diff --git a/ndb/include/kernel/signaldata/CreateTable.hpp b/ndb/include/kernel/signaldata/CreateTable.hpp
index 424367f28d5..67e510d2ed0 100644
--- a/ndb/include/kernel/signaldata/CreateTable.hpp
+++ b/ndb/include/kernel/signaldata/CreateTable.hpp
@@ -89,7 +89,8 @@ public:
     ArraySizeTooBig = 737,
     RecordTooBig = 738,
     InvalidPrimaryKeySize  = 739,
-    NullablePrimaryKey = 740
+    NullablePrimaryKey = 740,
+    InvalidCharset = 743
   };
 
 private:
diff --git a/ndb/include/kernel/signaldata/LqhFrag.hpp b/ndb/include/kernel/signaldata/LqhFrag.hpp
index 116e9c01ca0..13dfafcc653 100644
--- a/ndb/include/kernel/signaldata/LqhFrag.hpp
+++ b/ndb/include/kernel/signaldata/LqhFrag.hpp
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ private:
   Uint32 keyLength;
   Uint32 nextLCP;
   Uint32 noOfKeyAttr;
-  Uint32 noOfNewAttr;
+  Uint32 noOfNewAttr;           // noOfCharsets in upper half
   Uint32 checksumIndicator;
   Uint32 noOfAttributeGroups;
   Uint32 GCPIndicator;
diff --git a/ndb/include/kernel/signaldata/TupFrag.hpp b/ndb/include/kernel/signaldata/TupFrag.hpp
index c0ce22651aa..c1e861c5dff 100644
--- a/ndb/include/kernel/signaldata/TupFrag.hpp
+++ b/ndb/include/kernel/signaldata/TupFrag.hpp
@@ -119,12 +119,13 @@ class TupAddAttrReq {
   friend class Dblqh;
   friend class Dbtux;
 public:
-  STATIC_CONST( SignalLength = 4 );
+  STATIC_CONST( SignalLength = 5 );
 private:
   Uint32 tupConnectPtr;
   Uint32 notused1;
   Uint32 attrId;
   Uint32 attrDescriptor;
+  Uint32 extTypeInfo;
 };
 
 class TupAddAttrConf {
@@ -141,6 +142,10 @@ class TupAddAttrRef {
   friend class Dbtup;
 public:
   STATIC_CONST( SignalLength = 2 );
+  enum ErrorCode {
+    NoError = 0,
+    InvalidCharset = 743
+  };
 private:
   Uint32 userPtr;
   Uint32 errorCode;
@@ -178,7 +183,8 @@ public:
   STATIC_CONST( SignalLength = 2 );
   enum ErrorCode {
     NoError = 0,
-    InvalidAttributeType = 831,
+    InvalidAttributeType = 742,
+    InvalidCharset = 743,
     InvalidNodeSize = 832
   };
 private:
diff --git a/ndb/include/util/NdbSqlUtil.hpp b/ndb/include/util/NdbSqlUtil.hpp
index df1cb716f93..00216057d58 100644
--- a/ndb/include/util/NdbSqlUtil.hpp
+++ b/ndb/include/util/NdbSqlUtil.hpp
@@ -90,6 +90,11 @@ public:
    */
   static const Type& getType(Uint32 typeId);
 
+  /**
+   * Get type by id but replace char type by corresponding binary type.
+   */
+  static const Type& getTypeBinary(Uint32 typeId);
+
   /**
    * Check character set.
    */
diff --git a/ndb/src/common/util/NdbSqlUtil.cpp b/ndb/src/common/util/NdbSqlUtil.cpp
index afb9bcfff62..ffcf29a7242 100644
--- a/ndb/src/common/util/NdbSqlUtil.cpp
+++ b/ndb/src/common/util/NdbSqlUtil.cpp
@@ -176,6 +176,25 @@ NdbSqlUtil::getType(Uint32 typeId)
   return m_typeList[Type::Undefined];
 }
 
