diff --git a/src/lib/swim/swim.c b/src/lib/swim/swim.c
index 2c3cfa9bcfa5..bb9e9f519b58 100644
--- a/src/lib/swim/swim.c
+++ b/src/lib/swim/swim.c
@@ -222,11 +222,21 @@ swim_incarnation_diff(const struct swim_incarnation *l,
 		      const struct swim_incarnation *r,
 		      enum swim_ev_mask *diff)
 {
-	if (l->version == r->version) {
+	if (l->generation == r->generation &&
+	    l->version == r->version) {
 		*diff = 0;
 		return 0;
 	}
 	*diff = SWIM_EV_NEW_VERSION;
+	if (l->generation < r->generation) {
+		*diff |= SWIM_EV_NEW_GENERATION;
+		return -1;
+	}
+	if (l->generation > r->generation) {
+		*diff |= SWIM_EV_NEW_GENERATION;
+		return 1;
+	}
+	assert(l->version != r->version);
 	return l->version < r->version ? -1 : 1;
 }
 
@@ -483,6 +493,15 @@ struct swim {
 	struct ev_timer wait_ack_tick;
 	/** GC state saying how to remove dead members. */
 	enum swim_gc_mode gc_mode;
+	/**
+	 * Generation of that instance is set when the latter is
+	 * created. It is actual only until the instance is
+	 * configured. After that the instance can learn a bigger
+	 * own generation from other members. Despite meaning
+	 * in fact a wrong usage of SWIM generations, it is still
+	 * possible.
+	 */
+	uint64_t initial_generation;
 	/**
 	 *
 	 *                 Dissemination component
@@ -1683,12 +1702,17 @@ swim_process_quit(struct swim *swim, const char **pos, const char *end,
 		return -1;
 	}
 	struct swim_incarnation incarnation;
-	swim_incarnation_create(&incarnation, 0);
+	swim_incarnation_create(&incarnation, 0, 0);
 	for (uint32_t i = 0; i < size; ++i) {
 		uint64_t tmp;
 		if (swim_decode_uint(pos, end, &tmp, prefix, "a key") != 0)
 			return -1;
 		switch (tmp) {
+		case SWIM_QUIT_GENERATION:
+			if (swim_decode_uint(pos, end, &incarnation.generation,
+					     prefix, "generation") != 0)
+				return -1;
+			break;
 		case SWIM_QUIT_VERSION:
 			if (swim_decode_uint(pos, end, &incarnation.version,
 					     prefix, "version") != 0)
@@ -1829,13 +1853,14 @@ swim_event_handler_f(va_list va)
 
 
 struct swim *
-swim_new(void)
+swim_new(uint64_t generation)
 {
 	struct swim *swim = (struct swim *) calloc(1, sizeof(*swim));
 	if (swim == NULL) {
 		diag_set(OutOfMemory, sizeof(*swim), "calloc", "swim");
 		return NULL;
 	}
+	swim->initial_generation = generation;
 	swim->members = mh_swim_table_new();
 	if (swim->members == NULL) {
 		free(swim);
@@ -1941,7 +1966,8 @@ swim_cfg(struct swim *swim, const char *uri, double heartbeat_rate,
 			return -1;
 		}
 		struct swim_incarnation incarnation;
-		swim_incarnation_create(&incarnation, 0);
+		swim_incarnation_create(&incarnation, swim->initial_generation,
+					0);
 		swim->self = swim_new_member(swim, &addr, uuid, MEMBER_ALIVE,
 					     &incarnation, NULL, 0);
 		if (swim->self == NULL)
@@ -2062,7 +2088,7 @@ swim_add_member(struct swim *swim, const char *uri, const struct tt_uuid *uuid)
 	struct swim_member *member = swim_find_member(swim, uuid);
 	if (member == NULL) {
 		struct swim_incarnation inc;
-		swim_incarnation_create(&inc, 0);
+		swim_incarnation_create(&inc, 0, 0);
 		member = swim_new_member(swim, &addr, uuid, MEMBER_ALIVE, &inc,
 					 NULL, -1);
 		return member == NULL ? -1 : 0;
diff --git a/src/lib/swim/swim.h b/src/lib/swim/swim.h
index b8e44515ed37..4565eb976519 100644
--- a/src/lib/swim/swim.h
+++ b/src/lib/swim/swim.h
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ enum swim_gc_mode {
  * yields.
  */
 struct swim *
-swim_new(void);
+swim_new(uint64_t generation);
 
 /** Check if a swim instance is configured. */
 bool
@@ -279,16 +279,17 @@ enum swim_ev_mask {
 	SWIM_EV_NEW             = 0b00000001,
 	SWIM_EV_NEW_STATUS      = 0b00000010,
 	SWIM_EV_NEW_URI         = 0b00000100,
-	SWIM_EV_NEW_VERSION     = 0b00001000,
+	SWIM_EV_NEW_GENERATION  = 0b00001000,
+	SWIM_EV_NEW_VERSION     = 0b00010000,
 	/*
 	 * Shortcut to check for update of any part of
 	 * incarnation.
 	 */
-	SWIM_EV_NEW_INCARNATION = 0b00001000,
-	SWIM_EV_NEW_PAYLOAD     = 0b00010000,
+	SWIM_EV_NEW_INCARNATION = 0b00011000,
+	SWIM_EV_NEW_PAYLOAD     = 0b00100000,
 	/* Shortcut to check for any update. */
-	SWIM_EV_UPDATE          = 0b00011110,
-	SWIM_EV_DROP            = 0b00100000,
+	SWIM_EV_UPDATE          = 0b00111110,
+	SWIM_EV_DROP            = 0b01000000,
 };
 
