14 files changed, 412 insertions, 337 deletions

diff --git a/src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.c b/src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.c
index 06038bb5ba..758bdc0f17 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.c
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/deadline_filter.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/iomgr/combiner.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/iomgr.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/polling_entity.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/profiling/timers.h"
@@ -160,13 +161,10 @@ typedef struct client_channel_channel_data {
   /** client channel factory */
   grpc_client_channel_factory *client_channel_factory;
 
-  /** mutex protecting all variables below in this data structure */
-  gpr_mu mu;
+  /** combiner protecting all variables below in this data structure */
+  grpc_combiner *combiner;
   /** currently active load balancer */
-  char *lb_policy_name;
   grpc_lb_policy *lb_policy;
-  /** service config in JSON form */
-  char *service_config_json;
   /** maps method names to method_parameters structs */
   grpc_slice_hash_table *method_params_table;
   /** incoming resolver result - set by resolver.next() */
@@ -183,6 +181,13 @@ typedef struct client_channel_channel_data {
   grpc_channel_stack *owning_stack;
   /** interested parties (owned) */
   grpc_pollset_set *interested_parties;
+
+  /* the following properties are guarded by a mutex since API's require them
+     to be instantaniously available */
+  gpr_mu info_mu;
+  char *info_lb_policy_name;
+  /** service config in JSON form */
+  char *info_service_config_json;
 } channel_data;
 
 /** We create one watcher for each new lb_policy that is returned from a
@@ -218,32 +223,23 @@ static void set_channel_connectivity_state_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
 }
 
 static void on_lb_policy_state_changed_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                              lb_policy_connectivity_watcher *w,
-                                              grpc_error *error) {
+                                              void *arg, grpc_error *error) {
+  lb_policy_connectivity_watcher *w = arg;
   grpc_connectivity_state publish_state = w->state;
-  /* check if the notification is for a stale policy */
-  if (w->lb_policy != w->chand->lb_policy) return;
-
-  if (publish_state == GRPC_CHANNEL_SHUTDOWN && w->chand->resolver != NULL) {
-    publish_state = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRANSIENT_FAILURE;
-    grpc_resolver_channel_saw_error(exec_ctx, w->chand->resolver);
-    GRPC_LB_POLICY_UNREF(exec_ctx, w->chand->lb_policy, "channel");
-    w->chand->lb_policy = NULL;
-  }
-  set_channel_connectivity_state_locked(exec_ctx, w->chand, publish_state,
-                                        GRPC_ERROR_REF(error), "lb_changed");
-  if (w->state != GRPC_CHANNEL_SHUTDOWN) {
-    watch_lb_policy(exec_ctx, w->chand, w->lb_policy, w->state);
+  /* check if the notification is for the latest policy */
+  if (w->lb_policy == w->chand->lb_policy) {
+    if (publish_state == GRPC_CHANNEL_SHUTDOWN && w->chand->resolver != NULL) {
+      publish_state = GRPC_CHANNEL_TRANSIENT_FAILURE;
+      grpc_resolver_channel_saw_error_locked(exec_ctx, w->chand->resolver);
+      GRPC_LB_POLICY_UNREF(exec_ctx, w->chand->lb_policy, "channel");
+      w->chand->lb_policy = NULL;
+    }
+    set_channel_connectivity_state_locked(exec_ctx, w->chand, publish_state,
+                                          GRPC_ERROR_REF(error), "lb_changed");
+    if (w->state != GRPC_CHANNEL_SHUTDOWN) {
+      watch_lb_policy(exec_ctx, w->chand, w->lb_policy, w->state);
+    }
   }
-}
-
-static void on_lb_policy_state_changed(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
-                                       grpc_error *error) {
-  lb_policy_connectivity_watcher *w = arg;
-
-  gpr_mu_lock(&w->chand->mu);
-  on_lb_policy_state_changed_locked(exec_ctx, w, error);
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&w->chand->mu);
 
   GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_UNREF(exec_ctx, w->chand->owning_stack, "watch_lb_policy");
   gpr_free(w);
@@ -256,16 +252,16 @@ static void watch_lb_policy(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, channel_data *chand,
   GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_REF(chand->owning_stack, "watch_lb_policy");
 
   w->chand = chand;
-  grpc_closure_init(&w->on_changed, on_lb_policy_state_changed, w,
-                    grpc_schedule_on_exec_ctx);
+  grpc_closure_init(&w->on_changed, on_lb_policy_state_changed_locked, w,
+                    grpc_combiner_scheduler(chand->combiner, false));
   w->state = current_state;
   w->lb_policy = lb_policy;
   grpc_lb_policy_notify_on_state_change(exec_ctx, lb_policy, &w->state,
                                         &w->on_changed);
 }
 
-static void on_resolver_result_changed(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
-                                       grpc_error *error) {
+static void on_resolver_result_changed_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                              void *arg, grpc_error *error) {
   channel_data *chand = arg;
   char *lb_policy_name = NULL;
   grpc_lb_policy *lb_policy = NULL;
@@ -353,17 +349,18 @@ static void on_resolver_result_changed(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
                                      chand->interested_parties);
   }
 
-  gpr_mu_lock(&chand->mu);
+  gpr_mu_lock(&chand->info_mu);
   if (lb_policy_name != NULL) {
-    gpr_free(chand->lb_policy_name);
-    chand->lb_policy_name = lb_policy_name;
+    gpr_free(chand->info_lb_policy_name);
+    chand->info_lb_policy_name = lb_policy_name;
   }
   old_lb_policy = chand->lb_policy;
   chand->lb_policy = lb_policy;
   if (service_config_json != NULL) {
-    gpr_free(chand->service_config_json);
-    chand->service_config_json = service_config_json;
+    gpr_free(chand->info_service_config_json);
+    chand->info_service_config_json = service_config_json;
   }
+  gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->info_mu);
   if (chand->method_params_table != NULL) {
     grpc_slice_hash_table_unref(exec_ctx, chand->method_params_table);
   }
@@ -389,12 +386,12 @@ static void on_resolver_result_changed(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
       watch_lb_policy(exec_ctx, chand, lb_policy, state);
     }
     GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_REF(chand->owning_stack, "resolver");
-    grpc_resolver_next(exec_ctx, chand->resolver, &chand->resolver_result,
-                       &chand->on_resolver_result_changed);
-    gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
+    grpc_resolver_next_locked(exec_ctx, chand->resolver,
+                              &chand->resolver_result,
+                              &chand->on_resolver_result_changed);
   } else {
     if (chand->resolver != NULL) {
-      grpc_resolver_shutdown(exec_ctx, chand->resolver);
+      grpc_resolver_shutdown_locked(exec_ctx, chand->resolver);
       GRPC_RESOLVER_UNREF(exec_ctx, chand->resolver, "channel");
       chand->resolver = NULL;
     }
@@ -404,7 +401,6 @@ static void on_resolver_result_changed(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
         GRPC_ERROR_CREATE_REFERENCING("Got config after disconnection", refs,
                                       GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(refs)),
         "resolver_gone");
-    gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
   }
 
   if (exit_idle) {
@@ -426,20 +422,12 @@ static void on_resolver_result_changed(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
   GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(state_error);
 }
 
-static void cc_start_transport_op(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                  grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                                  grpc_transport_op *op) {
+static void cc_start_transport_op_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
+                                         grpc_error *error_ignored) {
+  grpc_transport_op *op = arg;
+  grpc_channel_element *elem = op->transport_private.args[0];
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
 