+const NdbSqlUtil::Type&
+NdbSqlUtil::getTypeBinary(Uint32 typeId)
+{
+  switch (typeId) {
+  case Type::Char:
+    typeId = Type::Binary;
+    break;
+  case Type::Varchar:
+    typeId = Type::Varbinary; 
+    break;
+  case Type::Text:
+    typeId = Type::Blob;
+    break;
+  default:
+    break;
+  }
+  return getType(typeId);
+}
+
 // compare
 
 int
diff --git a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbdict/Dbdict.cpp b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbdict/Dbdict.cpp
index d82083684b7..4757f1d2bf3 100644
--- a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbdict/Dbdict.cpp
+++ b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbdict/Dbdict.cpp
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
    Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA */
 
 #include <ndb_global.h>
+#include <my_sys.h>
 
 #define DBDICT_C
 #include "Dbdict.hpp"
@@ -4100,6 +4101,8 @@ Dbdict::execADD_FRAGREQ(Signal* signal) {
 
     req->noOfKeyAttr = tabPtr.p->noOfPrimkey;
     req->noOfNewAttr = 0;
+    // noOfCharsets passed to TUP in upper half
+    req->noOfNewAttr |= (tabPtr.p->noOfCharsets << 16);
     req->checksumIndicator = 1;
     req->noOfAttributeGroups = 1;
     req->GCPIndicator = 0;
@@ -4161,6 +4164,8 @@ Dbdict::sendLQHADDATTRREQ(Signal* signal,
     entry.attrId = attrPtr.p->attributeId;
     entry.attrDescriptor = attrPtr.p->attributeDescriptor;
     entry.extTypeInfo = attrPtr.p->extType;
+    // charset number passed to TUP, TUX in upper half
+    entry.extTypeInfo |= (attrPtr.p->extPrecision & ~0xFFFF);
     if (tabPtr.p->isIndex()) {
       Uint32 primaryAttrId;
       if (attrPtr.p->nextAttrInTable != RNIL) {
@@ -4697,6 +4702,8 @@ void Dbdict::handleTabInfo(SimpleProperties::Reader & it,
   Uint32 keyLength = 0;
   Uint32 attrCount = tablePtr.p->noOfAttributes;
   Uint32 nullCount = 0;
+  Uint32 noOfCharsets = 0;
+  Uint16 charsets[128];
   Uint32 recordLength = 0;
   AttributeRecordPtr attrPtr;
   c_attributeRecordHash.removeAll();
@@ -4751,6 +4758,31 @@ void Dbdict::handleTabInfo(SimpleProperties::Reader & it,
     attrPtr.p->extPrecision = attrDesc.AttributeExtPrecision;
     attrPtr.p->extScale = attrDesc.AttributeExtScale;
     attrPtr.p->extLength = attrDesc.AttributeExtLength;
+    // charset in upper half of precision
+    unsigned csNumber = (attrPtr.p->extPrecision >> 16);
+    if (csNumber != 0) {
+      CHARSET_INFO* cs = get_charset(csNumber, MYF(0));
+      if (cs == NULL) {
+        parseP->errorCode = CreateTableRef::InvalidCharset;
+        parseP->errorLine = __LINE__;
+        return;
+      }
+      unsigned i = 0;
+      while (i < noOfCharsets) {
+        if (charsets[i] == csNumber)
+          break;
+        i++;
+      }
+      if (i == noOfCharsets) {
+        noOfCharsets++;
+        if (noOfCharsets > sizeof(charsets)/sizeof(charsets[0])) {
+          parseP->errorCode = CreateTableRef::InvalidFormat;
+          parseP->errorLine = __LINE__;
+          return;
+        }
+        charsets[i] = csNumber;
+      }
+    }
 
