diff --git a/build/cmd.sh b/build/cmd.sh
index f13f1068f..6ff548b2b 100755
--- a/build/cmd.sh
+++ b/build/cmd.sh
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ bindata_modtime=1522279343
 bindata_out="pkg/tools/bindata.go"
 bindata_dir="deploy/data"
 bindata_pkg="tools"
+ldflags=()
+go_package=github.com/Mirantis/virtlet
 
 function image_tags_filter {
     local tag="${1}"
@@ -367,18 +369,37 @@ function run_integration_internal {
     ( cd tests/integration && ./go.test )
 }
 
-function set_version {
-    # TODO: always generate & set version in addition to the tag
-    if [[ ! ${SET_VIRTLET_IMAGE_TAG:-} ]]; then
-        return
+function get_ldflags {
+    # XXX: use kube::version::ldflag (-ldflags -X package.Var=...)
+    # see also versioning.mk in helm
+    # https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11354518/golang-application-auto-build-versioning
+    # see pkg/version/version.go in k8s
+    # for GoVersion / Compiler / Platform
+    local vfile="${project_dir}/pkg/version/version.go"
+    local git_version="$(git describe --tags --abbrev=14 'HEAD^{commit}' | sed "s/-g\([0-9a-f]\{14\}\)$/+\1/")"
+    local git_commit="$(git rev-parse "HEAD^{commit}")"
+    local git_tree_state=$([[ $(git status --porcelain) ]] && echo "dirty" || echo "clean")
+    if [[ ${git_tree_state} == dirty ]]; then
+        git_version+="-dirty"
     fi
-    cat >"${project_dir}/pkg/version/version.go" <<EOF
-package version
-
-func init () {
-    VirtletImageTag = "${SET_VIRTLET_IMAGE_TAG:-}"
-}
-EOF
+    local build_date="$(date -u +'%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ')"
+    local git_major=""
+    local git_minor=""
+    local version_pkg="${go_package}/pkg/version"
+    local ldflags=(-X "${version_pkg}.gitVersion=${git_version}"
+                   -X "${version_pkg}.gitCommit=${git_commit}"
+                   -X "${version_pkg}.gitTreeState=${git_tree_state}"
+                   -X "${version_pkg}.buildDate=${build_date}")
+    if [[ ${git_version} =~ ^v([0-9]+)\.([0-9]+)(\.[0-9]+)?([-].*)?([+].*)?$ ]]; then
+        git_major=${BASH_REMATCH[1]}
+        git_minor=${BASH_REMATCH[2]}
+        ldflags+=(-X "${version_pkg}.gitMajor=${git_major}"
+                  -X "${version_pkg}.gitMinor=${git_minor}")
+    fi
+    if [[ ${SET_VIRTLET_IMAGE_TAG:-} ]]; then
+        ldflags+=(-X "${version_pkg}.imageTag=${SET_VIRTLET_IMAGE_TAG}")
+    fi
+    echo "${ldflags[*]}"
 }
 
 function build_internal {
@@ -390,11 +411,11 @@ function build_internal {
         exit 1
     fi
     install_vendor_internal
+    ldflags="$(get_ldflags)"
     mkdir -p "${project_dir}/_output"
-    set_version
-    go build -i -o "${project_dir}/_output/virtlet" ./cmd/virtlet
-    go build -i -o "${project_dir}/_output/virtletctl" ./cmd/virtletctl
-    GOOS=darwin go build -i -o "${project_dir}/_output/virtletctl.darwin" ./cmd/virtletctl
+    go build -i -o "${project_dir}/_output/virtlet" -ldflags "${ldflags}" ./cmd/virtlet
+    go build -i -o "${project_dir}/_output/virtletctl" -ldflags "${ldflags}" ./cmd/virtletctl
+    GOOS=darwin go build -i -o "${project_dir}/_output/virtletctl.darwin" -ldflags "${ldflags}" ./cmd/virtletctl
     go build -i -o "${project_dir}/_output/vmwrapper" ./cmd/vmwrapper
     go build -i -o "${project_dir}/_output/flexvolume_driver" ./cmd/flexvolume_driver
     go test -i -c -o "${project_dir}/_output/virtlet-e2e-tests" ./tests/e2e
diff --git a/cmd/virtlet/virtlet.go b/cmd/virtlet/virtlet.go
index db02b199f..01170f608 100644
--- a/cmd/virtlet/virtlet.go
+++ b/cmd/virtlet/virtlet.go
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/Mirantis/virtlet/pkg/stream"
 	"github.com/Mirantis/virtlet/pkg/tapmanager"
 	"github.com/Mirantis/virtlet/pkg/utils"
+	"github.com/Mirantis/virtlet/pkg/version"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -56,6 +57,8 @@ var (
 		"Path to fd server socket")
 	imageTranslationConfigsDir = flag.String("image-translations-dir", "",
 		"Image name translation configs directory")
+	displayVersion = flag.Bool("version", false, "Display version and exit")
+	versionFormat  = flag.String("version-format", "text", "Version format to use (text, short, json, yaml)")
 )
 
 const (
@@ -136,7 +139,7 @@ func runTapManager() {
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 	if err := libvirttools.ChownForEmulator(*fdServerSocketPath); err != nil {
-		glog.Warningf("couldn't set tapmanager socket permissions: %v", err)
+		glog.Warningf("Couldn't set tapmanager socket permissions: %v", err)
 	}
 	for {
 		time.Sleep(1000 * time.Hour)
@@ -153,7 +156,18 @@ func startTapManagerProcess() {
 	// https://github.com/golang/go/issues/9263
 	setPdeathsig(cmd)
 	if err := cmd.Start(); err != nil {
-		glog.Errorf("error starting tapmanager process: %v", err)
+		glog.Errorf("Error starting tapmanager process: %v", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+}
+
+func printVersion() {
+	out, err := version.Get().ToBytes(*versionFormat)
+	if err == nil {
+		_, err = os.Stdout.Write(out)
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		glog.Errorf("Error printing version info: %v", err)
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 }
@@ -161,6 +175,11 @@ func startTapManagerProcess() {
 func main() {
 	utils.HandleNsFixReexec()
 	flag.Parse()
+	if *displayVersion {
+		printVersion()
+		os.Exit(0)
+	}
+
 	rand.Seed(time.Now().UnixNano())
 	if os.Getenv(WantTapManagerEnv) == "" {
 		startTapManagerProcess()
diff --git a/cmd/virtletctl/virtletctl.go b/cmd/virtletctl/virtletctl.go
index ddbc9e38c..8857653d2 100644
--- a/cmd/virtletctl/virtletctl.go
+++ b/cmd/virtletctl/virtletctl.go
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ func newRootCmd() *cobra.Command {
 	cmd.AddCommand(tools.NewInstallCmd(cmd, "", ""))
 	cmd.AddCommand(tools.NewGenDocCmd(cmd))
 	cmd.AddCommand(tools.NewGenCmd(os.Stdout))