 /** On member event trigger context. */
diff --git a/src/lib/swim/swim_constants.h b/src/lib/swim/swim_constants.h
index f105040c6541..cee109c8ccba 100644
--- a/src/lib/swim/swim_constants.h
+++ b/src/lib/swim/swim_constants.h
@@ -63,6 +63,12 @@ extern const char *swim_member_status_strs[];
  * actual.
  */
 struct swim_incarnation {
+	/**
+	 * Generation is a persistent part of incarnation. It is
+	 * set by a user on SWIM start, and normally is not
+	 * changed during instance lifetime.
+	 */
+	uint64_t generation;
 	/**
 	 * Version is a volatile part of incarnation. It is
 	 * managed by SWIM fully internally.
@@ -72,8 +78,10 @@ struct swim_incarnation {
 
 /** Create a new incarnation value. */
 static inline void
-swim_incarnation_create(struct swim_incarnation *i, uint64_t version)
+swim_incarnation_create(struct swim_incarnation *i, uint64_t generation,
+			uint64_t version)
 {
+	i->generation = generation;
 	i->version = version;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/lib/swim/swim_proto.c b/src/lib/swim/swim_proto.c
index 31c931b98899..615bbf685ecb 100644
--- a/src/lib/swim/swim_proto.c
+++ b/src/lib/swim/swim_proto.c
@@ -161,8 +161,10 @@ swim_decode_uuid(struct tt_uuid *uuid, const char **pos, const char *end,
  */
 static inline void
 swim_incarnation_bin_create(struct swim_incarnation_bin *bin,
-			    uint8_t version_key)
+			    uint8_t generation_key, uint8_t version_key)
 {
+	bin->k_generation = generation_key;
+	bin->m_generation = 0xcf;
 	bin->k_version = version_key;
 	bin->m_version = 0xcf;
 }
@@ -175,6 +177,7 @@ static inline void
 swim_incarnation_bin_fill(struct swim_incarnation_bin *bin,
 			  const struct swim_incarnation *incarnation)
 {
+	bin->v_generation = mp_bswap_u64(incarnation->generation);
 	bin->v_version = mp_bswap_u64(incarnation->version);
 }
 
@@ -270,6 +273,11 @@ swim_decode_member_key(enum swim_member_key key, const char **pos,
 				     "member uuid") != 0)
 			return -1;
 		break;
+	case SWIM_MEMBER_GENERATION:
+		if (swim_decode_uint(pos, end, &def->incarnation.generation,
+				     prefix, "member generation") != 0)
+			return -1;
+		break;
 	case SWIM_MEMBER_VERSION:
 		if (swim_decode_uint(pos, end, &def->incarnation.version,
 				     prefix, "member version") != 0)
@@ -342,7 +350,8 @@ swim_fd_header_bin_create(struct swim_fd_header_bin *header,
 	header->k_type = SWIM_FD_MSG_TYPE;
 	header->v_type = type;
 
-	swim_incarnation_bin_create(&header->incarnation, SWIM_FD_VERSION);
+	swim_incarnation_bin_create(&header->incarnation, SWIM_FD_GENERATION,
+				    SWIM_FD_VERSION);
 	swim_incarnation_bin_fill(&header->incarnation, incarnation);
 }
 
@@ -378,6 +387,12 @@ swim_failure_detection_def_decode(struct swim_failure_detection_def *def,
 			}
 			def->type = key;
 			break;
+		case SWIM_FD_GENERATION:
+			if (swim_decode_uint(pos, end,
+					     &def->incarnation.generation,
+					     prefix, "generation") != 0)
+				return -1;
+			break;
 		case SWIM_FD_VERSION:
 			if (swim_decode_uint(pos, end,
 					     &def->incarnation.version, prefix,
@@ -429,6 +444,7 @@ swim_passport_bin_create(struct swim_passport_bin *passport)
 	passport->m_uuid = 0xc4;
 	passport->m_uuid_len = UUID_LEN;
 	swim_incarnation_bin_create(&passport->incarnation,
+				    SWIM_MEMBER_GENERATION,
 				    SWIM_MEMBER_VERSION);
 }
 