     /**
      * Ignore incoming old-style type and recompute it.
@@ -4814,6 +4846,7 @@ void Dbdict::handleTabInfo(SimpleProperties::Reader & it,
   
   tablePtr.p->noOfPrimkey = keyCount;
   tablePtr.p->noOfNullAttr = nullCount;
+  tablePtr.p->noOfCharsets = noOfCharsets;
   tablePtr.p->tupKeyLength = keyLength;
 
   tabRequire(recordLength<= MAX_TUPLE_SIZE_IN_WORDS, 
diff --git a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dblqh/Dblqh.hpp b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dblqh/Dblqh.hpp
index 5ddaa67a7d6..a94af7b59c8 100644
--- a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dblqh/Dblqh.hpp
+++ b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dblqh/Dblqh.hpp
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ public:
     Uint16 totalAttrReceived;
     Uint16 fragCopyCreation;
     Uint16 noOfKeyAttr;
-    Uint16 noOfNewAttr;
+    Uint32 noOfNewAttr; // noOfCharsets in upper half
     Uint16 noOfAttributeGroups;
     Uint16 lh3DistrBits;
     Uint16 tableType;
diff --git a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dblqh/DblqhMain.cpp b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dblqh/DblqhMain.cpp
index 3b05a133bbb..467df4aca3d 100644
--- a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dblqh/DblqhMain.cpp
+++ b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dblqh/DblqhMain.cpp
@@ -1444,6 +1444,7 @@ Dblqh::sendAddAttrReq(Signal* signal)
       tupreq->notused1 = 0;
       tupreq->attrId = attrId;
       tupreq->attrDescriptor = entry.attrDescriptor;
+      tupreq->extTypeInfo = entry.extTypeInfo;
       sendSignal(fragptr.p->tupBlockref, GSN_TUP_ADD_ATTRREQ,
           signal, TupAddAttrReq::SignalLength, JBB);
       return;
diff --git a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/AttributeOffset.hpp b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/AttributeOffset.hpp
index 0f3881e9024..2c62adab3e5 100644
--- a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/AttributeOffset.hpp
+++ b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/AttributeOffset.hpp
@@ -22,26 +22,59 @@ class AttributeOffset {
   
 private:
   static void   setOffset(Uint32 & desc, Uint32 offset);
+  static void   setCharsetPos(Uint32 & desc, Uint32 offset);
   static void   setNullFlagPos(Uint32 & desc, Uint32 offset);
 
   static Uint32 getOffset(const Uint32 &);
+  static bool   getCharsetFlag(const Uint32 &);
+  static Uint32 getCharsetPos(const Uint32 &);
   static Uint32 getNullFlagPos(const Uint32 &);
   static Uint32 getNullFlagOffset(const Uint32 &);
   static Uint32 getNullFlagBitOffset(const Uint32 &);
   static bool   isNULL(const Uint32 &, const Uint32 &);
 };
 
-#define AO_ATTRIBUTE_OFFSET_MASK  (0xffff)
-#define AO_NULL_FLAG_POS_MASK     (0x7ff)
-#define AO_NULL_FLAG_POS_SHIFT    (21)
-#define AO_NULL_FLAG_WORD_MASK    (31)
-#define AO_NULL_FLAG_OFFSET_SHIFT (5)
+/**
+ * Allow for 4096 attributes, all nullable, and for 128 different
+ * character sets.
+ *
+ * a = Attribute offset         - 11 bits  0-10 ( addr word in 8 kb )
+ * c = Has charset flag           1  bits 11-11
+ * s = Charset pointer position - 7  bits 12-18 ( in table descriptor )
+ * f = Null flag offset in word - 5  bits 20-24 ( address 32 bits )
+ * w = Null word offset         - 7  bits 25-32 ( f+w addr 4096 attrs )
+ *
+ *           1111111111222222222233
+ * 01234567890123456789012345678901
+ * aaaaaaaaaaacsssssss fffffwwwwwww
+ */
+
+#define AO_ATTRIBUTE_OFFSET_SHIFT       0
+#define AO_ATTRIBUTE_OFFSET_MASK        0x7ff
+
+#define AO_CHARSET_FLAG_SHIFT           11
+#define AO_CHARSET_POS_SHIFT            12
+#define AO_CHARSET_POS_MASK             127
+
+#define AO_NULL_FLAG_POS_MASK           0xfff   // f+w
+#define AO_NULL_FLAG_POS_SHIFT          20
+
+#define AO_NULL_FLAG_WORD_MASK          31      // f
+#define AO_NULL_FLAG_OFFSET_SHIFT       5
 
