcb->header.port_handle = erp_action->port->handle;
+       fsf_req->qtcb->bottom.support.fcp_lun = erp_action->unit->fcp_lun;
        if (!(erp_action->adapter->connection_features & FSF_FEATURE_NPIV_MODE))
-               erp_action->fsf_req->qtcb->bottom.support.option =
+               fsf_req->qtcb->bottom.support.option =
                        FSF_OPEN_LUN_SUPPRESS_BOXING;
        atomic_set_mask(ZFCP_STATUS_COMMON_OPENING, &erp_action->unit->status);
-       erp_action->fsf_req->data = (unsigned long) erp_action->unit;
-       erp_action->fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
+       fsf_req->data = (unsigned long) erp_action->unit;
+       fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
+       erp_action->fsf_req = fsf_req;
 
-       /* start QDIO request for this FSF request */
-       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(erp_action->fsf_req, &erp_action->timer);
+       zfcp_erp_start_timer(fsf_req);
+       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(erp_action->fsf_req);
        if (retval) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not send an open unit request "
                              "on the adapter %s, port 0x%016Lx for "
                              zfcp_get_busid_by_adapter(erp_action->adapter),
                              erp_action->port->wwpn,
                              erp_action->unit->fcp_lun);
-               zfcp_fsf_req_free(erp_action->fsf_req);
+               zfcp_fsf_req_free(fsf_req);
                erp_action->fsf_req = NULL;
                goto out;
        }
 zfcp_fsf_close_unit(struct zfcp_erp_action *erp_action)
 {
        volatile struct qdio_buffer_element *sbale;
+       struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req;
        unsigned long lock_flags;
        int retval = 0;
 
                                     FSF_QTCB_CLOSE_LUN,
                                     ZFCP_WAIT_FOR_SBAL | ZFCP_REQ_AUTO_CLEANUP,
                                     erp_action->adapter->pool.fsf_req_erp,
-                                    &lock_flags, &(erp_action->fsf_req));
+                                    &lock_flags, &fsf_req);
        if (retval < 0) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not create close unit request for "
                              "unit 0x%016Lx on port 0x%016Lx on adapter %s.\n",
                goto out;
        }
 
-       sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(erp_action->fsf_req,
-                                    erp_action->fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
+       sbale = zfcp_qdio_sbale_req(fsf_req, fsf_req->sbal_curr, 0);
         sbale[0].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS0_TYPE_READ;
         sbale[1].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS_LAST_ENTRY;
 
-       erp_action->fsf_req->qtcb->header.port_handle =
-           erp_action->port->handle;
-       erp_action->fsf_req->qtcb->header.lun_handle = erp_action->unit->handle;
+       fsf_req->qtcb->header.port_handle = erp_action->port->handle;
+       fsf_req->qtcb->header.lun_handle = erp_action->unit->handle;
        atomic_set_mask(ZFCP_STATUS_COMMON_CLOSING, &erp_action->unit->status);
-       erp_action->fsf_req->data = (unsigned long) erp_action->unit;
-       erp_action->fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
+       fsf_req->data = (unsigned long) erp_action->unit;
+       fsf_req->erp_action = erp_action;
+       erp_action->fsf_req = fsf_req;
 
-       /* start QDIO request for this FSF request */
-       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(erp_action->fsf_req, &erp_action->timer);
+       zfcp_erp_start_timer(fsf_req);
+       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(erp_action->fsf_req);
        if (retval) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not send a close unit request for "
                              "unit 0x%016Lx on port 0x%016Lx onadapter %s.\n",
                              erp_action->unit->fcp_lun,
                              erp_action->port->wwpn,
                              zfcp_get_busid_by_adapter(erp_action->adapter));
-               zfcp_fsf_req_free(erp_action->fsf_req);
+               zfcp_fsf_req_free(fsf_req);
                erp_action->fsf_req = NULL;
                goto out;
        }
 zfcp_fsf_send_fcp_command_task(struct zfcp_adapter *adapter,
                               struct zfcp_unit *unit,
                               struct scsi_cmnd * scsi_cmnd,
-                              struct timer_list *timer, int req_flags)
+                              int use_timer, int req_flags)
 {
        struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req = NULL;
        struct fcp_cmnd_iu *fcp_cmnd_iu;
        ZFCP_HEX_DUMP(ZFCP_LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG,
                      (char *) scsi_cmnd->cmnd, scsi_cmnd->cmd_len);
 