@@ -591,7 +607,8 @@ swim_quit_bin_create(struct swim_quit_bin *header,
 	header->k_quit = SWIM_QUIT;
 	assert(mp_sizeof_map(SWIM_INCARNATION_BIN_SIZE) == 1);
 	header->m_quit = 0x80 | SWIM_INCARNATION_BIN_SIZE;
-	swim_incarnation_bin_create(&header->incarnation, SWIM_QUIT_VERSION);
+	swim_incarnation_bin_create(&header->incarnation, SWIM_QUIT_GENERATION,
+				    SWIM_QUIT_VERSION);
 	swim_incarnation_bin_fill(&header->incarnation, incarnation);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/lib/swim/swim_proto.h b/src/lib/swim/swim_proto.h
index ee3bc03faa94..595606499d79 100644
--- a/src/lib/swim/swim_proto.h
+++ b/src/lib/swim/swim_proto.h
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ enum {
  * |                                                             |
  * |     SWIM_FAILURE_DETECTION: {                               |
  * |         SWIM_FD_MSG_TYPE: uint, enum swim_fd_msg_type,      |
+ * |         SWIM_FD_GENERATION: uint,                           |
  * |         SWIM_FD_VERSION: uint                               |
  * |     },                                                      |
  * |                                                             |
@@ -83,6 +84,7 @@ enum {
  * |             SWIM_MEMBER_ADDRESS: uint, ip,                  |
  * |             SWIM_MEMBER_PORT: uint, port,                   |
  * |             SWIM_MEMBER_UUID: 16 byte UUID,                 |
+ * |             SWIM_MEMBER_GENERATION: uint,                   |
  * |             SWIM_MEMBER_VERSION: uint,                      |
  * |             SWIM_MEMBER_PAYLOAD: bin                        |
  * |         },                                                  |
@@ -97,6 +99,7 @@ enum {
  * |             SWIM_MEMBER_ADDRESS: uint, ip,                  |
  * |             SWIM_MEMBER_PORT: uint, port,                   |
  * |             SWIM_MEMBER_UUID: 16 byte UUID,                 |
+ * |             SWIM_MEMBER_GENERATION: uint,                   |
  * |             SWIM_MEMBER_VERSION: uint,                      |
  * |             SWIM_MEMBER_PAYLOAD: bin                        |
  * |         },                                                  |
@@ -106,6 +109,7 @@ enum {
  * |               OR/AND                                        |
  * |                                                             |
  * |     SWIM_QUIT: {                                            |
+ * |         SWIM_QUIT_GENERATION: uint,                         |
  * |         SWIM_QUIT_VERSION: uint                             |
  * |     }                                                       |
  * | }                                                           |
@@ -118,7 +122,7 @@ enum {
 	 * Structures storing an incarnation should use this size
 	 * so as to correctly encode MessagePack map header.
 	 */
-	SWIM_INCARNATION_BIN_SIZE = 1,
+	SWIM_INCARNATION_BIN_SIZE = 2,
 };
 
 /**
@@ -126,6 +130,12 @@ enum {
  * value. It expects its owner is a map.
  */
 struct PACKED swim_incarnation_bin {
+	/** mp_encode_uint(generation key) */
+	uint8_t k_generation;
+	/** mp_encode_uint(64bit generation) */
+	uint8_t m_generation;
+	uint64_t v_generation;
+
 	/** mp_encode_uint(version key) */
 	uint8_t k_version;
 	/** mp_encode_uint(64bit version) */
@@ -209,6 +219,7 @@ enum swim_fd_key {
 	 * it was considered dead, but ping/ack with greater
 	 * incarnation was received from it.
 	 */
+	SWIM_FD_GENERATION,
 	SWIM_FD_VERSION,
 };
 
@@ -225,7 +236,7 @@ extern const char *swim_fd_msg_type_strs[];
 struct PACKED swim_fd_header_bin {
 	/** mp_encode_uint(SWIM_FAILURE_DETECTION) */
 	uint8_t k_header;
-	/** mp_encode_map(2) */
+	/** mp_encode_map(3) */
 	uint8_t m_header;
 
 	/** mp_encode_uint(SWIM_FD_MSG_TYPE) */
@@ -233,7 +244,7 @@ struct PACKED swim_fd_header_bin {
 	/** mp_encode_uint(enum swim_fd_msg_type) */
 	uint8_t v_type;
 
-	/** SWIM_FD_VERSION */
+	/** SWIM_FD_GENERATION, SWIM_FD_VERSION */
 	struct swim_incarnation_bin incarnation;
 };
 
@@ -309,6 +320,7 @@ enum swim_member_key {
 	SWIM_MEMBER_ADDRESS,
 	SWIM_MEMBER_PORT,
 	SWIM_MEMBER_UUID,
+	SWIM_MEMBER_GENERATION,
 	SWIM_MEMBER_VERSION,
 	SWIM_MEMBER_PAYLOAD,
 	swim_member_key_MAX,
@@ -340,7 +352,7 @@ swim_anti_entropy_header_bin_create(struct swim_anti_entropy_header_bin *header,
  * date and TTD is > 0.
  */
 struct PACKED swim_passport_bin {
-	/** mp_encode_map(5 or 6) */
+	/** mp_encode_map(6 or 7) */
 	uint8_t m_header;
 
 	/** mp_encode_uint(SWIM_MEMBER_STATUS) */
@@ -358,7 +370,7 @@ struct PACKED swim_passport_bin {
 	uint8_t m_uuid_len;
 	uint8_t v_uuid[UUID_LEN];
 
-	/** SWIM_MEMBER_VERSION */
+	/** SWIM_MEMBER_GENERATION, SWIM_MEMBER_VERSION */
 	struct swim_incarnation_bin incarnation;
 };
 
@@ -579,17 +591,18 @@ swim_route_bin_create(struct swim_route_bin *route,
 
 enum swim_quit_key {
 	/** Incarnation to ignore old quit messages. */
-	SWIM_QUIT_VERSION = 0,
+	SWIM_QUIT_GENERATION = 0,
+	SWIM_QUIT_VERSION,
 };
 