 inline
 void
 AttributeOffset::setOffset(Uint32 & desc, Uint32 offset){
   ASSERT_MAX(offset, AO_ATTRIBUTE_OFFSET_MASK, "AttributeOffset::setOffset");
-  desc |= offset;
+  desc |= (offset << AO_ATTRIBUTE_OFFSET_SHIFT);
+}
+
+inline
+void
+AttributeOffset::setCharsetPos(Uint32 & desc, Uint32 offset) {
+  ASSERT_MAX(offset, AO_CHARSET_POS_MASK, "AttributeOffset::setCharsetPos");
+  desc |= (1 << AO_CHARSET_FLAG_SHIFT);
+  desc |= (offset << AO_CHARSET_POS_SHIFT);
 }
 
 inline
@@ -55,7 +88,21 @@ inline
 Uint32
 AttributeOffset::getOffset(const Uint32 & desc)
 {
-  return desc & AO_ATTRIBUTE_OFFSET_MASK;
+  return (desc >> AO_ATTRIBUTE_OFFSET_SHIFT) & AO_ATTRIBUTE_OFFSET_MASK;
+}
+
+inline
+bool
+AttributeOffset::getCharsetFlag(const Uint32 & desc)
+{
+  return (desc >> AO_CHARSET_FLAG_SHIFT) & 1;
+}
+
+inline
+Uint32
+AttributeOffset::getCharsetPos(const Uint32 & desc)
+{
+  return (desc >> AO_CHARSET_POS_SHIFT) & AO_CHARSET_POS_MASK;
 }
 
 inline 
diff --git a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/Dbtup.hpp b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/Dbtup.hpp
index cb7e35ea73e..a36c73ec09a 100644
--- a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/Dbtup.hpp
+++ b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/Dbtup.hpp
@@ -502,6 +502,7 @@ struct Fragoperrec {
   Uint32 attributeCount;
   Uint32 freeNullBit;
   Uint32 noOfNewAttrCount;
+  Uint32 charsetIndex;
   BlockReference lqhBlockrefFrag;
 };
 typedef Ptr<Fragoperrec> FragoperrecPtr;
@@ -785,6 +786,7 @@ struct Tablerec {
 
   ReadFunction* readFunctionArray;
   UpdateFunction* updateFunctionArray;
+  CHARSET_INFO** charsetArray;
 
   Uint32 readKeyArray;
   Uint32 tabDescriptor;
@@ -796,6 +798,7 @@ struct Tablerec {
   Uint16 tupheadsize;
   Uint16 noOfAttr;
   Uint16 noOfKeyAttr;
+  Uint16 noOfCharsets;
   Uint16 noOfNewAttr;
   Uint16 noOfNullAttr;
   Uint16 noOfAttributeGroups;
@@ -1909,7 +1912,8 @@ private:
   void updatePackedList(Signal* signal, Uint16 ahostIndex);
 
   void setUpDescriptorReferences(Uint32 descriptorReference,
-                                 Tablerec* const regTabPtr);
+                                 Tablerec* const regTabPtr,
+                                 const Uint32* offset);
   void setUpKeyArray(Tablerec* const regTabPtr);
   bool addfragtotab(Tablerec* const regTabPtr, Uint32 fragId, Uint32 fragIndex);
   void deleteFragTab(Tablerec* const regTabPtr, Uint32 fragId);
@@ -2098,7 +2102,8 @@ private:
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 // Public methods
-  Uint32 allocTabDescr(Uint32 noOfAttributes, Uint32 noOfKeyAttr, Uint32 noOfAttributeGroups);
+  Uint32 getTabDescrOffsets(const Tablerec* regTabPtr, Uint32* offset);
+  Uint32 allocTabDescr(const Tablerec* regTabPtr, Uint32* offset);
   void freeTabDescr(Uint32 retRef, Uint32 retNo);
   Uint32 getTabDescrWord(Uint32 index);
   void setTabDescrWord(Uint32 index, Uint32 word);
diff --git a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/DbtupGen.cpp b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/DbtupGen.cpp
index 1e57f127fbc..f3391ff7b59 100644
--- a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/DbtupGen.cpp
+++ b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/DbtupGen.cpp
@@ -1067,6 +1067,7 @@ Dbtup::initTab(Tablerec* const regTabPtr)
   }//for
   regTabPtr->readFunctionArray = NULL;
   regTabPtr->updateFunctionArray = NULL;
+  regTabPtr->charsetArray = NULL;
 