-  grpc_closure_sched(exec_ctx, op->on_consumed, GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
-
-  GPR_ASSERT(op->set_accept_stream == false);
-  if (op->bind_pollset != NULL) {
-    grpc_pollset_set_add_pollset(exec_ctx, chand->interested_parties,
-                                 op->bind_pollset);
-  }
-
-  gpr_mu_lock(&chand->mu);
   if (op->on_connectivity_state_change != NULL) {
     grpc_connectivity_state_notify_on_state_change(
         exec_ctx, &chand->state_tracker, op->connectivity_state,
@@ -464,7 +452,7 @@ static void cc_start_transport_op(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
       set_channel_connectivity_state_locked(
           exec_ctx, chand, GRPC_CHANNEL_SHUTDOWN,
           GRPC_ERROR_REF(op->disconnect_with_error), "disconnect");
-      grpc_resolver_shutdown(exec_ctx, chand->resolver);
+      grpc_resolver_shutdown_locked(exec_ctx, chand->resolver);
       GRPC_RESOLVER_UNREF(exec_ctx, chand->resolver, "channel");
       chand->resolver = NULL;
       if (!chand->started_resolving) {
@@ -482,25 +470,49 @@ static void cc_start_transport_op(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
     }
     GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(op->disconnect_with_error);
   }
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_UNREF(exec_ctx, chand->owning_stack, "start_transport_op");
+
+  grpc_closure_sched(exec_ctx, op->on_consumed, GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
+}
+
+static void cc_start_transport_op(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                  grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                  grpc_transport_op *op) {
+  channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
+
+  GPR_ASSERT(op->set_accept_stream == false);
+  if (op->bind_pollset != NULL) {
+    grpc_pollset_set_add_pollset(exec_ctx, chand->interested_parties,
+                                 op->bind_pollset);
+  }
+
+  op->transport_private.args[0] = elem;
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_REF(chand->owning_stack, "start_transport_op");
+  grpc_closure_sched(
+      exec_ctx,
+      grpc_closure_init(&op->transport_private.closure,
+                        cc_start_transport_op_locked, op,
+                        grpc_combiner_scheduler(chand->combiner, false)),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
 }
 
 static void cc_get_channel_info(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                 grpc_channel_element *elem,
                                 const grpc_channel_info *info) {
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
-  gpr_mu_lock(&chand->mu);
+  gpr_mu_lock(&chand->info_mu);
   if (info->lb_policy_name != NULL) {
-    *info->lb_policy_name = chand->lb_policy_name == NULL
+    *info->lb_policy_name = chand->info_lb_policy_name == NULL
                                 ? NULL
-                                : gpr_strdup(chand->lb_policy_name);
+                                : gpr_strdup(chand->info_lb_policy_name);
   }
   if (info->service_config_json != NULL) {
-    *info->service_config_json = chand->service_config_json == NULL
-                                     ? NULL
-                                     : gpr_strdup(chand->service_config_json);
+    *info->service_config_json =
+        chand->info_service_config_json == NULL
+            ? NULL
+            : gpr_strdup(chand->info_service_config_json);
   }
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
+  gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->info_mu);
 }
 
 /* Constructor for channel_data */
@@ -512,11 +524,12 @@ static grpc_error *cc_init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   GPR_ASSERT(args->is_last);
   GPR_ASSERT(elem->filter == &grpc_client_channel_filter);
   // Initialize data members.
-  gpr_mu_init(&chand->mu);
+  chand->combiner = grpc_combiner_create(NULL);
+  gpr_mu_init(&chand->info_mu);
   chand->owning_stack = args->channel_stack;
   grpc_closure_init(&chand->on_resolver_result_changed,
-                    on_resolver_result_changed, chand,
-                    grpc_schedule_on_exec_ctx);
+                    on_resolver_result_changed_locked, chand,
+                    grpc_combiner_scheduler(chand->combiner, false));
   chand->interested_parties = grpc_pollset_set_create();
   grpc_connectivity_state_init(&chand->state_tracker, GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE,
                                "client_channel");
@@ -539,7 +552,7 @@ static grpc_error *cc_init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   chand->resolver = grpc_resolver_create(
       exec_ctx, proxy_name != NULL ? proxy_name : arg->value.string,
       new_args != NULL ? new_args : args->channel_args,
-      chand->interested_parties);
+      chand->interested_parties, chand->combiner);
   if (proxy_name != NULL) gpr_free(proxy_name);
   if (new_args != NULL) grpc_channel_args_destroy(exec_ctx, new_args);
   if (chand->resolver == NULL) {
@@ -548,13 +561,23 @@ static grpc_error *cc_init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
+static void shutdown_resolver_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
+                                     grpc_error *error) {
+  grpc_resolver *resolver = arg;
+  grpc_resolver_shutdown_locked(exec_ctx, resolver);
+  GRPC_RESOLVER_UNREF(exec_ctx, resolver, "channel");
+}
+
 /* Destructor for channel_data */
 static void cc_destroy_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                     grpc_channel_element *elem) {
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
   if (chand->resolver != NULL) {
-    grpc_resolver_shutdown(exec_ctx, chand->resolver);
-    GRPC_RESOLVER_UNREF(exec_ctx, chand->resolver, "channel");
+    grpc_closure_sched(
+        exec_ctx,
+        grpc_closure_create(shutdown_resolver_locked, chand->resolver,
+                            grpc_combiner_scheduler(chand->combiner, false)),
+        GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
   }
   if (chand->client_channel_factory != NULL) {
     grpc_client_channel_factory_unref(exec_ctx, chand->client_channel_factory);
@@ -565,14 +588,15 @@ static void cc_destroy_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                      chand->interested_parties);
     GRPC_LB_POLICY_UNREF(exec_ctx, chand->lb_policy, "channel");
   }
-  gpr_free(chand->lb_policy_name);
-  gpr_free(chand->service_config_json);
+  gpr_free(chand->info_lb_policy_name);
+  gpr_free(chand->info_service_config_json);
   if (chand->method_params_table != NULL) {
     grpc_slice_hash_table_unref(exec_ctx, chand->method_params_table);
   }
   grpc_connectivity_state_destroy(exec_ctx, &chand->state_tracker);
   grpc_pollset_set_destroy(chand->interested_parties);
-  gpr_mu_destroy(&chand->mu);
+  grpc_combiner_unref(exec_ctx, chand->combiner);
+  gpr_mu_destroy(&chand->info_mu);
 }
 
 /*************************************************************************
@@ -615,8 +639,6 @@ typedef struct client_channel_call_data {
       grpc_subchannel_call */
   gpr_atm subchannel_call;
 
-  gpr_mu mu;
-
   subchannel_creation_phase creation_phase;
   grpc_connected_subchannel *connected_subchannel;
   grpc_polling_entity *pollent;
@@ -661,52 +683,32 @@ static void fail_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, call_data *calld,
   GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(error);
 }
 
-typedef struct {
-  grpc_transport_stream_op **ops;
-  size_t nops;
-  grpc_subchannel_call *call;
-} retry_ops_args;
-
-static void retry_ops(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *args, grpc_error *error) {
-  retry_ops_args *a = args;
-  size_t i;
-  for (i = 0; i < a->nops; i++) {
-    grpc_subchannel_call_process_op(exec_ctx, a->call, a->ops[i]);
-  }
-  GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_CALL_UNREF(exec_ctx, a->call, "retry_ops");
-  gpr_free(a->ops);
-  gpr_free(a);
-}
-
 static void retry_waiting_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, call_data *calld) {
   if (calld->waiting_ops_count == 0) {
     return;
   }
 
-  retry_ops_args *a = gpr_malloc(sizeof(*a));
-  a->ops = calld->waiting_ops;
-  a->nops = calld->waiting_ops_count;
-  a->call = GET_CALL(calld);
-  if (a->call == CANCELLED_CALL) {
-    gpr_free(a);
+  grpc_subchannel_call *call = GET_CALL(calld);
+  grpc_transport_stream_op **ops = calld->waiting_ops;
+  size_t nops = calld->waiting_ops_count;
+  if (call == CANCELLED_CALL) {
     fail_locked(exec_ctx, calld, GRPC_ERROR_CANCELLED);
     return;
   }
   calld->waiting_ops = NULL;
   calld->waiting_ops_count = 0;
   calld->waiting_ops_capacity = 0;
-  GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_CALL_REF(a->call, "retry_ops");
-  grpc_closure_sched(
-      exec_ctx, grpc_closure_create(retry_ops, a, grpc_schedule_on_exec_ctx),
-      GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < nops; i++) {
+    grpc_subchannel_call_process_op(exec_ctx, call, ops[i]);
+  }
+  gpr_free(ops);
 }
 
-static void subchannel_ready(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
-                             grpc_error *error) {
+static void subchannel_ready_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
+                                    grpc_error *error) {
   grpc_call_element *elem = arg;
   call_data *calld = elem->call_data;
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
-  gpr_mu_lock(&calld->mu);
   GPR_ASSERT(calld->creation_phase ==
              GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_CALL_HOLDER_PICKING_SUBCHANNEL);
   grpc_polling_entity_del_from_pollset_set(exec_ctx, calld->pollent,
@@ -742,7 +744,6 @@ static void subchannel_ready(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
                       (gpr_atm)(uintptr_t)subchannel_call);
     retry_waiting_locked(exec_ctx, calld);
   }
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&calld->mu);
   GRPC_CALL_STACK_UNREF(exec_ctx, calld->owning_call, "pick_subchannel");
 }
 
