diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_chip.c b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_chip.c
index 5b624bf..c39f198 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_chip.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_chip.c
@@ -49,8 +49,9 @@
 	ZD_MEMCLEAR(chip, sizeof(*chip));
 }
 
-static int scnprint_mac_oui(const u8 *addr, char *buffer, size_t size)
+static int scnprint_mac_oui(struct zd_chip *chip, char *buffer, size_t size)
 {
+	u8 *addr = zd_usb_to_netdev(&chip->usb)->dev_addr;
 	return scnprintf(buffer, size, "%02x-%02x-%02x",
 		         addr[0], addr[1], addr[2]);
 }
@@ -61,10 +62,10 @@
 	int i = 0;
 
 	i = scnprintf(buffer, size, "zd1211%s chip ",
-		      chip->is_zd1211b ? "b" : "");
+		      zd_chip_is_zd1211b(chip) ? "b" : "");
 	i += zd_usb_scnprint_id(&chip->usb, buffer+i, size-i);
 	i += scnprintf(buffer+i, size-i, " ");
-	i += scnprint_mac_oui(chip->e2p_mac, buffer+i, size-i);
+	i += scnprint_mac_oui(chip, buffer+i, size-i);
 	i += scnprintf(buffer+i, size-i, " ");
 	i += zd_rf_scnprint_id(&chip->rf, buffer+i, size-i);
 	i += scnprintf(buffer+i, size-i, " pa%1x %c%c%c%c%c", chip->pa_type,
@@ -366,64 +367,9 @@
 	return r;
 }
 
-static int _read_mac_addr(struct zd_chip *chip, u8 *mac_addr,
-	                  const zd_addr_t *addr)
-{
-	int r;
-	u32 parts[2];
-
-	r = zd_ioread32v_locked(chip, parts, (const zd_addr_t *)addr, 2);
-	if (r) {
-		dev_dbg_f(zd_chip_dev(chip),
-			"error: couldn't read e2p macs. Error number %d\n", r);
-		return r;
-	}
-
-	mac_addr[0] = parts[0];
-	mac_addr[1] = parts[0] >>  8;
-	mac_addr[2] = parts[0] >> 16;
-	mac_addr[3] = parts[0] >> 24;
-	mac_addr[4] = parts[1];
-	mac_addr[5] = parts[1] >>  8;
-
-	return 0;
-}
-
-static int read_e2p_mac_addr(struct zd_chip *chip)
-{
-	static const zd_addr_t addr[2] = { E2P_MAC_ADDR_P1, E2P_MAC_ADDR_P2 };
-
-	ZD_ASSERT(mutex_is_locked(&chip->mutex));
-	return _read_mac_addr(chip, chip->e2p_mac, (const zd_addr_t *)addr);
-}
-
 /* MAC address: if custom mac addresses are to to be used CR_MAC_ADDR_P1 and
  *              CR_MAC_ADDR_P2 must be overwritten
  */
-void zd_get_e2p_mac_addr(struct zd_chip *chip, u8 *mac_addr)
-{
-	mutex_lock(&chip->mutex);
-	memcpy(mac_addr, chip->e2p_mac, ETH_ALEN);
-	mutex_unlock(&chip->mutex);
-}
-
-static int read_mac_addr(struct zd_chip *chip, u8 *mac_addr)
-{
-	static const zd_addr_t addr[2] = { CR_MAC_ADDR_P1, CR_MAC_ADDR_P2 };
-	return _read_mac_addr(chip, mac_addr, (const zd_addr_t *)addr);
-}
-
-int zd_read_mac_addr(struct zd_chip *chip, u8 *mac_addr)
-{
-	int r;
-
-	dev_dbg_f(zd_chip_dev(chip), "\n");
-	mutex_lock(&chip->mutex);
-	r = read_mac_addr(chip, mac_addr);
-	mutex_unlock(&chip->mutex);
-	return r;
-}
-
 int zd_write_mac_addr(struct zd_chip *chip, const u8 *mac_addr)
 {
 	int r;
@@ -444,12 +390,6 @@
 
 	mutex_lock(&chip->mutex);
 	r = zd_iowrite32a_locked(chip, reqs, ARRAY_SIZE(reqs));
-#ifdef DEBUG
-	{
-		u8 tmp[ETH_ALEN];
-		read_mac_addr(chip, tmp);
-	}
-#endif /* DEBUG */
 	mutex_unlock(&chip->mutex);
 	return r;
 }
@@ -809,7 +749,7 @@
 
 static int hw_reset_phy(struct zd_chip *chip)
 {
-	return chip->is_zd1211b ? zd1211b_hw_reset_phy(chip) :
+	return zd_chip_is_zd1211b(chip) ? zd1211b_hw_reset_phy(chip) :
 		                  zd1211_hw_reset_phy(chip);
 }
 