   regTabPtr->tabDescriptor = RNIL;
   regTabPtr->attributeGroupDescriptor = RNIL;
diff --git a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/DbtupMeta.cpp b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/DbtupMeta.cpp
index 09889a51fa3..dc04650cd1b 100644
--- a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/DbtupMeta.cpp
+++ b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/DbtupMeta.cpp
@@ -20,12 +20,14 @@
 #include <RefConvert.hpp>
 #include <ndb_limits.h>
 #include <pc.hpp>
+#include <signaldata/TupFrag.hpp>
 #include <signaldata/FsConf.hpp>
 #include <signaldata/FsRemoveReq.hpp>
 #include <signaldata/DropTab.hpp>
 #include <signaldata/AlterTab.hpp>
 #include <AttributeDescriptor.hpp>
 #include "AttributeOffset.hpp"
+#include <my_sys.h>
 
 #define ljam() { jamLine(20000 + __LINE__); }
 #define ljamEntry() { jamEntryLine(20000 + __LINE__); }
@@ -52,7 +54,10 @@ void Dbtup::execTUPFRAGREQ(Signal* signal)
   /*  Uint32 schemaVersion = signal->theData[8];*/
   Uint32 noOfKeyAttr = signal->theData[9];
 
-  Uint32 noOfNewAttr = signal->theData[10];
+  Uint32 noOfNewAttr = (signal->theData[10] & 0xFFFF);
+  /* DICT sends number of character sets in upper half */
+  Uint32 noOfCharsets = (signal->theData[10] >> 16);
+
   Uint32 checksumIndicator = signal->theData[11];
   Uint32 noOfAttributeGroups = signal->theData[12];
   Uint32 globalCheckpointIdIndicator = signal->theData[13];
@@ -75,6 +80,7 @@ void Dbtup::execTUPFRAGREQ(Signal* signal)
   fragOperPtr.p->attributeCount = noOfAttributes;
   fragOperPtr.p->freeNullBit = noOfNullAttr;
   fragOperPtr.p->noOfNewAttrCount = noOfNewAttr;
+  fragOperPtr.p->charsetIndex = 0;
 
   ndbrequire(reqinfo == ZADDFRAG);
 
@@ -156,6 +162,7 @@ void Dbtup::execTUPFRAGREQ(Signal* signal)
     regTabPtr.p->tupheadsize = regTabPtr.p->tupGCPIndex;
 
     regTabPtr.p->noOfKeyAttr = noOfKeyAttr;
+    regTabPtr.p->noOfCharsets = noOfCharsets;
     regTabPtr.p->noOfAttr = noOfAttributes;
     regTabPtr.p->noOfNewAttr = noOfNewAttr;
     regTabPtr.p->noOfNullAttr = noOfNullAttr;
@@ -163,13 +170,14 @@ void Dbtup::execTUPFRAGREQ(Signal* signal)
 
     regTabPtr.p->notNullAttributeMask.clear();
 