@@ -768,37 +769,35 @@ typedef struct {
 /** Return true if subchannel is available immediately (in which case on_ready
     should not be called), or false otherwise (in which case on_ready should be
     called when the subchannel is available). */
-static bool pick_subchannel(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call_element *elem,
-                            grpc_metadata_batch *initial_metadata,
-                            uint32_t initial_metadata_flags,
-                            grpc_connected_subchannel **connected_subchannel,
-                            grpc_closure *on_ready, grpc_error *error);
-
-static void continue_picking(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
-                             grpc_error *error) {
+static bool pick_subchannel_locked(
+    grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call_element *elem,
+    grpc_metadata_batch *initial_metadata, uint32_t initial_metadata_flags,
+    grpc_connected_subchannel **connected_subchannel, grpc_closure *on_ready,
+    grpc_error *error);
+
+static void continue_picking_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
+                                    grpc_error *error) {
   continue_picking_args *cpa = arg;
   if (cpa->connected_subchannel == NULL) {
     /* cancelled, do nothing */
   } else if (error != GRPC_ERROR_NONE) {
     grpc_closure_sched(exec_ctx, cpa->on_ready, GRPC_ERROR_REF(error));
   } else {
-    call_data *calld = cpa->elem->call_data;
-    gpr_mu_lock(&calld->mu);
-    if (pick_subchannel(exec_ctx, cpa->elem, cpa->initial_metadata,
-                        cpa->initial_metadata_flags, cpa->connected_subchannel,
-                        cpa->on_ready, GRPC_ERROR_NONE)) {
+    if (pick_subchannel_locked(exec_ctx, cpa->elem, cpa->initial_metadata,
+                               cpa->initial_metadata_flags,
+                               cpa->connected_subchannel, cpa->on_ready,
+                               GRPC_ERROR_NONE)) {
       grpc_closure_sched(exec_ctx, cpa->on_ready, GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
     }
-    gpr_mu_unlock(&calld->mu);
   }
   gpr_free(cpa);
 }
 
-static bool pick_subchannel(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call_element *elem,
-                            grpc_metadata_batch *initial_metadata,
-                            uint32_t initial_metadata_flags,
-                            grpc_connected_subchannel **connected_subchannel,
-                            grpc_closure *on_ready, grpc_error *error) {
+static bool pick_subchannel_locked(
+    grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call_element *elem,
+    grpc_metadata_batch *initial_metadata, uint32_t initial_metadata_flags,
+    grpc_connected_subchannel **connected_subchannel, grpc_closure *on_ready,
+    grpc_error *error) {
   GPR_TIMER_BEGIN("pick_subchannel", 0);
 
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
@@ -808,7 +807,6 @@ static bool pick_subchannel(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call_element *elem,
 
   GPR_ASSERT(connected_subchannel);
 
-  gpr_mu_lock(&chand->mu);
   if (initial_metadata == NULL) {
     if (chand->lb_policy != NULL) {
       grpc_lb_policy_cancel_pick(exec_ctx, chand->lb_policy,
@@ -824,7 +822,6 @@ static bool pick_subchannel(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call_element *elem,
             GRPC_ERROR_CREATE_REFERENCING("Pick cancelled", &error, 1));
       }
     }
-    gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
     GPR_TIMER_END("pick_subchannel", 0);
     GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(error);
     return true;
@@ -833,7 +830,6 @@ static bool pick_subchannel(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call_element *elem,
   if (chand->lb_policy != NULL) {
     grpc_lb_policy *lb_policy = chand->lb_policy;
     GRPC_LB_POLICY_REF(lb_policy, "pick_subchannel");
-    gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
     // If the application explicitly set wait_for_ready, use that.
     // Otherwise, if the service config specified a value for this
     // method, use that.
@@ -862,8 +858,9 @@ static bool pick_subchannel(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call_element *elem,
   if (chand->resolver != NULL && !chand->started_resolving) {
     chand->started_resolving = true;
     GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_REF(chand->owning_stack, "resolver");
-    grpc_resolver_next(exec_ctx, chand->resolver, &chand->resolver_result,
-                       &chand->on_resolver_result_changed);
+    grpc_resolver_next_locked(exec_ctx, chand->resolver,
+                              &chand->resolver_result,
+                              &chand->on_resolver_result_changed);
   }
   if (chand->resolver != NULL) {
     cpa = gpr_malloc(sizeof(*cpa));
@@ -872,62 +869,38 @@ static bool pick_subchannel(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call_element *elem,
     cpa->connected_subchannel = connected_subchannel;
     cpa->on_ready = on_ready;
     cpa->elem = elem;
-    grpc_closure_init(&cpa->closure, continue_picking, cpa,
-                      grpc_schedule_on_exec_ctx);
+    grpc_closure_init(&cpa->closure, continue_picking_locked, cpa,
+                      grpc_combiner_scheduler(chand->combiner, true));
     grpc_closure_list_append(&chand->waiting_for_config_closures, &cpa->closure,
                              GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
   } else {
     grpc_closure_sched(exec_ctx, on_ready, GRPC_ERROR_CREATE("Disconnected"));
   }
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
 
   GPR_TIMER_END("pick_subchannel", 0);
   return false;
 }
 
-// The logic here is fairly complicated, due to (a) the fact that we
-// need to handle the case where we receive the send op before the
-// initial metadata op, and (b) the need for efficiency, especially in
-// the streaming case.
-// TODO(ctiller): Explain this more thoroughly.
-static void cc_start_transport_stream_op(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                         grpc_call_element *elem,
-                                         grpc_transport_stream_op *op) {
+static void cc_start_transport_stream_op_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                                void *arg,
+                                                grpc_error *error_ignored) {
+  grpc_transport_stream_op *op = arg;
+  grpc_call_element *elem = op->transport_private.args[0];
   call_data *calld = elem->call_data;
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
-  GRPC_CALL_LOG_OP(GPR_INFO, elem, op);
-  grpc_deadline_state_client_start_transport_stream_op(exec_ctx, elem, op);
-  /* try to (atomically) get the call */
-  grpc_subchannel_call *call = GET_CALL(calld);
-  GPR_TIMER_BEGIN("cc_start_transport_stream_op", 0);
-  if (call == CANCELLED_CALL) {
-    grpc_transport_stream_op_finish_with_failure(
-        exec_ctx, op, GRPC_ERROR_REF(calld->cancel_error));
-    GPR_TIMER_END("cc_start_transport_stream_op", 0);
-    return;
-  }
-  if (call != NULL) {
-    grpc_subchannel_call_process_op(exec_ctx, call, op);
-    GPR_TIMER_END("cc_start_transport_stream_op", 0);
-    return;
-  }
-  /* we failed; lock and figure out what to do */
-  gpr_mu_lock(&calld->mu);
+  grpc_subchannel_call *call;
+
 retry:
   /* need to recheck that another thread hasn't set the call */
   call = GET_CALL(calld);
   if (call == CANCELLED_CALL) {
-    gpr_mu_unlock(&calld->mu);
     grpc_transport_stream_op_finish_with_failure(
         exec_ctx, op, GRPC_ERROR_REF(calld->cancel_error));
-    GPR_TIMER_END("cc_start_transport_stream_op", 0);
-    return;
+    goto done;
   }
   if (call != NULL) {
-    gpr_mu_unlock(&calld->mu);
     grpc_subchannel_call_process_op(exec_ctx, call, op);
-    GPR_TIMER_END("cc_start_transport_stream_op", 0);
-    return;
+    goto done;
   }
   /* if this is a cancellation, then we can raise our cancelled flag */
   if (op->cancel_error != GRPC_ERROR_NONE) {
@@ -946,15 +919,14 @@ retry:
           fail_locked(exec_ctx, calld, GRPC_ERROR_REF(op->cancel_error));
           break;
         case GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_CALL_HOLDER_PICKING_SUBCHANNEL:
-          pick_subchannel(exec_ctx, elem, NULL, 0, &calld->connected_subchannel,
-                          NULL, GRPC_ERROR_REF(op->cancel_error));
+          pick_subchannel_locked(exec_ctx, elem, NULL, 0,
+                                 &calld->connected_subchannel, NULL,
+                                 GRPC_ERROR_REF(op->cancel_error));
           break;
       }
-      gpr_mu_unlock(&calld->mu);
       grpc_transport_stream_op_finish_with_failure(
           exec_ctx, op, GRPC_ERROR_REF(op->cancel_error));
-      GPR_TIMER_END("cc_start_transport_stream_op", 0);
-      return;
+      goto done;
     }
   }
   /* if we don't have a subchannel, try to get one */
@@ -962,16 +934,16 @@ retry:
       calld->connected_subchannel == NULL &&
       op->send_initial_metadata != NULL) {
     calld->creation_phase = GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_CALL_HOLDER_PICKING_SUBCHANNEL;
-    grpc_closure_init(&calld->next_step, subchannel_ready, elem,
-                      grpc_schedule_on_exec_ctx);
+    grpc_closure_init(&calld->next_step, subchannel_ready_locked, elem,
+                      grpc_combiner_scheduler(chand->combiner, true));
     GRPC_CALL_STACK_REF(calld->owning_call, "pick_subchannel");
     /* If a subchannel is not available immediately, the polling entity from
        call_data should be provided to channel_data's interested_parties, so
        that IO of the lb_policy and resolver could be done under it. */
-    if (pick_subchannel(exec_ctx, elem, op->send_initial_metadata,
-                        op->send_initial_metadata_flags,
-                        &calld->connected_subchannel, &calld->next_step,
-                        GRPC_ERROR_NONE)) {
+    if (pick_subchannel_locked(exec_ctx, elem, op->send_initial_metadata,
+                               op->send_initial_metadata_flags,
+                               &calld->connected_subchannel, &calld->next_step,
+                               GRPC_ERROR_NONE)) {
       calld->creation_phase = GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_CALL_HOLDER_NOT_CREATING;
       GRPC_CALL_STACK_UNREF(exec_ctx, calld->owning_call, "pick_subchannel");
     } else {
@@ -998,27 +970,64 @@ retry:
   }
   /* nothing to be done but wait */
   add_waiting_locked(calld, op);
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&calld->mu);
+done:
+  GRPC_CALL_STACK_UNREF(exec_ctx, calld->owning_call,
+                        "start_transport_stream_op");
   GPR_TIMER_END("cc_start_transport_stream_op", 0);
 }
 