@@ -874,7 +814,7 @@
 	if (r)
 		return r;
 
-	return chip->is_zd1211b ?
+	return zd_chip_is_zd1211b(chip) ?
 		zd1211b_hw_init_hmac(chip) : zd1211_hw_init_hmac(chip);
 }
 
@@ -1136,8 +1076,15 @@
 	return 0;
 }
 
+/* Read mac address using pre-firmware interface */
+int zd_chip_read_mac_addr_fw(struct zd_chip *chip, u8 *addr)
+{
+	dev_dbg_f(zd_chip_dev(chip), "\n");
+	return zd_usb_read_fw(&chip->usb, E2P_MAC_ADDR_P1, addr,
+		ETH_ALEN);
+}
 
-int zd_chip_init_hw(struct zd_chip *chip, u8 device_type)
+int zd_chip_init_hw(struct zd_chip *chip)
 {
 	int r;
 	u8 rf_type;
@@ -1145,7 +1092,6 @@
 	dev_dbg_f(zd_chip_dev(chip), "\n");
 
 	mutex_lock(&chip->mutex);
-	chip->is_zd1211b = (device_type == DEVICE_ZD1211B) != 0;
 
 #ifdef DEBUG
 	r = test_init(chip);
@@ -1201,10 +1147,6 @@
 		goto out;
 #endif /* DEBUG */
 
-	r = read_e2p_mac_addr(chip);
-	if (r)
-		goto out;
-
 	r = read_cal_int_tables(chip);
 	if (r)
 		goto out;
@@ -1259,7 +1201,7 @@
 	r = update_pwr_int(chip, channel);
 	if (r)
 		return r;
-	if (chip->is_zd1211b) {
+	if (zd_chip_is_zd1211b(chip)) {
 		static const struct zd_ioreq16 ioreqs[] = {
 			{ CR69, 0x28 },
 			{},
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_chip.h b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_chip.h
index 79d0288..f469857 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_chip.h
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_chip.h
@@ -704,7 +704,6 @@
 	struct mutex mutex;
 	/* Base address of FW_REG_ registers */
 	zd_addr_t fw_regs_base;
-	u8 e2p_mac[ETH_ALEN];
 	/* EepSetPoint in the vendor driver */
 	u8 pwr_cal_values[E2P_CHANNEL_COUNT];
 	/* integration values in the vendor driver */
@@ -715,7 +714,7 @@
 	unsigned int pa_type:4,
 		patch_cck_gain:1, patch_cr157:1, patch_6m_band_edge:1,
 		new_phy_layout:1, al2230s_bit:1,
-		is_zd1211b:1, supports_tx_led:1;
+		supports_tx_led:1;
 };
 
 static inline struct zd_chip *zd_usb_to_chip(struct zd_usb *usb)
@@ -734,9 +733,15 @@
 	         struct net_device *netdev,
 	         struct usb_interface *intf);
 void zd_chip_clear(struct zd_chip *chip);
-int zd_chip_init_hw(struct zd_chip *chip, u8 device_type);
+int zd_chip_read_mac_addr_fw(struct zd_chip *chip, u8 *addr);
+int zd_chip_init_hw(struct zd_chip *chip);
 int zd_chip_reset(struct zd_chip *chip);
 
+static inline int zd_chip_is_zd1211b(struct zd_chip *chip)
+{
+	return chip->usb.is_zd1211b;
+}
+
 static inline int zd_ioread16v_locked(struct zd_chip *chip, u16 *values,
 	                              const zd_addr_t *addresses,
 				      unsigned int count)
@@ -825,8 +830,6 @@
 }
 u8  zd_chip_get_channel(struct zd_chip *chip);
 int zd_read_regdomain(struct zd_chip *chip, u8 *regdomain);
-void zd_get_e2p_mac_addr(struct zd_chip *chip, u8 *mac_addr);
-int zd_read_mac_addr(struct zd_chip *chip, u8 *mac_addr);
 int zd_write_mac_addr(struct zd_chip *chip, const u8 *mac_addr);
 int zd_chip_switch_radio_on(struct zd_chip *chip);
 int zd_chip_switch_radio_off(struct zd_chip *chip);
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_mac.c b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_mac.c
index 522de3f..f6c487a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_mac.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_mac.c
@@ -86,28 +86,33 @@
 	return r;
 }
 