-    Uint32 tableDescriptorRef = allocTabDescr(noOfAttributes, noOfKeyAttr, noOfAttributeGroups);
+    Uint32 offset[10];
+    Uint32 tableDescriptorRef = allocTabDescr(regTabPtr.p, offset);
     if (tableDescriptorRef == RNIL) {
       ljam();
       fragrefuse4Lab(signal, fragOperPtr, regFragPtr, regTabPtr.p, fragId);
       return;
     }//if
-    setUpDescriptorReferences(tableDescriptorRef, regTabPtr.p);
+    setUpDescriptorReferences(tableDescriptorRef, regTabPtr.p, offset);
   } else {
     ljam();
     fragOperPtr.p->definingFragment = false;
@@ -251,6 +259,9 @@ void Dbtup::execTUP_ADD_ATTRREQ(Signal* signal)
   ptrCheckGuard(fragOperPtr, cnoOfFragoprec, fragoperrec);
   Uint32 attrId = signal->theData[2];
   Uint32 attrDescriptor = signal->theData[3];
+  // DICT sends extended type (ignored) and charset number
+  Uint32 extType = (signal->theData[4] & 0xFF);
+  Uint32 csNumber = (signal->theData[4] >> 16);
 
   regTabPtr.i = fragOperPtr.p->tableidFrag;
   ptrCheckGuard(regTabPtr, cnoOfTablerec, tablerec);
@@ -304,6 +315,29 @@ void Dbtup::execTUP_ADD_ATTRREQ(Signal* signal)
     } else {
       ndbrequire(false);
     }//if
+    if (csNumber != 0) { 
+      CHARSET_INFO* cs = get_charset(csNumber, MYF(0));
+      if (cs == NULL) {
+        ljam();
+        terrorCode = TupAddAttrRef::InvalidCharset;
+        addattrrefuseLab(signal, regFragPtr, fragOperPtr, regTabPtr.p, fragId);
+        return;
+      }
+      Uint32 i = 0;
+      while (i < fragOperPtr.p->charsetIndex) {
+        ljam();
+        if (regTabPtr.p->charsetArray[i] == cs)
+          break;
+        i++;
+      }
+      if (i == fragOperPtr.p->charsetIndex) {
+        ljam();
+        ndbrequire(i < regTabPtr.p->noOfCharsets);
+        regTabPtr.p->charsetArray[i] = cs;
+        AttributeOffset::setCharsetPos(attrDes2, i);
+        fragOperPtr.p->charsetIndex++;
+      }
+    }
     setTabDescrWord(firstTabDesIndex + 1, attrDes2);
 
     if (regTabPtr.p->tupheadsize > MAX_TUPLE_SIZE_IN_WORDS) {
@@ -340,20 +374,28 @@ void Dbtup::execTUP_ADD_ATTRREQ(Signal* signal)
   return;
 }//Dbtup::execTUP_ADD_ATTRREQ()
 
-void Dbtup::setUpDescriptorReferences(Uint32 descriptorReference,
-                                      Tablerec* const regTabPtr)
-{
-  Uint32 noOfAttributes = regTabPtr->noOfAttr;
-  descriptorReference += ZTD_SIZE;
-  ReadFunction * tmp = (ReadFunction*)&tableDescriptor[descriptorReference].tabDescr;
-  regTabPtr->readFunctionArray = tmp;
-  regTabPtr->updateFunctionArray = (UpdateFunction*)(tmp + noOfAttributes);
+/*
+ * Descriptor has these parts:
+ *
+ * 0 readFunctionArray ( one for each attribute )
+ * 1 updateFunctionArray ( ditto )
+ * 2 charsetArray ( pointers to distinct CHARSET_INFO )
+ * 3 readKeyArray ( attribute ids of keys )
+ * 4 attributeGroupDescriptor ( currently size 1 but unused )
+ * 5 tabDescriptor ( attribute descriptors, each ZAD_SIZE )
+ */
 