+// The logic here is fairly complicated, due to (a) the fact that we
+// need to handle the case where we receive the send op before the
+// initial metadata op, and (b) the need for efficiency, especially in
+// the streaming case.
+// TODO(ctiller): Explain this more thoroughly.
+static void cc_start_transport_stream_op(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                         grpc_call_element *elem,
+                                         grpc_transport_stream_op *op) {
+  call_data *calld = elem->call_data;
+  channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
+  GRPC_CALL_LOG_OP(GPR_INFO, elem, op);
+  grpc_deadline_state_client_start_transport_stream_op(exec_ctx, elem, op);
+  /* try to (atomically) get the call */
+  grpc_subchannel_call *call = GET_CALL(calld);
+  GPR_TIMER_BEGIN("cc_start_transport_stream_op", 0);
+  if (call == CANCELLED_CALL) {
+    grpc_transport_stream_op_finish_with_failure(
+        exec_ctx, op, GRPC_ERROR_REF(calld->cancel_error));
+    GPR_TIMER_END("cc_start_transport_stream_op", 0);
+    return;
+  }
+  if (call != NULL) {
+    grpc_subchannel_call_process_op(exec_ctx, call, op);
+    GPR_TIMER_END("cc_start_transport_stream_op", 0);
+    return;
+  }
+  /* we failed; lock and figure out what to do */
+  GRPC_CALL_STACK_REF(calld->owning_call, "start_transport_stream_op");
+  op->transport_private.args[0] = elem;
+  grpc_closure_sched(
+      exec_ctx,
+      grpc_closure_init(&op->transport_private.closure,
+                        cc_start_transport_stream_op_locked, op,
+                        grpc_combiner_scheduler(chand->combiner, false)),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
+}
+
 // Gets data from the service config.  Invoked when the resolver returns
 // its initial result.
-static void read_service_config(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
-                                grpc_error *error) {
+static void read_service_config_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
+                                       grpc_error *error) {
   grpc_call_element *elem = arg;
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
   call_data *calld = elem->call_data;
   // If this is an error, there's no point in looking at the service config.
   if (error == GRPC_ERROR_NONE) {
     // Get the method config table from channel data.
-    gpr_mu_lock(&chand->mu);
     grpc_slice_hash_table *method_params_table = NULL;
     if (chand->method_params_table != NULL) {
       method_params_table =
           grpc_slice_hash_table_ref(chand->method_params_table);
     }
-    gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
     // If the method config table was present, use it.
     if (method_params_table != NULL) {
       const method_parameters *method_params = grpc_method_config_table_get(
@@ -1028,7 +1037,6 @@ static void read_service_config(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
             gpr_time_cmp(method_params->timeout, gpr_time_0(GPR_TIMESPAN)) != 0;
         if (have_method_timeout ||
             method_params->wait_for_ready != WAIT_FOR_READY_UNSET) {
-          gpr_mu_lock(&calld->mu);
           if (have_method_timeout) {
             const gpr_timespec per_method_deadline =
                 gpr_time_add(calld->call_start_time, method_params->timeout);
@@ -1042,7 +1050,6 @@ static void read_service_config(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
             calld->wait_for_ready_from_service_config =
                 method_params->wait_for_ready;
           }
-          gpr_mu_unlock(&calld->mu);
         }
       }
       grpc_slice_hash_table_unref(exec_ctx, method_params_table);
@@ -1051,43 +1058,25 @@ static void read_service_config(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
   GRPC_CALL_STACK_UNREF(exec_ctx, calld->owning_call, "read_service_config");
 }
 
-/* Constructor for call_data */
-static grpc_error *cc_init_call_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                     grpc_call_element *elem,
-                                     grpc_call_element_args *args) {
+static void initial_read_service_config_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                               void *arg,
+                                               grpc_error *error_ignored) {
+  grpc_call_element *elem = arg;
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
   call_data *calld = elem->call_data;
-  // Initialize data members.
-  grpc_deadline_state_init(exec_ctx, elem, args->call_stack);
-  calld->path = grpc_slice_ref_internal(args->path);
-  calld->call_start_time = args->start_time;
-  calld->deadline = gpr_convert_clock_type(args->deadline, GPR_CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
-  calld->wait_for_ready_from_service_config = WAIT_FOR_READY_UNSET;
-  calld->cancel_error = GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
-  gpr_atm_rel_store(&calld->subchannel_call, 0);
-  gpr_mu_init(&calld->mu);
-  calld->connected_subchannel = NULL;
-  calld->waiting_ops = NULL;
-  calld->waiting_ops_count = 0;
-  calld->waiting_ops_capacity = 0;
-  calld->creation_phase = GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_CALL_HOLDER_NOT_CREATING;
-  calld->owning_call = args->call_stack;
-  calld->pollent = NULL;
   // If the resolver has already returned results, then we can access
   // the service config parameters immediately.  Otherwise, we need to
   // defer that work until the resolver returns an initial result.
   // TODO(roth): This code is almost but not quite identical to the code
   // in read_service_config() above.  It would be nice to find a way to
   // combine them, to avoid having to maintain it twice.
-  gpr_mu_lock(&chand->mu);
   if (chand->lb_policy != NULL) {
     // We already have a resolver result, so check for service config.
     if (chand->method_params_table != NULL) {
       grpc_slice_hash_table *method_params_table =
           grpc_slice_hash_table_ref(chand->method_params_table);
-      gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
       method_parameters *method_params = grpc_method_config_table_get(
-          exec_ctx, method_params_table, args->path);
+          exec_ctx, method_params_table, calld->path);
       if (method_params != NULL) {
         if (gpr_time_cmp(method_params->timeout,
                          gpr_time_0(GPR_CLOCK_MONOTONIC)) != 0) {
@@ -1101,24 +1090,53 @@ static grpc_error *cc_init_call_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
         }
       }
       grpc_slice_hash_table_unref(exec_ctx, method_params_table);
-    } else {
-      gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
     }
   } else {
     // We don't yet have a resolver result, so register a callback to
     // get the service config data once the resolver returns.
     // Take a reference to the call stack to be owned by the callback.
     GRPC_CALL_STACK_REF(calld->owning_call, "read_service_config");
-    grpc_closure_init(&calld->read_service_config, read_service_config, elem,
-                      grpc_schedule_on_exec_ctx);
+    grpc_closure_init(&calld->read_service_config, read_service_config_locked,
+                      elem, grpc_combiner_scheduler(chand->combiner, false));
     grpc_closure_list_append(&chand->waiting_for_config_closures,
                              &calld->read_service_config, GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
-    gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
   }
   // Start the deadline timer with the current deadline value.  If we
   // do not yet have service config data, then the timer may be reset
   // later.
   grpc_deadline_state_start(exec_ctx, elem, calld->deadline);
+  GRPC_CALL_STACK_UNREF(exec_ctx, calld->owning_call,
+                        "initial_read_service_config");
+}
+
+/* Constructor for call_data */
+static grpc_error *cc_init_call_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_call_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_call_element_args *args) {
+  channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
+  call_data *calld = elem->call_data;
+  // Initialize data members.
+  grpc_deadline_state_init(exec_ctx, elem, args->call_stack);
+  calld->path = grpc_slice_ref_internal(args->path);
+  calld->call_start_time = args->start_time;
+  calld->deadline = gpr_convert_clock_type(args->deadline, GPR_CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
+  calld->wait_for_ready_from_service_config = WAIT_FOR_READY_UNSET;
+  calld->cancel_error = GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
+  gpr_atm_rel_store(&calld->subchannel_call, 0);
+  calld->connected_subchannel = NULL;
+  calld->waiting_ops = NULL;
+  calld->waiting_ops_count = 0;
+  calld->waiting_ops_capacity = 0;
+  calld->creation_phase = GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_CALL_HOLDER_NOT_CREATING;
+  calld->owning_call = args->call_stack;
+  calld->pollent = NULL;
+  GRPC_CALL_STACK_REF(calld->owning_call, "initial_read_service_config");
+  grpc_closure_sched(
+      exec_ctx,
+      grpc_closure_init(&calld->read_service_config,
+                        initial_read_service_config_locked, elem,
+                        grpc_combiner_scheduler(chand->combiner, false)),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
   return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
@@ -1136,7 +1154,6 @@ static void cc_destroy_call_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
     GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_CALL_UNREF(exec_ctx, call, "client_channel_destroy_call");
   }
   GPR_ASSERT(calld->creation_phase == GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_CALL_HOLDER_NOT_CREATING);
-  gpr_mu_destroy(&calld->mu);
   GPR_ASSERT(calld->waiting_ops_count == 0);
   if (calld->connected_subchannel != NULL) {
     GRPC_CONNECTED_SUBCHANNEL_UNREF(exec_ctx, calld->connected_subchannel,
@@ -1172,26 +1189,37 @@ const grpc_channel_filter grpc_client_channel_filter = {
     "client-channel",
 };
 