 /** Quit section. Describes voluntary quit from the cluster. */
 struct PACKED swim_quit_bin {
 	/** mp_encode_uint(SWIM_QUIT) */
 	uint8_t k_quit;
-	/** mp_encode_map(1) */
+	/** mp_encode_map(2) */
 	uint8_t m_quit;
 
-	/** SWIM_QUIT_VERSION */
+	/** SWIM_QUIT_GENERATION, SWIM_QUIT_VERSION */
 	struct swim_incarnation_bin incarnation;
 };
 
diff --git a/src/lua/swim.c b/src/lua/swim.c
index c3a0a9911659..26646f41f042 100644
--- a/src/lua/swim.c
+++ b/src/lua/swim.c
@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@ lua_swim_on_member_event(struct lua_State *L)
 static int
 lua_swim_new(struct lua_State *L)
 {
-	struct swim *s = swim_new();
+	uint64_t generation = luaL_checkuint64(L, 1);
+	struct swim *s = swim_new(generation);
 	*(struct swim **) luaL_pushcdata(L, ctid_swim_ptr) = s;
 	if (s != NULL)
 		return 1;
diff --git a/src/lua/swim.lua b/src/lua/swim.lua
index 0686590cbe49..b6d826ca0e1c 100644
--- a/src/lua/swim.lua
+++ b/src/lua/swim.lua
@@ -28,14 +28,16 @@ ffi.cdef[[
         SWIM_EV_NEW             = 0b00000001,
         SWIM_EV_NEW_STATUS      = 0b00000010,
         SWIM_EV_NEW_URI         = 0b00000100,
-        SWIM_EV_NEW_VERSION     = 0b00001000,
-        SWIM_EV_NEW_INCARNATION = 0b00001000,
-        SWIM_EV_NEW_PAYLOAD     = 0b00010000,
-        SWIM_EV_UPDATE          = 0b00011110,
-        SWIM_EV_DROP            = 0b00100000,
+        SWIM_EV_NEW_GENERATION  = 0b00001000,
+        SWIM_EV_NEW_VERSION     = 0b00010000,
+        SWIM_EV_NEW_INCARNATION = 0b00011000,
+        SWIM_EV_NEW_PAYLOAD     = 0b00100000,
+        SWIM_EV_UPDATE          = 0b00111110,
+        SWIM_EV_DROP            = 0b01000000,
     };
 
     struct swim_incarnation {
+        uint64_t generation;
         uint64_t version;
     };
 