-  TableDescriptor * start = &tableDescriptor[descriptorReference];
-  TableDescriptor * end = (TableDescriptor*)(tmp + 2 * noOfAttributes);
-  regTabPtr->readKeyArray = descriptorReference + (end - start);
-  regTabPtr->attributeGroupDescriptor = regTabPtr->readKeyArray + regTabPtr->noOfKeyAttr;
-  regTabPtr->tabDescriptor = regTabPtr->attributeGroupDescriptor + regTabPtr->noOfAttributeGroups;
+void Dbtup::setUpDescriptorReferences(Uint32 descriptorReference,
+                                      Tablerec* const regTabPtr,
+                                      const Uint32* offset)
+{
+  Uint32* desc = &tableDescriptor[descriptorReference].tabDescr;
+  regTabPtr->readFunctionArray = (ReadFunction*)(desc + offset[0]);
+  regTabPtr->updateFunctionArray = (UpdateFunction*)(desc + offset[1]);
+  regTabPtr->charsetArray = (CHARSET_INFO**)(desc + offset[2]);
+  regTabPtr->readKeyArray = descriptorReference + offset[3];
+  regTabPtr->attributeGroupDescriptor = descriptorReference + offset[4];
+  regTabPtr->tabDescriptor = descriptorReference + offset[5];
 }//Dbtup::setUpDescriptorReferences()
 
 Uint32
@@ -491,14 +533,18 @@ void Dbtup::releaseTabDescr(Tablerec* const regTabPtr)
   Uint32 descriptor = regTabPtr->readKeyArray;
   if (descriptor != RNIL) {
     ljam();
+    Uint32 offset[10];
+    getTabDescrOffsets(regTabPtr, offset);
+
     regTabPtr->tabDescriptor = RNIL;
     regTabPtr->readKeyArray = RNIL;
     regTabPtr->readFunctionArray = NULL;
     regTabPtr->updateFunctionArray = NULL;
+    regTabPtr->charsetArray = NULL;
     regTabPtr->attributeGroupDescriptor= RNIL;
 
-    Uint32 sizeFunctionArrays = 2 * (regTabPtr->noOfAttr * sizeOfReadFunction());
-    descriptor -= (sizeFunctionArrays + ZTD_SIZE);
+    // move to start of descriptor
+    descriptor -= offset[3];
     Uint32 retNo = getTabDescrWord(descriptor + ZTD_DATASIZE);
     ndbrequire(getTabDescrWord(descriptor + ZTD_HEADER) == ZTD_TYPE_NORMAL);
     ndbrequire(retNo == getTabDescrWord((descriptor + retNo) - ZTD_TR_SIZE));
diff --git a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/DbtupTabDesMan.cpp b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/DbtupTabDesMan.cpp
index d31ab43f108..642ba270760 100644
--- a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/DbtupTabDesMan.cpp
+++ b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtup/DbtupTabDesMan.cpp
@@ -31,12 +31,33 @@
 /* memory attached to fragments (could be allocated per table       */
 /* instead. Performs its task by a buddy algorithm.                 */
 /* **************************************************************** */
-Uint32 Dbtup::allocTabDescr(Uint32 noOfAttributes, Uint32 noOfKeyAttr, Uint32 noOfAttributeGroups) 
+
+Uint32
+Dbtup::getTabDescrOffsets(const Tablerec* regTabPtr, Uint32* offset)
+{
+  // belongs to configure.in
+  unsigned sizeOfPointer = sizeof(CHARSET_INFO*);
+  ndbrequire((sizeOfPointer & 0x3) == 0);
+  sizeOfPointer = (sizeOfPointer >> 2);
+  // do in layout order and return offsets (see DbtupMeta.cpp)
+  Uint32 allocSize = 0;
+  // magically aligned to 8 bytes
+  offset[0] = allocSize += ZTD_SIZE;
+  offset[1] = allocSize += regTabPtr->noOfAttr * sizeOfReadFunction();
+  offset[2] = allocSize += regTabPtr->noOfAttr * sizeOfReadFunction();
+  offset[3] = allocSize += regTabPtr->noOfCharsets * sizeOfPointer;
+  offset[4] = allocSize += regTabPtr->noOfKeyAttr;
+  offset[5] = allocSize += regTabPtr->noOfAttributeGroups;
+  allocSize += regTabPtr->noOfAttr * ZAD_SIZE;
+  allocSize += ZTD_TRAILER_SIZE;
+  // return number of words
+  return allocSize;
+}
+
+Uint32 Dbtup::allocTabDescr(const Tablerec* regTabPtr, Uint32* offset)
 {
   Uint32 reference = RNIL;
-  Uint32 allocSize = (ZTD_SIZE + ZTD_TRAILER_SIZE) + (noOfAttributes * ZAD_SIZE);
-  allocSize += noOfAttributeGroups;
-  allocSize += ((2 * noOfAttributes * sizeOfReadFunction()) + noOfKeyAttr);
+  Uint32 allocSize = getTabDescrOffsets(regTabPtr, offset);
 /* ---------------------------------------------------------------- */
 /*       ALWAYS ALLOCATE A MULTIPLE OF 16 BYTES                     */
 /* ---------------------------------------------------------------- */
diff --git a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtux/Dbtux.hpp b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtux/Dbtux.hpp
index 36ac20611bb..66f9717a478 100644
--- a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtux/Dbtux.hpp
+++ b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtux/Dbtux.hpp
@@ -330,11 +330,15 @@ private:
 