+static void try_to_connect_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
+                                  grpc_error *error_ignored) {
+  channel_data *chand = arg;
+  if (chand->lb_policy != NULL) {
+    grpc_lb_policy_exit_idle(exec_ctx, chand->lb_policy);
+  } else {
+    chand->exit_idle_when_lb_policy_arrives = true;
+    if (!chand->started_resolving && chand->resolver != NULL) {
+      GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_REF(chand->owning_stack, "resolver");
+      chand->started_resolving = true;
+      grpc_resolver_next_locked(exec_ctx, chand->resolver,
+                                &chand->resolver_result,
+                                &chand->on_resolver_result_changed);
+    }
+  }
+  GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_UNREF(exec_ctx, chand->owning_stack, "try_to_connect");
+}
+
 grpc_connectivity_state grpc_client_channel_check_connectivity_state(
     grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_channel_element *elem, int try_to_connect) {
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
   grpc_connectivity_state out;
-  gpr_mu_lock(&chand->mu);
-  out = grpc_connectivity_state_check(&chand->state_tracker, NULL);
+  out = grpc_connectivity_state_check(&chand->state_tracker);
   if (out == GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE && try_to_connect) {
-    if (chand->lb_policy != NULL) {
-      grpc_lb_policy_exit_idle(exec_ctx, chand->lb_policy);
-    } else {
-      chand->exit_idle_when_lb_policy_arrives = true;
-      if (!chand->started_resolving && chand->resolver != NULL) {
-        GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_REF(chand->owning_stack, "resolver");
-        chand->started_resolving = true;
-        grpc_resolver_next(exec_ctx, chand->resolver, &chand->resolver_result,
-                           &chand->on_resolver_result_changed);
-      }
-    }
+    GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_REF(chand->owning_stack, "try_to_connect");
+    grpc_closure_sched(
+        exec_ctx,
+        grpc_closure_create(try_to_connect_locked, chand,
+                            grpc_combiner_scheduler(chand->combiner, false)),
+        GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
   }
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
   return out;
 }
 
@@ -1199,6 +1227,7 @@ typedef struct {
   channel_data *chand;
   grpc_pollset *pollset;
   grpc_closure *on_complete;
+  grpc_connectivity_state *state;
   grpc_closure my_closure;
 } external_connectivity_watcher;
 
@@ -1211,7 +1240,17 @@ static void on_external_watch_complete(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
   GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_UNREF(exec_ctx, w->chand->owning_stack,
                            "external_connectivity_watcher");
   gpr_free(w);
-  follow_up->cb(exec_ctx, follow_up->cb_arg, error);
+  grpc_closure_run(exec_ctx, follow_up, GRPC_ERROR_REF(error));
+}
+
+static void cc_watch_connectivity_state_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                               void *arg,
+                                               grpc_error *error_ignored) {
+  external_connectivity_watcher *w = arg;
+  grpc_closure_init(&w->my_closure, on_external_watch_complete, w,
+                    grpc_schedule_on_exec_ctx);
+  grpc_connectivity_state_notify_on_state_change(
+      exec_ctx, &w->chand->state_tracker, w->state, &w->my_closure);
 }
 
 void grpc_client_channel_watch_connectivity_state(
@@ -1222,13 +1261,13 @@ void grpc_client_channel_watch_connectivity_state(
   w->chand = chand;
   w->pollset = pollset;
   w->on_complete = on_complete;
+  w->state = state;
   grpc_pollset_set_add_pollset(exec_ctx, chand->interested_parties, pollset);
-  grpc_closure_init(&w->my_closure, on_external_watch_complete, w,
-                    grpc_schedule_on_exec_ctx);
   GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_REF(w->chand->owning_stack,
                          "external_connectivity_watcher");
-  gpr_mu_lock(&chand->mu);
-  grpc_connectivity_state_notify_on_state_change(
-      exec_ctx, &chand->state_tracker, state, &w->my_closure);
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
+  grpc_closure_sched(
+      exec_ctx,
+      grpc_closure_init(&w->my_closure, cc_watch_connectivity_state_locked, w,
+                        grpc_combiner_scheduler(chand->combiner, true)),
+      GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
 }
diff --git a/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver.c b/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver.c
index 2ae4fe862e..22e6a9e525 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver.c
@@ -66,16 +66,18 @@ void grpc_resolver_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver) {
   }
 }
 
-void grpc_resolver_shutdown(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver) {
-  resolver->vtable->shutdown(exec_ctx, resolver);
+void grpc_resolver_shutdown_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                   grpc_resolver *resolver) {
+  resolver->vtable->shutdown_locked(exec_ctx, resolver);
 }
 
-void grpc_resolver_channel_saw_error(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                     grpc_resolver *resolver) {
-  resolver->vtable->channel_saw_error(exec_ctx, resolver);
+void grpc_resolver_channel_saw_error_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                            grpc_resolver *resolver) {
+  resolver->vtable->channel_saw_error_locked(exec_ctx, resolver);
 }
 
-void grpc_resolver_next(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver,
-                        grpc_channel_args **result, grpc_closure *on_complete) {
-  resolver->vtable->next(exec_ctx, resolver, result, on_complete);
+void grpc_resolver_next_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver,
+                               grpc_channel_args **result,
+                               grpc_closure *on_complete) {
+  resolver->vtable->next_locked(exec_ctx, resolver, result, on_complete);
 }
diff --git a/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver.h b/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver.h
index 96ece92b9d..01fe9a4a46 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver.h
+++ b/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver.h
@@ -48,10 +48,11 @@ struct grpc_resolver {
 
 struct grpc_resolver_vtable {
   void (*destroy)(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver);
-  void (*shutdown)(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver);
-  void (*channel_saw_error)(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver);
-  void (*next)(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver,
-               grpc_channel_args **result, grpc_closure *on_complete);
+  void (*shutdown_locked)(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver);
+  void (*channel_saw_error_locked)(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                   grpc_resolver *resolver);
+  void (*next_locked)(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver,
+                      grpc_channel_args **result, grpc_closure *on_complete);
 };
 
 #ifdef GRPC_RESOLVER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
@@ -72,19 +73,27 @@ void grpc_resolver_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *policy);
 void grpc_resolver_init(grpc_resolver *resolver,
                         const grpc_resolver_vtable *vtable);
 
-void grpc_resolver_shutdown(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver);
+void grpc_resolver_shutdown_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                   grpc_resolver *resolver);
 
 /** Notification that the channel has seen an error on some address.
-    Can be used as a hint that re-resolution is desirable soon. */
-void grpc_resolver_channel_saw_error(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                     grpc_resolver *resolver);
+    Can be used as a hint that re-resolution is desirable soon.
+
+    Must be called from the combiner passed as a resolver_arg at construction
+    time.*/
+void grpc_resolver_channel_saw_error_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                            grpc_resolver *resolver);
 
 /** Get the next result from the resolver.  Expected to set \a *result with
     new channel args and then schedule \a on_complete for execution.
 