@@ -131,16 +133,19 @@ local swim_member_status_strs = {
 
 local swim_incarnation_mt = {
     __eq = function(l, r)
-        return l.version == r.version
+        return l.version == r.version and l.generation == r.generation
     end,
     __lt = function(l, r)
-        return l.version < r.version
+        return l.generation < r.generation or
+               l.generation == r.generation and l.version < r.version
     end,
     __le = function(l, r)
-        return l.version <= r.version
+        return l.generation < r.generation or
+               l.generation == r.generation and l.version <= r.version
     end,
     __tostring = function(i)
-        return string.format('cdata {version = %s}', i.version)
+        return string.format('cdata {generation = %s, version = %s}',
+                             i.generation, i.version)
     end,
 }
 ffi.metatype(ffi.typeof('struct swim_incarnation'), swim_incarnation_mt)
@@ -747,6 +752,9 @@ local swim_member_event_index = {
     is_new_incarnation = function(self)
         return bit.band(self[1], capi.SWIM_EV_NEW_INCARNATION) ~= 0
     end,
+    is_new_generation = function(self)
+        return bit.band(self[1], capi.SWIM_EV_NEW_GENERATION) ~= 0
+    end,
     is_new_version = function(self)
         return bit.band(self[1], capi.SWIM_EV_NEW_VERSION) ~= 0
     end,
@@ -938,7 +946,19 @@ local cache_table_mt = { __mode = 'v' }
 -- provided.
 --
 local function swim_new(cfg)
-    local ptr = internal.swim_new()
+    local generation = 0
+    if cfg and type(cfg) == 'table' and cfg.generation then
+        generation = cfg.generation
+        if type(generation) ~= 'number' or generation < 0 or
+           math.floor(generation) ~= generation then
+            return error('swim.new: generation should be non-negative integer')
+        end
+        cfg = table.copy(cfg)
+        -- Nullify in order to do not raise errors in the
+        -- following swim:cfg() about unknown parameters.
+        cfg.generation = nil
+    end
+    local ptr = internal.swim_new(generation)
     if ptr == nil then
         return nil, box.error.last()
     end
diff --git a/test/swim/swim.result b/test/swim/swim.result
index e3b89f809454..05a108614855 100644
--- a/test/swim/swim.result
+++ b/test/swim/swim.result
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ old_self
 ---
 - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
   status: left
-  incarnation: cdata {version = 1ULL}
+  incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
   uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
   payload_size: 0
 ...
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ s
 ---
 - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
   status: alive
-  incarnation: cdata {version = 1ULL}
+  incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
   uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
   payload_size: 0
 ...
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ s:uri()
 ...
 s:incarnation()
 ---
-- cdata {version = 1ULL}
+- cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
 ...
 s:payload_cdata()
 ---
@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ s1:member_by_uuid(s:uuid())
 ---
 - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
   status: alive
-  incarnation: cdata {version = 1ULL}
+  incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
   uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
   payload_size: 0
 ...
@@ -721,7 +721,7 @@ s1_view:payload()
 ...
 s1_view:incarnation()
 ---
-- cdata {version = 1ULL}
+- cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
 ...
 s1:set_payload('payload')
 ---
@@ -732,7 +732,7 @@ while s1_view:payload() ~= 'payload' do fiber.sleep(0.01) end
 ...
 s1_view:incarnation()
 ---
-- cdata {version = 2ULL}
+- cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 2ULL}
 ...
 s1:set_payload('payload2')
 ---
@@ -743,7 +743,7 @@ while s1_view:payload() ~= 'payload2' do fiber.sleep(0.01) end
 ...
 s1_view:incarnation()
 ---
-- cdata {version = 3ULL}
+- cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 3ULL}
 ...
 s1:delete()
 ---
@@ -778,7 +778,7 @@ iterate()
 - - - 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
     - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
       status: alive
-      incarnation: cdata {version = 1ULL}
+      incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
       uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
       payload_size: 0
 ...
@@ -791,13 +791,13 @@ iterate()
 - - - 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000002
     - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
       status: alive
-      incarnation: cdata {version = 0ULL}
+      incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 0ULL}
       uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000002
       payload_size: 0
   - - 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
     - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
       status: alive
-      incarnation: cdata {version = 1ULL}
+      incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
       uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
       payload_size: 0
 ...
@@ -810,19 +810,19 @@ iterate()
 - - - 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
     - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
       status: alive
-      incarnation: cdata {version = 1ULL}
+      incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
       uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
       payload_size: 0
   - - 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000003
     - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
       status: alive
-      incarnation: cdata {version = 0ULL}
+      incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 0ULL}
       uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000003
       payload_size: 0
   - - 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000002
     - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
       status: alive
-      incarnation: cdata {version = 0ULL}
+      incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 0ULL}
       uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000002
       payload_size: 0
 ...
@@ -906,7 +906,7 @@ s1_view:payload()
 ...
 s1_view:incarnation()
 ---
-- cdata {version = 3ULL}
+- cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 3ULL}
 ...
 s1:cfg({heartbeat_rate = 0.01})
 ---
@@ -932,7 +932,7 @@ p
 ...
 s1_view:incarnation()
 ---
-- cdata {version = 3ULL}
+- cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 3ULL}
 ...
 s1:delete()
 ---
@@ -964,7 +964,7 @@ s2
 ---
 - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
   status: alive
-  incarnation: cdata {version = 0ULL}
+  incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 0ULL}
   uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000002
   payload_size: 0
 ...
@@ -1210,7 +1210,7 @@ s2:member_by_uuid(s1:self():uuid())
 ---
 - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
   status: alive
-  incarnation: cdata {version = 1ULL}
+  incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
   uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
   payload_size: 0
 ...
@@ -1287,7 +1287,7 @@ m_list
 ---
 - - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
     status: alive
-    incarnation: cdata {version = 1ULL}
+    incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
     uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
     payload_size: 0
 ...
@@ -1329,7 +1329,7 @@ m_list
 ---
 - - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
     status: alive
-    incarnation: cdata {version = 1ULL}
+    incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
     uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000002
     payload_size: 0
 ...
@@ -1371,17 +1371,17 @@ m_list
 ---
 - - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
     status: alive
-    incarnation: cdata {version = 1ULL}
+    incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
     uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000002
     payload_size: 0
   - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
     status: alive
-    incarnation: cdata {version = 2ULL}
+    incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 2ULL}
     uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
     payload_size: 8
   - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
     status: alive
-    incarnation: cdata {version = 2ULL}
+    incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 2ULL}
     uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000001
     payload_size: 8
 ...
@@ -1390,12 +1390,12 @@ e_list
 - - is_new_payload: true
     is_new: true
     is_update: true
-  - is_new_version: true
-    is_new_payload: true
+  - is_new_payload: true
+    is_new_version: true
     is_new_incarnation: true
     is_update: true
-  - is_new_version: true
-    is_new_payload: true
+  - is_new_payload: true
+    is_new_version: true
     is_new_incarnation: true
     is_update: true
 ...
@@ -1430,12 +1430,12 @@ m_list
 ---
 - - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
     status: left
-    incarnation: cdata {version = 1ULL}
+    incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
     uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000002
     payload_size: 0
   - uri: 127.0.0.1:<port>
     status: left
-    incarnation: cdata {version = 1ULL}
+    incarnation: cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 1ULL}
     uuid: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-000000000002
     payload_size: 0
 ...
@@ -1487,6 +1487,93 @@ ctx_list
 s1:delete()
 ---
 ...
+--
+-- gh-4280: 'generation' counter to detect restarts and refute
+-- information left from previous lifes of a SWIM instance.
+--
+s1 = swim.new({uuid = uuid(1), uri = 0, heartbeat_rate = 0.01, generation = 0})
+---
+...
+s2 = swim.new({uuid = uuid(2), uri = 0, heartbeat_rate = 0.01})
+---
+...
+s2:add_member({uuid = uuid(1), uri = s1:self():uri()})
+---
+- true
+...
+s1_view = s2:member_by_uuid(uuid(1))
+---
+...
+s1:set_payload('payload 1')
+---
+- true
+...
+while not s1_view:payload() do fiber.sleep(0.1) end
+---
+...
+s1_view:payload()
+---
+- payload 1
+...
+s1:self():incarnation()
+---
+- cdata {generation = 0ULL, version = 2ULL}
+...
+-- Now S2 knows S1's payload as 'payload 1'.
+new_gen_ev = nil
+---
+...
+_ = s2:on_member_event(function(m, e) if e:is_new_generation() then new_gen_ev = e end end)
+---
+...
+s1:delete()
+---
+...
+s1 = swim.new({uuid = uuid(1), uri = 0, heartbeat_rate = 0.01, generation = 1})
+---
+...
+s1:add_member({uuid = uuid(2), uri = s2:self():uri()})
+---
+- true
+...
+s1:set_payload('payload 2')
+---
+- true
+...
+-- Without the new generation S2 would believe that S1's payload
+-- is still 'payload 1'. Because 'payload 1' and 'payload 2' were
+-- disseminated with the same version.
+s1:self():incarnation()
+---
+- cdata {generation = 1ULL, version = 2ULL}
+...
+while s1_view:payload() ~= 'payload 2' do fiber.sleep(0.1) end
+---
+...
+s1_view:payload()
+---
+- payload 2
+...
+new_gen_ev
+---
+- is_new_version: true
+  is_new_generation: true
+  is_update: true
+  is_new_payload: true
+  is_new_uri: true
+  is_new_incarnation: true
+...
+-- Generation is static parameter.
+s1:cfg({generation = 5})
+---
+- error: 'swim:cfg: unknown option generation'
+...
+s1:delete()
+---
+...
+s2:delete()
+---
+...
 test_run:cmd("clear filter")
 ---
 - true
diff --git a/test/swim/swim.test.lua b/test/swim/swim.test.lua
index 576219b4d7d6..b4e4adafcf43 100644
--- a/test/swim/swim.test.lua
+++ b/test/swim/swim.test.lua
@@ -499,4 +499,40 @@ ctx_list
 
