Worked on the geerlingguy/linux repository to improve stability and memory safety within the Appletalk networking stack. Focused on kernel development and memory management using C, the work addressed a device reference count leak in the atrtr_create function. By ensuring the old device reference was properly released before assigning a new one, the fix reduced the risk of memory leaks and enhanced system reliability under load. The solution was validated through targeted testing and code review, confirming that all leak paths were eliminated. This contribution aligned with ongoing efforts to harden networking code and prevent future stability regressions in the kernel.