+	cmd.AddCommand(tools.NewVersionCommand(client, os.Stdout, nil))
 
 	for _, c := range cmd.Commands() {
 		c.PreRunE = func(*cobra.Command, []string) error {
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__bad.out.txt b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__bad.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..e69de29bb
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client.out.txt b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..d2f233306
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+Client:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   darwin/amd64
+  ImageTag:   ivan4th_version
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_json.out.json b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_json.out.json
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..2f8a41bf5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_json.out.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"clientVersion":{"major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"dirty","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"darwin/amd64","imageTag":"ivan4th_version"}}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_json.out.txt b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_json.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..2f8a41bf5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_json.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"clientVersion":{"major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"dirty","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"darwin/amd64","imageTag":"ivan4th_version"}}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_short.out.txt b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_short.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..440c26279
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_short.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Client: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_yaml.out.txt b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_yaml.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..6c2e84ad5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_yaml.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+clientVersion:
+  buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+  compiler: gc
+  gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  gitTreeState: dirty
+  gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  goVersion: go1.8.3
+  imageTag: ivan4th_version
+  major: "1"
+  minor: "0"
+  platform: darwin/amd64
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_yaml.out.yaml b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_yaml.out.yaml
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..6c2e84ad5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__client_yaml.out.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+clientVersion:
+  buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+  compiler: gc
+  gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  gitTreeState: dirty
+  gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  goVersion: go1.8.3
+  imageTag: ivan4th_version
+  major: "1"
+  minor: "0"
+  platform: darwin/amd64
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__inconsistent.out.txt b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__inconsistent.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..1aedbb329
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__inconsistent.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+Client:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   darwin/amd64
+  ImageTag:   ivan4th_version
+Node kube-node-1:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   linux/amd64
+Node kube-node-2:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-17T07:16:01Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   linux/amd64
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__json.out.json b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__json.out.json
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..1b5d67bfb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__json.out.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"clientVersion":{"major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"dirty","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"darwin/amd64","imageTag":"ivan4th_version"},"nodeVersions":[{"NodeName":"kube-node-1","major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"clean","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"linux/amd64","imageTag":""},{"NodeName":"kube-node-2","major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"clean","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"linux/amd64","imageTag":""}]}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__json.out.txt b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__json.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..1b5d67bfb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__json.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"clientVersion":{"major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"dirty","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"darwin/amd64","imageTag":"ivan4th_version"},"nodeVersions":[{"NodeName":"kube-node-1","major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"clean","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"linux/amd64","imageTag":""},{"NodeName":"kube-node-2","major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"clean","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"linux/amd64","imageTag":""}]}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__short.out.txt b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__short.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..dae7c16bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__short.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Client: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+Node kube-node-1: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+Node kube-node-2: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__text.out.txt b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__text.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..153f7e7c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__text.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+Client:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   darwin/amd64