 s1:delete()
 
+--
+-- gh-4280: 'generation' counter to detect restarts and refute
+-- information left from previous lifes of a SWIM instance.
+--
+s1 = swim.new({uuid = uuid(1), uri = 0, heartbeat_rate = 0.01, generation = 0})
+s2 = swim.new({uuid = uuid(2), uri = 0, heartbeat_rate = 0.01})
+s2:add_member({uuid = uuid(1), uri = s1:self():uri()})
+s1_view = s2:member_by_uuid(uuid(1))
+s1:set_payload('payload 1')
+while not s1_view:payload() do fiber.sleep(0.1) end
+s1_view:payload()
+s1:self():incarnation()
+
+-- Now S2 knows S1's payload as 'payload 1'.
+
+new_gen_ev = nil
+_ = s2:on_member_event(function(m, e) if e:is_new_generation() then new_gen_ev = e end end)
+s1:delete()
+s1 = swim.new({uuid = uuid(1), uri = 0, heartbeat_rate = 0.01, generation = 1})
+s1:add_member({uuid = uuid(2), uri = s2:self():uri()})
+s1:set_payload('payload 2')
+-- Without the new generation S2 would believe that S1's payload
+-- is still 'payload 1'. Because 'payload 1' and 'payload 2' were
+-- disseminated with the same version.
+s1:self():incarnation()
+
+while s1_view:payload() ~= 'payload 2' do fiber.sleep(0.1) end
+s1_view:payload()
+new_gen_ev
+
+-- Generation is static parameter.
+s1:cfg({generation = 5})
+
+s1:delete()
+s2:delete()
+
 test_run:cmd("clear filter")
diff --git a/test/unit/swim.c b/test/unit/swim.c
index 63f816d4a299..3486d3f73fee 100644
--- a/test/unit/swim.c
+++ b/test/unit/swim.c
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ swim_test_cfg(void)
 {
 	swim_start_test(16);
 
-	struct swim *s = swim_new();
+	struct swim *s = swim_new(0);
 	assert(s != NULL);
 	is(swim_cfg(s, NULL, -1, -1, -1, NULL), -1, "first cfg failed - no URI");
 	ok(swim_error_check_match("mandatory"), "diag says 'mandatory'");
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ swim_test_cfg(void)
 	is(strcmp(self_uri, uri), 0, "URI is unchanged after recfg with NULL "\
 	   "URI");
 
-	struct swim *s2 = swim_new();
+	struct swim *s2 = swim_new(0);
 	assert(s2 != NULL);
 	const char *bad_uri1 = "127.1.1.1.1.1.1:1";
 	const char *bad_uri2 = "google.com:1";
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ swim_test_probe(void)
 static void
 swim_test_refute(void)
 {
-	swim_start_test(4);
+	swim_start_test(6);
 	struct swim_cluster *cluster = swim_cluster_new(2);
 	swim_cluster_set_ack_timeout(cluster, 2);
 