-int zd_mac_init_hw(struct zd_mac *mac, u8 device_type)
+int zd_mac_preinit_hw(struct zd_mac *mac)
+{
+	int r;
+	u8 addr[ETH_ALEN];
+
+	r = zd_chip_read_mac_addr_fw(&mac->chip, addr);
+	if (r)
+		return r;
+
+	memcpy(mac->netdev->dev_addr, addr, ETH_ALEN);
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int zd_mac_init_hw(struct zd_mac *mac)
 {
 	int r;
 	struct zd_chip *chip = &mac->chip;
-	u8 addr[ETH_ALEN];
 	u8 default_regdomain;
 
 	r = zd_chip_enable_int(chip);
 	if (r)
 		goto out;
-	r = zd_chip_init_hw(chip, device_type);
+	r = zd_chip_init_hw(chip);
 	if (r)
 		goto disable_int;
 
-	zd_get_e2p_mac_addr(chip, addr);
-	r = zd_write_mac_addr(chip, addr);
-	if (r)
-		goto disable_int;
 	ZD_ASSERT(!irqs_disabled());
-	spin_lock_irq(&mac->lock);
-	memcpy(mac->netdev->dev_addr, addr, ETH_ALEN);
-	spin_unlock_irq(&mac->lock);
 
 	r = zd_read_regdomain(chip, &default_regdomain);
 	if (r)
@@ -167,14 +172,25 @@
 {
 	struct zd_mac *mac = zd_netdev_mac(netdev);
 	struct zd_chip *chip = &mac->chip;
+	struct zd_usb *usb = &chip->usb;
 	int r;
 
+	if (!usb->initialized) {
+		r = zd_usb_init_hw(usb);
+		if (r)
+			goto out;
+	}
+
 	tasklet_enable(&mac->rx_tasklet);
 
 	r = zd_chip_enable_int(chip);
 	if (r < 0)
 		goto out;
 
+	r = zd_write_mac_addr(chip, netdev->dev_addr);
+	if (r)
+		goto disable_int;
+
 	r = zd_chip_set_basic_rates(chip, CR_RATES_80211B | CR_RATES_80211G);
 	if (r < 0)
 		goto disable_int;
@@ -254,9 +270,11 @@
 	dev_dbg_f(zd_mac_dev(mac),
 		  "Setting MAC to " MAC_FMT "\n", MAC_ARG(addr->sa_data));
 
-	r = zd_write_mac_addr(chip, addr->sa_data);
-	if (r)
-		return r;
+	if (netdev->flags & IFF_UP) {
+		r = zd_write_mac_addr(chip, addr->sa_data);
+		if (r)
+			return r;
+	}
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&mac->lock, flags);
 	memcpy(netdev->dev_addr, addr->sa_data, ETH_ALEN);
@@ -858,7 +876,7 @@
 	/* ZD1211B: Computing the length difference this way, gives us
 	 * flexibility to compute the packet length.
 	 */
-	cs->packet_length = cpu_to_le16(mac->chip.is_zd1211b ?
+	cs->packet_length = cpu_to_le16(zd_chip_is_zd1211b(&mac->chip) ?
 			packet_length - frag_len : packet_length);
 
 	/*
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_mac.h b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_mac.h
index faf4c78..9f9344e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_mac.h
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_mac.h
@@ -189,7 +189,8 @@
 		struct usb_interface *intf);
 void zd_mac_clear(struct zd_mac *mac);
 
-int zd_mac_init_hw(struct zd_mac *mac, u8 device_type);
+int zd_mac_preinit_hw(struct zd_mac *mac);
+int zd_mac_init_hw(struct zd_mac *mac);
 
 int zd_mac_open(struct net_device *netdev);
 int zd_mac_stop(struct net_device *netdev);
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_al2230.c b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_al2230.c
index be9259e..006774d 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_al2230.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_al2230.c
@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@
 	struct zd_chip *chip = zd_rf_to_chip(rf);
 
 	rf->switch_radio_off = al2230_switch_radio_off;
-	if (chip->is_zd1211b) {
+	if (zd_chip_is_zd1211b(chip)) {
 		rf->init_hw = zd1211b_al2230_init_hw;
 		rf->set_channel = zd1211b_al2230_set_channel;
 		rf->switch_radio_on = zd1211b_al2230_switch_radio_on;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_al7230b.c b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_al7230b.c
index f4e8b6a..73d0bb2 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_al7230b.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_al7230b.c
@@ -473,7 +473,7 @@
 {
 	struct zd_chip *chip = zd_rf_to_chip(rf);
 