+  ImageTag:   ivan4th_version
+Node kube-node-1:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   linux/amd64
+Node kube-node-2:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   linux/amd64
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__text_01.out.txt b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__text_01.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..d2f233306
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__text_01.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+Client:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   darwin/amd64
+  ImageTag:   ivan4th_version
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__text__empty.out.txt b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__text__empty.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..d2f233306
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__text__empty.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+Client:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   darwin/amd64
+  ImageTag:   ivan4th_version
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__yaml.out.txt b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__yaml.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..fb89958f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__yaml.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+clientVersion:
+  buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+  compiler: gc
+  gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  gitTreeState: dirty
+  gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  goVersion: go1.8.3
+  imageTag: ivan4th_version
+  major: "1"
+  minor: "0"
+  platform: darwin/amd64
+nodeVersions:
+- NodeName: kube-node-1
+  buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+  compiler: gc
+  gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  gitTreeState: clean
+  gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+  goVersion: go1.8.3
+  imageTag: ""
+  major: "1"
+  minor: "0"
+  platform: linux/amd64
+- NodeName: kube-node-2
+  buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+  compiler: gc
+  gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  gitTreeState: clean
+  gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+  goVersion: go1.8.3
+  imageTag: ""
+  major: "1"
+  minor: "0"
+  platform: linux/amd64
diff --git a/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__yaml.out.yaml b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__yaml.out.yaml
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..fb89958f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/TestVersionCommand__yaml.out.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+clientVersion:
+  buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+  compiler: gc
+  gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  gitTreeState: dirty
+  gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  goVersion: go1.8.3
+  imageTag: ivan4th_version
+  major: "1"
+  minor: "0"
+  platform: darwin/amd64
+nodeVersions:
+- NodeName: kube-node-1
+  buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+  compiler: gc
+  gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  gitTreeState: clean
+  gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+  goVersion: go1.8.3
+  imageTag: ""
+  major: "1"
+  minor: "0"
+  platform: linux/amd64
+- NodeName: kube-node-2
+  buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+  compiler: gc
+  gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  gitTreeState: clean
+  gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+  goVersion: go1.8.3
+  imageTag: ""
+  major: "1"
+  minor: "0"
+  platform: linux/amd64
diff --git a/pkg/tools/gen.go b/pkg/tools/gen.go
index c6c81b932..c182c687a 100644
--- a/pkg/tools/gen.go
+++ b/pkg/tools/gen.go
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func NewGenCmd(out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 	}
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&g.dev, "dev", false, "Development mode for use with kubeadm-dind-cluster")
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&g.compat, "compat", false, "Produce YAML that's compatible with older Kubernetes versions")
-	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&g.tag, "tag", version.VirtletImageTag, "Set virtlet image tag")
+	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&g.tag, "tag", version.Get().ImageTag, "Set virtlet image tag")
 	return cmd
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/tools/version.go b/pkg/tools/version.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f59e6b55a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/version.go
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2018 Mirantis
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package tools
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/Mirantis/virtlet/pkg/version"
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+)
+
+type versionCommand struct {
+	client     KubeClient
+	out        io.Writer
+	format     string
+	short      bool
+	clientOnly bool
+	info       version.Info
+}
+
+// NewVersionCommand returns a cobra.Command that prints Virtlet
+// version info