     If resolution is fatally broken, set \a *result to NULL and
-    schedule \a on_complete. */
-void grpc_resolver_next(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver,
-                        grpc_channel_args **result, grpc_closure *on_complete);
+    schedule \a on_complete.
+
+    Must be called from the combiner passed as a resolver_arg at construction
+    time.*/
+void grpc_resolver_next_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver,
+                               grpc_channel_args **result,
+                               grpc_closure *on_complete);
 
 #endif /* GRPC_CORE_EXT_CLIENT_CHANNEL_RESOLVER_H */
diff --git a/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_factory.h b/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_factory.h
index 3792ddca18..e3cd99ec5a 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_factory.h
+++ b/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_factory.h
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ typedef struct grpc_resolver_args {
   grpc_uri *uri;
   const grpc_channel_args *args;
   grpc_pollset_set *pollset_set;
+  grpc_combiner *combiner;
 } grpc_resolver_args;
 
 struct grpc_resolver_factory_vtable {
diff --git a/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.c b/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.c
index 5110a7cad9..f8e8bc9c39 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.c
@@ -133,7 +133,8 @@ static grpc_resolver_factory *resolve_factory(const char *target,
 
 grpc_resolver *grpc_resolver_create(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const char *target,
                                     const grpc_channel_args *args,
-                                    grpc_pollset_set *pollset_set) {
+                                    grpc_pollset_set *pollset_set,
+                                    grpc_combiner *combiner) {
   grpc_uri *uri = NULL;
   char *canonical_target = NULL;
   grpc_resolver_factory *factory =
@@ -144,6 +145,7 @@ grpc_resolver *grpc_resolver_create(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const char *target,
   resolver_args.uri = uri;
   resolver_args.args = args;
   resolver_args.pollset_set = pollset_set;
+  resolver_args.combiner = combiner;
   resolver =
       grpc_resolver_factory_create_resolver(exec_ctx, factory, &resolver_args);
   grpc_uri_destroy(uri);
diff --git a/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.h b/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.h
index a4606463eb..e2c189cf0c 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.h
+++ b/src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.h
@@ -65,7 +65,8 @@ void grpc_register_resolver_type(grpc_resolver_factory *factory);
     should not be NULL. */
 grpc_resolver *grpc_resolver_create(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const char *target,
                                     const grpc_channel_args *args,
-                                    grpc_pollset_set *pollset_set);
+                                    grpc_pollset_set *pollset_set,
+                                    grpc_combiner *combiner);
 
 /** Find a resolver factory given a name and return an (owned-by-the-caller)
  *  reference to it */
diff --git a/src/core/ext/client_channel/subchannel.c b/src/core/ext/client_channel/subchannel.c
index aa036e883b..c37134fd5e 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/client_channel/subchannel.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/client_channel/subchannel.c
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ grpc_connectivity_state grpc_subchannel_check_connectivity(grpc_subchannel *c,
                                                            grpc_error **error) {
   grpc_connectivity_state state;
   gpr_mu_lock(&c->mu);
-  state = grpc_connectivity_state_check(&c->state_tracker, error);
+  state = grpc_connectivity_state_get(&c->state_tracker, error);
   gpr_mu_unlock(&c->mu);
   return state;
 }
diff --git a/src/core/ext/lb_policy/grpclb/grpclb.c b/src/core/ext/lb_policy/grpclb/grpclb.c
index ab62e5ed6a..8a2af48328 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/lb_policy/grpclb/grpclb.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/lb_policy/grpclb/grpclb.c
@@ -492,9 +492,8 @@ static grpc_lb_addresses *process_serverlist_locked(
 static bool update_lb_connectivity_status_locked(
     grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, glb_lb_policy *glb_policy,
     grpc_connectivity_state new_rr_state, grpc_error *new_rr_state_error) {
-  grpc_error *curr_state_error;
-  const grpc_connectivity_state curr_glb_state = grpc_connectivity_state_check(
-      &glb_policy->state_tracker, &curr_state_error);
+  const grpc_connectivity_state curr_glb_state =
+      grpc_connectivity_state_check(&glb_policy->state_tracker);
 
   /* The new connectivity status is a function of the previous one and the new
    * input coming from the status of the RR policy.
@@ -1098,8 +1097,8 @@ static grpc_connectivity_state glb_check_connectivity(
   glb_lb_policy *glb_policy = (glb_lb_policy *)pol;
   grpc_connectivity_state st;
   gpr_mu_lock(&glb_policy->mu);
-  st = grpc_connectivity_state_check(&glb_policy->state_tracker,
-                                     connectivity_error);
+  st = grpc_connectivity_state_get(&glb_policy->state_tracker,
+                                   connectivity_error);
   gpr_mu_unlock(&glb_policy->mu);
   return st;
 }
diff --git a/src/core/ext/lb_policy/pick_first/pick_first.c b/src/core/ext/lb_policy/pick_first/pick_first.c
index 9f2aa461be..1b965183f6 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/lb_policy/pick_first/pick_first.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/lb_policy/pick_first/pick_first.c
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ static grpc_connectivity_state pf_check_connectivity(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   pick_first_lb_policy *p = (pick_first_lb_policy *)pol;
   grpc_connectivity_state st;
   gpr_mu_lock(&p->mu);
-  st = grpc_connectivity_state_check(&p->state_tracker, error);
+  st = grpc_connectivity_state_get(&p->state_tracker, error);
   gpr_mu_unlock(&p->mu);
   return st;
 }
diff --git a/src/core/ext/lb_policy/round_robin/round_robin.c b/src/core/ext/lb_policy/round_robin/round_robin.c
index 3e060d189a..63e3d033ad 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/lb_policy/round_robin/round_robin.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/lb_policy/round_robin/round_robin.c
@@ -655,7 +655,7 @@ static grpc_connectivity_state rr_check_connectivity(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   round_robin_lb_policy *p = (round_robin_lb_policy *)pol;
   grpc_connectivity_state st;
   gpr_mu_lock(&p->mu);
-  st = grpc_connectivity_state_check(&p->state_tracker, error);
+  st = grpc_connectivity_state_get(&p->state_tracker, error);
   gpr_mu_unlock(&p->mu);
   return st;
 }
diff --git a/src/core/ext/resolver/dns/native/dns_resolver.c b/src/core/ext/resolver/dns/native/dns_resolver.c
index 2c9623211b..7efe3be250 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/resolver/dns/native/dns_resolver.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/resolver/dns/native/dns_resolver.c
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@
 #include "src/core/ext/client_channel/lb_policy_registry.h"
 #include "src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/iomgr/combiner.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/resolve_address.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/timer.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/support/backoff.h"
@@ -62,9 +63,9 @@ typedef struct {
   grpc_channel_args *channel_args;
   /** pollset_set to drive the name resolution process */
   grpc_pollset_set *interested_parties;
+  /** combiner (shared with client channel) */
+  grpc_combiner *combiner;
 
-  /** mutex guarding the rest of the state */
-  gpr_mu mu;
   /** are we currently resolving? */
   bool resolving;
   /** which version of the result have we published? */
@@ -95,18 +96,20 @@ static void dns_start_resolving_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
 static void dns_maybe_finish_next_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                          dns_resolver *r);
 