@@ -391,16 +391,21 @@ swim_test_refute(void)
 	fail_if(swim_cluster_wait_status(cluster, 0, 1,
 					 MEMBER_SUSPECTED, 4) != 0);
 	swim_cluster_set_drop(cluster, 1, 0);
-	is(swim_cluster_wait_incarnation(cluster, 1, 1, 1, 1), 0,
+	is(swim_cluster_wait_incarnation(cluster, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1), 0,
 	   "S2 increments its own incarnation to refute its suspicion");
-	is(swim_cluster_wait_incarnation(cluster, 0, 1, 1, 1), 0,
+	is(swim_cluster_wait_incarnation(cluster, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1), 0,
 	   "new incarnation has reached S1 with a next round message");
 
 	swim_cluster_restart_node(cluster, 1);
-	is(swim_cluster_member_incarnation(cluster, 1, 1).version, 0,
-	   "after restart S2's incarnation is default again");
-	is(swim_cluster_wait_incarnation(cluster, 1, 1, 1, 1), 0,
-	   "S2 learned its old bigger incarnation 1 from S0");
+	struct swim_incarnation inc =
+		swim_cluster_member_incarnation(cluster, 1, 1);
+	is(inc.version, 0, "after restart S2's version is 0 again");
+	is(inc.generation, 1, "but generation is new");
+
+	is(swim_cluster_wait_incarnation(cluster, 0, 1, 1, 0, 1), 0,
+	   "S2 disseminates new incarnation, S1 learns it");
+	is(swim_cluster_member_status(cluster, 0, 1), MEMBER_ALIVE,
+	   "and considers S2 alive");
 
 	swim_cluster_delete(cluster);
 	swim_finish_test();
@@ -527,7 +532,7 @@ swim_test_quit(void)
 	 * old LEFT status.
 	 */
 	swim_cluster_restart_node(cluster, 0);
-	is(swim_cluster_wait_incarnation(cluster, 0, 0, 1, 2), 0,
+	is(swim_cluster_wait_incarnation(cluster, 0, 0, 1, 0, 2), 0,
 	   "quited member S1 has returned and refuted the old status");
 	fail_if(swim_cluster_wait_fullmesh(cluster, 2) != 0);
 	/*
@@ -555,9 +560,14 @@ swim_test_quit(void)
 	is(swim_cluster_member_status(cluster, 2, 0), swim_member_status_MAX,
 	   "S3 did not add S1 back when received its 'quit'");
 
-	/* Now allow S2 to get the 'self-quit' message. */
+	/*
+	 * Now allow S2 to get the 'self-quit' message. Note,
+	 * together with 'quit' it receives new generation, which
+	 * belonged to S1 before. Of course, it is a bug, but in
+	 * a user application - UUIDs are messed.
+	 */
 	swim_cluster_unblock_io(cluster, 1);
-	is(swim_cluster_wait_incarnation(cluster, 1, 1, 2, 0), 0,
+	is(swim_cluster_wait_incarnation(cluster, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0), 0,
 	   "S2 finally got 'quit' message from S1, but with its 'own' UUID - "\
 	   "refute it")
 	swim_cluster_delete(cluster);
@@ -1090,7 +1100,7 @@ swim_test_triggers(void)
 		swim_member_unref(tctx.ctx.member);
 
 	/* Check that recfg fires version update trigger. */
-	s1 = swim_new();
+	s1 = swim_new(0);
 	struct tt_uuid uuid = uuid_nil;
 	uuid.time_low = 1;
 	fail_if(swim_cfg(s1, "127.0.0.1:1", -1, -1, -1, &uuid) != 0);
@@ -1113,10 +1123,39 @@ swim_test_triggers(void)
 	swim_finish_test();
 }
 
+static void
+swim_test_generation(void)
+{
+	swim_start_test(3);
+
+	struct swim_cluster *cluster = swim_cluster_new(2);
+	swim_cluster_interconnect(cluster, 0, 1);
+
+	const char *p1 = "payload 1";
+	int p1_size = strlen(p1);
+	swim_cluster_member_set_payload(cluster, 0, p1, p1_size);
+	is(swim_cluster_wait_payload_everywhere(cluster, 0, p1, p1_size, 1), 0,
+	   "S1 disseminated its payload to S2");
+
+	swim_cluster_restart_node(cluster, 0);
+	const char *p2 = "payload 2";
+	int p2_size = strlen(p2);
+	swim_cluster_member_set_payload(cluster, 0, p2, p2_size);
+	is(swim_cluster_wait_payload_everywhere(cluster, 0, p2, p2_size, 2), 0,
+	   "S1 restarted and set another payload. Without generation it could "\
+	   "lead to never disseminated new payload.");
+	is(swim_cluster_member_incarnation(cluster, 1, 0).generation, 1,
+	   "S2 sees new generation of S1");
+
+	swim_cluster_delete(cluster);
+
+	swim_finish_test();
+}
+
 static int
 main_f(va_list ap)
 {
-	swim_start_test(21);
+	swim_start_test(22);
 