   /*
    * Attribute metadata.  Size must be multiple of word size.
+   *
+   * Prefix comparison of char data must use strxfrm and binary
+   * comparison.  The charset is currently unused.
    */
   struct DescAttr {
     Uint32 m_attrDesc;          // standard AttributeDescriptor
     Uint16 m_primaryAttrId;
-    Uint16 m_typeId;
+    unsigned m_typeId : 6;
+    unsigned m_charset : 10;
   };
   static const unsigned DescAttrSize = sizeof(DescAttr) >> 2;
 
diff --git a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtux/DbtuxMeta.cpp b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtux/DbtuxMeta.cpp
index 4bb3b940d91..3c0af3ca79d 100644
--- a/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtux/DbtuxMeta.cpp
+++ b/ndb/src/kernel/blocks/dbtux/DbtuxMeta.cpp
@@ -178,19 +178,31 @@ Dbtux::execTUX_ADD_ATTRREQ(Signal* signal)
     descAttr.m_attrDesc = req->attrDescriptor;
     descAttr.m_primaryAttrId = req->primaryAttrId;
     descAttr.m_typeId = req->extTypeInfo & 0xFF;
+    descAttr.m_charset = (req->extTypeInfo >> 16);
 #ifdef VM_TRACE
     if (debugFlags & DebugMeta) {
       debugOut << "Add frag " << fragPtr.i << " attr " << attrId << " " << descAttr << endl;
     }
 #endif
-    // check if type is valid and has a comparison method
-    const NdbSqlUtil::Type& type = NdbSqlUtil::getType(descAttr.m_typeId);
+    // check that type is valid and has a binary comparison method
+    const NdbSqlUtil::Type& type = NdbSqlUtil::getTypeBinary(descAttr.m_typeId);
     if (type.m_typeId == NdbSqlUtil::Type::Undefined ||
         type.m_cmp == 0) {
       jam();
       errorCode = TuxAddAttrRef::InvalidAttributeType;
       break;
     }
+#ifdef dbtux_uses_charset
+    if (descAttr.m_charset != 0) {
+      CHARSET_INFO *cs = get_charset(descAttr.m_charset, MYF(0));
+      // here use the non-binary type
+      if (! NdbSqlUtil::usable_in_ordered_index(descAttr.m_typeId, cs)) {
+        jam();
+        errorCode = TuxAddAttrRef::InvalidCharset;
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+#endif
     if (indexPtr.p->m_numAttrs == fragOpPtr.p->m_numAttrsRecvd) {
       jam();
       // initialize tree header
diff --git a/ndb/src/kernel/vm/MetaData.hpp b/ndb/src/kernel/vm/MetaData.hpp
index f6a941e8f9f..11e262664c1 100644
--- a/ndb/src/kernel/vm/MetaData.hpp
+++ b/ndb/src/kernel/vm/MetaData.hpp
@@ -107,6 +107,9 @@ public:
     /* Number of primary key attributes (should be computed) */
     Uint16 noOfPrimkey;
 
+    /* Number of distinct character sets (computed) */
+    Uint16 noOfCharsets;
+
     /* Length of primary key in words (should be computed) */
     /* For ordered index this is tree node size in words */
     Uint16 tupKeyLength;