-static void dns_shutdown(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *r);
-static void dns_channel_saw_error(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *r);
-static void dns_next(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *r,
-                     grpc_channel_args **target_result,
-                     grpc_closure *on_complete);
+static void dns_shutdown_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *r);
+static void dns_channel_saw_error_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                         grpc_resolver *r);
+static void dns_next_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *r,
+                            grpc_channel_args **target_result,
+                            grpc_closure *on_complete);
 
 static const grpc_resolver_vtable dns_resolver_vtable = {
-    dns_destroy, dns_shutdown, dns_channel_saw_error, dns_next};
+    dns_destroy, dns_shutdown_locked, dns_channel_saw_error_locked,
+    dns_next_locked};
 
-static void dns_shutdown(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver) {
+static void dns_shutdown_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                grpc_resolver *resolver) {
   dns_resolver *r = (dns_resolver *)resolver;
-  gpr_mu_lock(&r->mu);
   if (r->have_retry_timer) {
     grpc_timer_cancel(exec_ctx, &r->retry_timer);
   }
@@ -116,25 +119,21 @@ static void dns_shutdown(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver) {
                        GRPC_ERROR_CREATE("Resolver Shutdown"));
     r->next_completion = NULL;
   }
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&r->mu);
 }
 
-static void dns_channel_saw_error(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                  grpc_resolver *resolver) {
+static void dns_channel_saw_error_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                         grpc_resolver *resolver) {
   dns_resolver *r = (dns_resolver *)resolver;
-  gpr_mu_lock(&r->mu);
   if (!r->resolving) {
     gpr_backoff_reset(&r->backoff_state);
     dns_start_resolving_locked(exec_ctx, r);
   }
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&r->mu);
 }
 
-static void dns_next(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver,
-                     grpc_channel_args **target_result,
-                     grpc_closure *on_complete) {
+static void dns_next_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver,
+                            grpc_channel_args **target_result,
+                            grpc_closure *on_complete) {
   dns_resolver *r = (dns_resolver *)resolver;
-  gpr_mu_lock(&r->mu);
   GPR_ASSERT(!r->next_completion);
   r->next_completion = on_complete;
   r->target_result = target_result;
@@ -144,30 +143,26 @@ static void dns_next(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver,
   } else {
     dns_maybe_finish_next_locked(exec_ctx, r);
   }
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&r->mu);
 }
 
-static void dns_on_retry_timer(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
-                               grpc_error *error) {
+static void dns_on_retry_timer_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
+                                      grpc_error *error) {
   dns_resolver *r = arg;
 
-  gpr_mu_lock(&r->mu);
   r->have_retry_timer = false;
   if (error == GRPC_ERROR_NONE) {
     if (!r->resolving) {
       dns_start_resolving_locked(exec_ctx, r);
     }
   }
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&r->mu);
 
   GRPC_RESOLVER_UNREF(exec_ctx, &r->base, "retry-timer");
 }
 
-static void dns_on_resolved(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
-                            grpc_error *error) {
+static void dns_on_resolved_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
+                                   grpc_error *error) {
   dns_resolver *r = arg;
   grpc_channel_args *result = NULL;
-  gpr_mu_lock(&r->mu);
   GPR_ASSERT(r->resolving);
   r->resolving = false;
   if (r->addresses != NULL) {
@@ -198,8 +193,8 @@ static void dns_on_resolved(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
     } else {
       gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "retrying immediately");
     }
-    grpc_closure_init(&r->on_retry, dns_on_retry_timer, r,
-                      grpc_schedule_on_exec_ctx);
+    grpc_closure_init(&r->on_retry, dns_on_retry_timer_locked, r,
+                      grpc_combiner_scheduler(r->combiner, false));
     grpc_timer_init(exec_ctx, &r->retry_timer, next_try, &r->on_retry, now);
   }
   if (r->resolved_result != NULL) {
@@ -208,7 +203,6 @@ static void dns_on_resolved(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
   r->resolved_result = result;
   r->resolved_version++;
   dns_maybe_finish_next_locked(exec_ctx, r);
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&r->mu);
 
   GRPC_RESOLVER_UNREF(exec_ctx, &r->base, "dns-resolving");
 }
@@ -221,7 +215,8 @@ static void dns_start_resolving_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   r->addresses = NULL;
   grpc_resolve_address(
       exec_ctx, r->name_to_resolve, r->default_port, r->interested_parties,
-      grpc_closure_create(dns_on_resolved, r, grpc_schedule_on_exec_ctx),
+      grpc_closure_create(dns_on_resolved_locked, r,
+                          grpc_combiner_scheduler(r->combiner, false)),
       &r->addresses);
 }
 
@@ -240,7 +235,7 @@ static void dns_maybe_finish_next_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
 
 static void dns_destroy(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *gr) {
   dns_resolver *r = (dns_resolver *)gr;
-  gpr_mu_destroy(&r->mu);
+  grpc_combiner_unref(exec_ctx, r->combiner);
   if (r->resolved_result != NULL) {
     grpc_channel_args_destroy(exec_ctx, r->resolved_result);
   }
@@ -264,7 +259,7 @@ static grpc_resolver *dns_create(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   // Create resolver.
   dns_resolver *r = gpr_malloc(sizeof(dns_resolver));
   memset(r, 0, sizeof(*r));
-  gpr_mu_init(&r->mu);
+  r->combiner = args->combiner;
   grpc_resolver_init(&r->base, &dns_resolver_vtable);
   r->name_to_resolve = gpr_strdup(path);
   r->default_port = gpr_strdup(default_port);
diff --git a/src/core/ext/resolver/sockaddr/sockaddr_resolver.c b/src/core/ext/resolver/sockaddr/sockaddr_resolver.c
index a1365f6465..2dd5259719 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/resolver/sockaddr/sockaddr_resolver.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/resolver/sockaddr/sockaddr_resolver.c
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@
 #include "src/core/ext/client_channel/parse_address.h"
 #include "src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/iomgr/combiner.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/resolve_address.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/unix_sockets_posix.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
@@ -58,8 +59,8 @@ typedef struct {
   grpc_lb_addresses *addresses;
   /** channel args */
   grpc_channel_args *channel_args;
-  /** mutex guarding the rest of the state */
-  gpr_mu mu;
+  /** combiner guarding the rest of the state */
+  grpc_combiner *combiner;
   /** have we published? */
   bool published;
   /** pending next completion, or NULL */
@@ -73,48 +74,43 @@ static void sockaddr_destroy(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *r);
 static void sockaddr_maybe_finish_next_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                               sockaddr_resolver *r);
 
-static void sockaddr_shutdown(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *r);
-static void sockaddr_channel_saw_error(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                       grpc_resolver *r);
-static void sockaddr_next(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *r,
-                          grpc_channel_args **target_result,
-                          grpc_closure *on_complete);
+static void sockaddr_shutdown_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *r);
+static void sockaddr_channel_saw_error_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                              grpc_resolver *r);
+static void sockaddr_next_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *r,
+                                 grpc_channel_args **target_result,
+                                 grpc_closure *on_complete);
 
 static const grpc_resolver_vtable sockaddr_resolver_vtable = {
-    sockaddr_destroy, sockaddr_shutdown, sockaddr_channel_saw_error,
-    sockaddr_next};
+    sockaddr_destroy, sockaddr_shutdown_locked,
+    sockaddr_channel_saw_error_locked, sockaddr_next_locked};
 
-static void sockaddr_shutdown(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_resolver *resolver) {
+static void sockaddr_shutdown_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_resolver *resolver) {
   sockaddr_resolver *r = (sockaddr_resolver *)resolver;
-  gpr_mu_lock(&r->mu);
   if (r->next_completion != NULL) {
     *r->target_result = NULL;
     grpc_closure_sched(exec_ctx, r->next_completion, GRPC_ERROR_NONE);
     r->next_completion = NULL;
   }
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&r->mu);
 }
 
-static void sockaddr_channel_saw_error(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                       grpc_resolver *resolver) {
+static void sockaddr_channel_saw_error_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                              grpc_resolver *resolver) {
   sockaddr_resolver *r = (sockaddr_resolver *)resolver;
-  gpr_mu_lock(&r->mu);
   r->published = false;
   sockaddr_maybe_finish_next_locked(exec_ctx, r);
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&r->mu);
 }
 