 	(void) ap;
 	swim_test_ev_init();
@@ -1143,6 +1182,7 @@ main_f(va_list ap)
 	swim_test_encryption();
 	swim_test_slow_net();
 	swim_test_triggers();
+	swim_test_generation();
 
 	swim_test_transport_free();
 	swim_test_ev_free();
diff --git a/test/unit/swim.result b/test/unit/swim.result
index 8d653477b64d..04a2778e69b0 100644
--- a/test/unit/swim.result
+++ b/test/unit/swim.result
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 	*** main_f ***
-1..21
+1..22
 	*** swim_test_one_link ***
     1..6
     ok 1 - no rounds - no fullmesh
@@ -85,11 +85,13 @@ ok 6 - subtests
 ok 7 - subtests
 	*** swim_test_probe: done ***
 	*** swim_test_refute ***
-    1..4
+    1..6
     ok 1 - S2 increments its own incarnation to refute its suspicion
     ok 2 - new incarnation has reached S1 with a next round message
-    ok 3 - after restart S2's incarnation is default again
-    ok 4 - S2 learned its old bigger incarnation 1 from S0
+    ok 3 - after restart S2's version is 0 again
+    ok 4 - but generation is new
+    ok 5 - S2 disseminates new incarnation, S1 learns it
+    ok 6 - and considers S2 alive
 ok 8 - subtests
 	*** swim_test_refute: done ***
 	*** swim_test_basic_gossip ***
@@ -228,4 +230,11 @@ ok 20 - subtests
     ok 23 - version is a part of incarnation, so the latter is updated too
 ok 21 - subtests
 	*** swim_test_triggers: done ***
+	*** swim_test_generation ***
+    1..3
+    ok 1 - S1 disseminated its payload to S2
+    ok 2 - S1 restarted and set another payload. Without generation it could lead to never disseminated new payload.
+    ok 3 - S2 sees new generation of S1
+ok 22 - subtests
+	*** swim_test_generation: done ***
 	*** main_f: done ***
diff --git a/test/unit/swim_test_utils.c b/test/unit/swim_test_utils.c
index 72149b3536d8..c56af22338b4 100644
--- a/test/unit/swim_test_utils.c
+++ b/test/unit/swim_test_utils.c
@@ -157,6 +157,8 @@ struct swim_node {
 	 * that instance.
 	 */
 	struct tt_uuid uuid;
+	/** Generation to increment on restart. */
+	uint64_t generation;
 	/**
 	 * Filter to drop packets with a certain probability
 	 * from/to a specified direction.
@@ -212,7 +214,8 @@ swim_test_event_cb(struct trigger *trigger, void *event)
 static inline void
 swim_node_create(struct swim_node *n, int id)
 {
-	n->swim = swim_new();
+	n->generation = 0;
+	n->swim = swim_new(0);
 	assert(n->swim != NULL);
 	struct trigger *t = (struct trigger *) malloc(sizeof(*t));
 	trigger_create(t, swim_test_event_cb, NULL, (trigger_f0) free);
@@ -356,7 +359,7 @@ swim_cluster_member_incarnation(struct swim_cluster *cluster, int node_id,
 		swim_cluster_member_view(cluster, node_id, member_id);
 	if (m == NULL) {
 		struct swim_incarnation inc;
-		swim_incarnation_create(&inc, UINT64_MAX);
+		swim_incarnation_create(&inc, UINT64_MAX, UINT64_MAX);
 		return inc;
 	}
 	return swim_member_incarnation(m);
@@ -405,7 +408,7 @@ swim_cluster_restart_node(struct swim_cluster *cluster, int i)
 					&n->uuid));
 		swim_delete(s);
 	}
-	s = swim_new();
+	s = swim_new(++n->generation);
 	assert(s != NULL);
 	int rc = swim_cfg(s, uri, -1, cluster->ack_timeout, cluster->gc_mode,
 			  &n->uuid);
@@ -754,10 +757,10 @@ swim_member_template_set_status(struct swim_member_template *t,
  */
 static inline void
 swim_member_template_set_incarnation(struct swim_member_template *t,
-				     uint64_t version)
+				     uint64_t generation, uint64_t version)
 {
 	t->need_check_incarnation = true;
-	swim_incarnation_create(&t->incarnation, version);
+	swim_incarnation_create(&t->incarnation, generation, version);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -790,7 +793,7 @@ swim_loop_check_member(struct swim_cluster *cluster, void *data)
 		payload = swim_member_payload(m, &payload_size);
 	} else {
 		status = swim_member_status_MAX;
-		swim_incarnation_create(&incarnation, 0);
+		swim_incarnation_create(&incarnation, 0, 0);
 		payload = NULL;
 		payload_size = 0;
 	}
@@ -852,12 +855,12 @@ swim_cluster_wait_status(struct swim_cluster *cluster, int node_id,
 
 int
 swim_cluster_wait_incarnation(struct swim_cluster *cluster, int node_id,
-			      int member_id, uint64_t version,
-			      double timeout)
+			      int member_id, uint64_t generation,
+			      uint64_t version, double timeout)
 {
 	struct swim_member_template t;
 	swim_member_template_create(&t, node_id, member_id);
-	swim_member_template_set_incarnation(&t, version);
+	swim_member_template_set_incarnation(&t, generation, version);
 	return swim_wait_timeout(timeout, cluster, swim_loop_check_member, &t);
 }
 
diff --git a/test/unit/swim_test_utils.h b/test/unit/swim_test_utils.h
index 587118c60e55..7064aa67d56d 100644
--- a/test/unit/swim_test_utils.h
+++ b/test/unit/swim_test_utils.h
@@ -224,8 +224,8 @@ swim_cluster_wait_status_everywhere(struct swim_cluster *cluster, int member_id,
  */
 int
 swim_cluster_wait_incarnation(struct swim_cluster *cluster, int node_id,
-			      int member_id, uint64_t version,
-			      double timeout);
+			      int member_id, uint64_t generation,
+			      uint64_t version, double timeout);
 
 /**
  * Wait until a member with id @a member_id is seen with