-       /*
-        * start QDIO request for this FSF request
-        *  covered by an SBALE)
-        */
-       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req, timer);
+       if (use_timer)
+               zfcp_fsf_start_timer(fsf_req, ZFCP_FSF_REQUEST_TIMEOUT);
+
+       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req);
        if (unlikely(retval < 0)) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not send FCP command request "
                              "on adapter %s, port 0x%016Lx, unit 0x%016Lx\n",
        fcp_cmnd_iu->fcp_lun = unit->fcp_lun;
        fcp_cmnd_iu->task_management_flags = tm_flags;
 
-       /* start QDIO request for this FSF request */
-       zfcp_fsf_start_scsi_er_timer(adapter);
-       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req, NULL);
+       zfcp_fsf_start_timer(fsf_req, ZFCP_SCSI_ER_TIMEOUT);
+       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req);
        if (retval) {
-               del_timer(&adapter->scsi_er_timer);
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("error: Could not send an FCP-command (task "
                              "management) on adapter %s, port 0x%016Lx for "
                              "unit LUN 0x%016Lx\n",
        char *fcp_rsp_info = zfcp_get_fcp_rsp_info_ptr(fcp_rsp_iu);
        struct zfcp_unit *unit = (struct zfcp_unit *) fsf_req->data;
 
-       del_timer(&fsf_req->adapter->scsi_er_timer);
        if (fsf_req->status & ZFCP_STATUS_FSFREQ_ERROR) {
                fsf_req->status |= ZFCP_STATUS_FSFREQ_TMFUNCFAILED;
                goto skip_fsfstatus;
        struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req;
        struct fsf_qtcb_bottom_support *bottom;
        volatile struct qdio_buffer_element *sbale;
-       struct timer_list *timer;
        unsigned long lock_flags;
        int req_flags = 0;
        int direction;
                goto out;
        }
 
-       timer = kmalloc(sizeof(struct timer_list), GFP_KERNEL);
-       if (!timer) {
-               retval = -ENOMEM;
-               goto out;
-       }
-
        retval = zfcp_fsf_req_create(adapter, fsf_command, req_flags,
                                     NULL, &lock_flags, &fsf_req);
        if (retval < 0) {
        } else
                sbale[1].flags |= SBAL_FLAGS_LAST_ENTRY;
 
-       init_timer(timer);
-       timer->function = zfcp_fsf_request_timeout_handler;
-       timer->data = (unsigned long) adapter;
-       timer->expires = ZFCP_FSF_REQUEST_TIMEOUT;
-
-       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req, timer);
+       zfcp_fsf_start_timer(fsf_req, ZFCP_FSF_REQUEST_TIMEOUT);
+       retval = zfcp_fsf_req_send(fsf_req);
        if (retval < 0) {
                ZFCP_LOG_INFO("initiation of cfdc up/download failed"
                              "(adapter %s)\n",
                   fsf_req->status & ZFCP_STATUS_FSFREQ_COMPLETED);
 
        *fsf_req_ptr = fsf_req;
-       del_timer_sync(timer);
-       goto free_timer;
+       goto out;
 
  free_fsf_req:
        zfcp_fsf_req_free(fsf_req);
  unlock_queue_lock:
        write_unlock_irqrestore(&adapter->request_queue.queue_lock, lock_flags);
- free_timer:
-       kfree(timer);
  out:
        return retval;
 }
                adapter->req_no++;
        fsf_req->req_id = adapter->req_no++;
 
-        zfcp_fsf_req_qtcb_init(fsf_req);
+       init_timer(&fsf_req->timer);
+       zfcp_fsf_req_qtcb_init(fsf_req);
 
        /* initialize waitqueue which may be used to wait on 
           this request completion */
  * returns:    0 - request transfer succesfully started
  *             !0 - start of request transfer failed
  */
-static int
-zfcp_fsf_req_send(struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req, struct timer_list *timer)
+static int zfcp_fsf_req_send(struct zfcp_fsf_req *fsf_req)
 {
        struct zfcp_adapter *adapter;
        struct zfcp_qdio_queue *req_queue;
 
        inc_seq_no = (fsf_req->qtcb != NULL);
 
-       /* figure out expiration time of timeout and start timeout */
-       if (unlikely(timer)) {
-               timer->expires += jiffies;
-               add_timer(timer);
-       }
-
        ZFCP_LOG_TRACE("request queue of adapter %s: "
                       "next free SBAL is %i, %i free SBALs\n",
                       zfcp_get_busid_by_adapter(adapter),
        if (unlikely(retval)) {
                /* Queues are down..... */
                retval = -EIO;
-               /*
-                * FIXME(potential race):
-                * timer might be expired (absolutely unlikely)
-                */
-               if (timer)
-                       del_timer(timer);
+               del_timer(&fsf_req->timer);
                spin_lock(&adapter->req_list_lock);
                zfcp_reqlist_remove(adapter, fsf_req->req_id);
                spin_unlock(&adapter->req_list_lock);