-static void sockaddr_next(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver,
-                          grpc_channel_args **target_result,
-                          grpc_closure *on_complete) {
+static void sockaddr_next_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                 grpc_resolver *resolver,
+                                 grpc_channel_args **target_result,
+                                 grpc_closure *on_complete) {
   sockaddr_resolver *r = (sockaddr_resolver *)resolver;
-  gpr_mu_lock(&r->mu);
   GPR_ASSERT(!r->next_completion);
   r->next_completion = on_complete;
   r->target_result = target_result;
   sockaddr_maybe_finish_next_locked(exec_ctx, r);
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&r->mu);
 }
 
 static void sockaddr_maybe_finish_next_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
@@ -131,7 +127,7 @@ static void sockaddr_maybe_finish_next_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
 
 static void sockaddr_destroy(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *gr) {
   sockaddr_resolver *r = (sockaddr_resolver *)gr;
-  gpr_mu_destroy(&r->mu);
+  grpc_combiner_unref(exec_ctx, r->combiner);
   grpc_lb_addresses_destroy(exec_ctx, r->addresses);
   grpc_channel_args_destroy(exec_ctx, r->channel_args);
   gpr_free(r);
@@ -201,7 +197,7 @@ static grpc_resolver *sockaddr_create(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   memset(r, 0, sizeof(*r));
   r->addresses = addresses;
   r->channel_args = grpc_channel_args_copy(args->args);
-  gpr_mu_init(&r->mu);
+  r->combiner = grpc_combiner_ref(args->combiner);
   grpc_resolver_init(&r->base, &sockaddr_resolver_vtable);
   return &r->base;
 }
diff --git a/src/core/lib/transport/connectivity_state.c b/src/core/lib/transport/connectivity_state.c
index 8fc5bf3e9a..afe1f6164d 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/transport/connectivity_state.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/transport/connectivity_state.c
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ const char *grpc_connectivity_state_name(grpc_connectivity_state state) {
 void grpc_connectivity_state_init(grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker,
                                   grpc_connectivity_state init_state,
                                   const char *name) {
-  tracker->current_state = init_state;
+  gpr_atm_no_barrier_store(&tracker->current_state_atm, init_state);
   tracker->current_error = GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
   tracker->watchers = NULL;
   tracker->name = gpr_strdup(name);
@@ -89,15 +89,30 @@ void grpc_connectivity_state_destroy(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
 }
 
 grpc_connectivity_state grpc_connectivity_state_check(
+    grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker) {
+  grpc_connectivity_state cur =
+      (grpc_connectivity_state)gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(
+          &tracker->current_state_atm);
+  if (grpc_connectivity_state_trace) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "CONWATCH: %p %s: get %s", tracker, tracker->name,
+            grpc_connectivity_state_name(cur));
+  }
+  return cur;
+}
+
+grpc_connectivity_state grpc_connectivity_state_get(
     grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker, grpc_error **error) {
+  grpc_connectivity_state cur =
+      (grpc_connectivity_state)gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(
+          &tracker->current_state_atm);
   if (grpc_connectivity_state_trace) {
     gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "CONWATCH: %p %s: get %s", tracker, tracker->name,
-            grpc_connectivity_state_name(tracker->current_state));
+            grpc_connectivity_state_name(cur));
   }
   if (error != NULL) {
     *error = GRPC_ERROR_REF(tracker->current_error);
   }
-  return tracker->current_state;
+  return cur;
 }
 
 bool grpc_connectivity_state_has_watchers(
@@ -108,6 +123,9 @@ bool grpc_connectivity_state_has_watchers(
 bool grpc_connectivity_state_notify_on_state_change(
     grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker,
     grpc_connectivity_state *current, grpc_closure *notify) {
+  grpc_connectivity_state cur =
+      (grpc_connectivity_state)gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(
+          &tracker->current_state_atm);
   if (grpc_connectivity_state_trace) {
     if (current == NULL) {
       gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "CONWATCH: %p %s: unsubscribe notify=%p", tracker,
@@ -115,7 +133,7 @@ bool grpc_connectivity_state_notify_on_state_change(
     } else {
       gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "CONWATCH: %p %s: from %s [cur=%s] notify=%p", tracker,
               tracker->name, grpc_connectivity_state_name(*current),
-              grpc_connectivity_state_name(tracker->current_state), notify);
+              grpc_connectivity_state_name(cur), notify);
     }
   }
   if (current == NULL) {
@@ -138,8 +156,8 @@ bool grpc_connectivity_state_notify_on_state_change(
     }
     return false;
   } else {
-    if (tracker->current_state != *current) {
-      *current = tracker->current_state;
+    if (cur != *current) {
+      *current = cur;
       grpc_closure_sched(exec_ctx, notify,
                          GRPC_ERROR_REF(tracker->current_error));
     } else {
@@ -149,7 +167,7 @@ bool grpc_connectivity_state_notify_on_state_change(
       w->next = tracker->watchers;
       tracker->watchers = w;
     }
-    return tracker->current_state == GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE;
+    return cur == GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE;
   }
 }
 
@@ -157,11 +175,14 @@ void grpc_connectivity_state_set(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                  grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker,
                                  grpc_connectivity_state state,
                                  grpc_error *error, const char *reason) {
+  grpc_connectivity_state cur =
+      (grpc_connectivity_state)gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(
+          &tracker->current_state_atm);
   grpc_connectivity_state_watcher *w;
   if (grpc_connectivity_state_trace) {
     const char *error_string = grpc_error_string(error);
     gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "SET: %p %s: %s --> %s [%s] error=%p %s", tracker,
-            tracker->name, grpc_connectivity_state_name(tracker->current_state),
+            tracker->name, grpc_connectivity_state_name(cur),
             grpc_connectivity_state_name(state), reason, error, error_string);
   }
   switch (state) {
@@ -178,13 +199,13 @@ void grpc_connectivity_state_set(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   }
   GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(tracker->current_error);
   tracker->current_error = error;
-  if (tracker->current_state == state) {
+  if (cur == state) {
     return;
   }
-  GPR_ASSERT(tracker->current_state != GRPC_CHANNEL_SHUTDOWN);
-  tracker->current_state = state;
+  GPR_ASSERT(cur != GRPC_CHANNEL_SHUTDOWN);
+  gpr_atm_no_barrier_store(&tracker->current_state_atm, state);
   while ((w = tracker->watchers) != NULL) {
-    *w->current = tracker->current_state;
+    *w->current = state;
     tracker->watchers = w->next;
     if (grpc_connectivity_state_trace) {
       gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "NOTIFY: %p %s: %p", tracker, tracker->name,
diff --git a/src/core/lib/transport/connectivity_state.h b/src/core/lib/transport/connectivity_state.h
index 769c675b79..c9604c34dd 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/transport/connectivity_state.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/transport/connectivity_state.h
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ typedef struct grpc_connectivity_state_watcher {
 } grpc_connectivity_state_watcher;
 
 typedef struct {
-  /** current connectivity state */
-  grpc_connectivity_state current_state;
+  /** current grpc_connectivity_state */
+  gpr_atm current_state_atm;
   /** error associated with state */
   grpc_error *current_error;
   /** all our watchers */
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ typedef struct {
 
 extern int grpc_connectivity_state_trace;
 
+/** enum --> string conversion */
 const char *grpc_connectivity_state_name(grpc_connectivity_state state);
 
 void grpc_connectivity_state_init(grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker,
@@ -68,22 +69,31 @@ void grpc_connectivity_state_destroy(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                      grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker);
 
 /** Set connectivity state; not thread safe; access must be serialized with an
- * external lock */
+ *  external lock */
 void grpc_connectivity_state_set(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                  grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker,
                                  grpc_connectivity_state state,
                                  grpc_error *associated_error,
                                  const char *reason);
 
+/** Return true if this connectivity state has watchers.
+    Access must be serialized with an external lock. */
 bool grpc_connectivity_state_has_watchers(
     grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker);
 
+/** Return the last seen connectivity state. No need to synchronize access. */
 grpc_connectivity_state grpc_connectivity_state_check(
-    grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker, grpc_error **current_error);
+    grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker);
+
+/** Return the last seen connectivity state, and the associated error.
+    Access must be serialized with an external lock. */
+grpc_connectivity_state grpc_connectivity_state_get(
+    grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker, grpc_error **error);
 
 /** Return 1 if the channel should start connecting, 0 otherwise.
     If current==NULL cancel notify if it is already queued (success==0 in that
-    case) */
+    case).
+    Access must be serialized with an external lock. */
 bool grpc_connectivity_state_notify_on_state_change(
     grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_connectivity_state_tracker *tracker,
     grpc_connectivity_state *current, grpc_closure *notify);