-	if (chip->is_zd1211b) {
+	if (zd_chip_is_zd1211b(chip)) {
 		rf->init_hw = zd1211b_al7230b_init_hw;
 		rf->switch_radio_on = zd1211b_al7230b_switch_radio_on;
 		rf->set_channel = zd1211b_al7230b_set_channel;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_rf2959.c b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_rf2959.c
index 2d736bd..cc70d40 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_rf2959.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_rf2959.c
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@
 {
 	struct zd_chip *chip = zd_rf_to_chip(rf);
 
-	if (chip->is_zd1211b) {
+	if (zd_chip_is_zd1211b(chip)) {
 		dev_err(zd_chip_dev(chip),
 		       "RF2959 is currently not supported for ZD1211B"
 		       " devices\n");
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_uw2453.c b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_uw2453.c
index 414e40d..857dcf3 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_uw2453.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_rf_uw2453.c
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@
 	if (r)
 		return r;
 
-	if (chip->is_zd1211b)
+	if (zd_chip_is_zd1211b(chip))
 		ioreqs[1].value = 0x7f;
 
 	return zd_iowrite16a_locked(chip, ioreqs, ARRAY_SIZE(ioreqs));
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_usb.c b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_usb.c
index 180dbcb..a1a5474 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_usb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_usb.c
@@ -196,26 +196,27 @@
 	return le16_to_cpu(p[offset]);
 }
 
-static char *get_fw_name(char *buffer, size_t size, u8 device_type,
+static char *get_fw_name(struct zd_usb *usb, char *buffer, size_t size,
 	               const char* postfix)
 {
 	scnprintf(buffer, size, "%s%s",
-		device_type == DEVICE_ZD1211B ?
+		usb->is_zd1211b ?
 			FW_ZD1211B_PREFIX : FW_ZD1211_PREFIX,
 		postfix);
 	return buffer;
 }
 
-static int handle_version_mismatch(struct usb_device *udev, u8 device_type,
+static int handle_version_mismatch(struct zd_usb *usb,
 	const struct firmware *ub_fw)
 {
+	struct usb_device *udev = zd_usb_to_usbdev(usb);
 	const struct firmware *ur_fw = NULL;
 	int offset;
 	int r = 0;
 	char fw_name[128];
 
 	r = request_fw_file(&ur_fw,
-		get_fw_name(fw_name, sizeof(fw_name), device_type, "ur"),
+		get_fw_name(usb, fw_name, sizeof(fw_name), "ur"),
 		&udev->dev);
 	if (r)
 		goto error;
@@ -238,11 +239,12 @@
 	return r;
 }
 
-static int upload_firmware(struct usb_device *udev, u8 device_type)
+static int upload_firmware(struct zd_usb *usb)
 {
 	int r;
 	u16 fw_bcdDevice;
 	u16 bcdDevice;
+	struct usb_device *udev = zd_usb_to_usbdev(usb);
 	const struct firmware *ub_fw = NULL;
 	const struct firmware *uph_fw = NULL;
 	char fw_name[128];
@@ -250,7 +252,7 @@
 	bcdDevice = get_bcdDevice(udev);
 
 	r = request_fw_file(&ub_fw,
-		get_fw_name(fw_name, sizeof(fw_name), device_type,  "ub"),
+		get_fw_name(usb, fw_name, sizeof(fw_name), "ub"),
 		&udev->dev);
 	if (r)
 		goto error;
@@ -265,7 +267,7 @@
 			dev_warn(&udev->dev, "device has old bootcode, please "
 				"report success or failure\n");
 
-		r = handle_version_mismatch(udev, device_type, ub_fw);
+		r = handle_version_mismatch(usb, ub_fw);
 		if (r)
 			goto error;
 	} else {
@@ -276,7 +278,7 @@
 
 
 	r = request_fw_file(&uph_fw,
-		get_fw_name(fw_name, sizeof(fw_name), device_type, "uphr"),
+		get_fw_name(usb, fw_name, sizeof(fw_name), "uphr"),
 		&udev->dev);
 	if (r)
 		goto error;
@@ -295,6 +297,30 @@
 	return r;
 }
 
+/* Read data from device address space using "firmware interface" which does
+ * not require firmware to be loaded. */
+int zd_usb_read_fw(struct zd_usb *usb, zd_addr_t addr, u8 *data, u16 len)
+{
+	int r;
+	struct usb_device *udev = zd_usb_to_usbdev(usb);
+
+	r = usb_control_msg(udev, usb_rcvctrlpipe(udev, 0),
+		USB_REQ_FIRMWARE_READ_DATA, USB_DIR_IN | 0x40, addr, 0,
+		data, len, 5000);
+	if (r < 0) {
+		dev_err(&udev->dev,
+			"read over firmware interface failed: %d\n", r);
+		return r;
+	} else if (r != len) {
+		dev_err(&udev->dev,
+			"incomplete read over firmware interface: %d/%d\n",
+			r, len);
+		return -EIO;
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
 #define urb_dev(urb) (&(urb)->dev->dev)
 
 static inline void handle_regs_int(struct urb *urb)
@@ -921,9 +947,42 @@
 	return 0;
 }
 
+int zd_usb_init_hw(struct zd_usb *usb)
+{
+	int r;
+	struct zd_mac *mac = zd_usb_to_mac(usb);
+
+	dev_dbg_f(zd_usb_dev(usb), "\n");
+
+	r = upload_firmware(usb);
+	if (r) {
+		dev_err(zd_usb_dev(usb),
+		       "couldn't load firmware. Error number %d\n", r);
+		return r;
+	}
+
+	r = usb_reset_configuration(zd_usb_to_usbdev(usb));
+	if (r) {
+		dev_dbg_f(zd_usb_dev(usb),
+			"couldn't reset configuration. Error number %d\n", r);
+		return r;
+	}
+
+	r = zd_mac_init_hw(mac);
+	if (r) {
+		dev_dbg_f(zd_usb_dev(usb),
+		         "couldn't initialize mac. Error number %d\n", r);
+		return r;
+	}
+
+	usb->initialized = 1;
+	return 0;
+}
+
 static int probe(struct usb_interface *intf, const struct usb_device_id *id)
 {
 	int r;
+	struct zd_usb *usb;
 	struct usb_device *udev = interface_to_usbdev(intf);
 	struct net_device *netdev = NULL;
 
@@ -951,26 +1010,10 @@
 		goto error;
 	}
 
-	r = upload_firmware(udev, id->driver_info);
-	if (r) {
-		dev_err(&intf->dev,
-		       "couldn't load firmware. Error number %d\n", r);
-		goto error;
-	}
+	usb = &zd_netdev_mac(netdev)->chip.usb;
+	usb->is_zd1211b = (id->driver_info == DEVICE_ZD1211B) != 0;
 
-	r = usb_reset_configuration(udev);
-	if (r) {
-		dev_dbg_f(&intf->dev,
-			"couldn't reset configuration. Error number %d\n", r);
-		goto error;
-	}
-
-	/* At this point the interrupt endpoint is not generally enabled. We
-	 * save the USB bandwidth until the network device is opened. But
-	 * notify that the initialization of the MAC will require the
-	 * interrupts to be temporary enabled.
-	 */
-	r = zd_mac_init_hw(zd_netdev_mac(netdev), id->driver_info);
+	r = zd_mac_preinit_hw(zd_netdev_mac(netdev));
 	if (r) {
 		dev_dbg_f(&intf->dev,
 		         "couldn't initialize mac. Error number %d\n", r);
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_usb.h b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_usb.h
index 506ea6a..961a7a1 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_usb.h
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd_usb.h
@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@
 	struct zd_usb_rx rx;
 	struct zd_usb_tx tx;
 	struct usb_interface *intf;
+	u8 is_zd1211b:1, initialized:1;
 };
 
 #define zd_usb_dev(usb) (&usb->intf->dev)
@@ -236,6 +237,8 @@
 
 int zd_usb_rfwrite(struct zd_usb *usb, u32 value, u8 bits);
 
+int zd_usb_read_fw(struct zd_usb *usb, zd_addr_t addr, u8 *data, u16 len);
+
 extern struct workqueue_struct *zd_workqueue;
 
 #endif /* _ZD_USB_H */