+func NewVersionCommand(client KubeClient, out io.Writer, info *version.Info) *cobra.Command {
+	v := &versionCommand{client: client, out: out}
+	if info == nil {
+		v.info = version.Get()
+	} else {
+		v.info = *info
+	}
+	cmd := &cobra.Command{
+		Use:   "version",
+		Short: "Display Virtlet version information",
+		Long:  "Display information about virtletctl version and Virtlet versions on the nodes",
+		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+			if len(args) != 0 {
+				return errors.New("This command does not accept arguments")
+			}
+			return v.Run()
+		},
+	}
+	cmd.Flags().StringVarP(&v.format, "output", "o", "text", "One of 'text', 'short', 'yaml' or 'json'")
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&v.short, "short", false, "Print just the version number(s) (same as -o short)")
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&v.clientOnly, "client", false, "Print virtletctl version only")
+	return cmd
+}
+
+func (v *versionCommand) getVersions() (version.ClusterVersionInfo, error) {
+	vi := version.ClusterVersionInfo{ClientVersion: v.info}
+	if v.clientOnly {
+		return vi, nil
+	}
+
+	podNames, nodeNames, err := v.client.GetVirtletPodAndNodeNames()
+	if err != nil {
+		return vi, err
+	}
+
+	var errors []string
+	for n, podName := range podNames {
+		nodeName := nodeNames[n]
+		var buf bytes.Buffer
+		exitCode, err := v.client.ExecInContainer(
+			podName, "virtlet", "kube-system",
+			nil, &buf, os.Stderr,
+			[]string{"virtlet", "-version", "-version-format", "json"})
+		switch {
+		case err != nil:
+			errors = append(errors, fmt.Sprintf("node %q: error getting version from Virtlet pod %q: %v", nodeName, podName, err))
+			continue
+		case exitCode != 0:
+			errors = append(errors, fmt.Sprintf("node %q: error getting version from Virtlet pod %q: exit code %d", nodeName, podName, exitCode))
+			continue
+		}
+		var nv version.Info
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(buf.Bytes(), &nv); err != nil {
+			errors = append(errors, fmt.Sprintf("node %q: error unmarshalling version info from Virtlet pod %q: %v", nodeName, podName, err))
+			continue
+		}
+		nv.NodeName = nodeName
+		vi.NodeVersions = append(vi.NodeVersions, nv)
+	}
+	if !vi.AreNodesConsistent() {
+		errors = append(errors, "some of the nodes have inconsistent Virtlet builds")
+	}
+	if len(errors) != 0 {
+		return vi, fmt.Errorf("error encountered on some of the nodes:\n%s", strings.Join(errors, "\n"))
+	}
+	return vi, nil
+}
+
+func (v *versionCommand) Run() error {
+	if v.short {
+		v.format = "short"
+	}
+	vi, collectErr := v.getVersions()
+	bs, err := vi.ToBytes(v.format)
+	if err == nil {
+		_, err = v.out.Write(bs)
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return collectErr
+}
diff --git a/pkg/tools/version_test.go b/pkg/tools/version_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..362bfb9dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/tools/version_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,218 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2018 Mirantis
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package tools
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/Mirantis/virtlet/pkg/version"
+	"github.com/Mirantis/virtlet/tests/gm"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+var (
+	clientVersionInfo = version.Info{
+		Major:        "1",
+		Minor:        "0",
+		GitVersion:   "v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty",
+		GitCommit:    "318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a",
+		GitTreeState: "dirty",
+		BuildDate:    "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z",
+		GoVersion:    "go1.8.3",
+		Compiler:     "gc",
+		Platform:     "darwin/amd64",
+		ImageTag:     "ivan4th_version",
+	}
+	nodeVersionInfo = version.Info{
+		Major:        "1",
+		Minor:        "0",
+		GitVersion:   "v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609",
+		GitCommit:    "318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a",
+		GitTreeState: "clean",
+		BuildDate:    "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z",
+		GoVersion:    "go1.8.3",
+		Compiler:     "gc",
+		Platform:     "linux/amd64",
+	}
+	nodeVersionInfo1 = version.Info{
+		Major:        "1",
+		Minor:        "0",
+		GitVersion:   "v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609",
+		GitCommit:    "318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a",
+		GitTreeState: "clean",
+		// different build date
+		BuildDate: "2018-04-17T07:16:01Z",
+		GoVersion: "go1.8.3",
+		Compiler:  "gc",
+		Platform:  "linux/amd64",
+	}
+)
+
+func versionInfoToString(v version.Info) string {
+	out, err := v.ToBytes("json")
+	if err != nil {
+		panic("version info marshalling failed")
+	}
+	return string(out)
+}
+
+func TestVersionCommand(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name             string
+		args             string
+		virtletPods      map[string]string
+		expectedCommands map[string]string
+		errSubstring     string
+		wrap             func([]byte) gm.Verifier
+		noOutput         bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "text",
+			virtletPods: map[string]string{
+				"kube-node-1": "virtlet-foo42",
+				"kube-node-2": "virtlet-bar42",
+			},
+			expectedCommands: map[string]string{
+				"virtlet-foo42/virtlet/kube-system: virtlet -version -version-format json": versionInfoToString(nodeVersionInfo),
+				"virtlet-bar42/virtlet/kube-system: virtlet -version -version-format json": versionInfoToString(nodeVersionInfo),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "text/empty",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "short",
+			args: "--short",
+			virtletPods: map[string]string{
+				"kube-node-1": "virtlet-foo42",
+				"kube-node-2": "virtlet-bar42",
+			},
+			expectedCommands: map[string]string{
+				"virtlet-foo42/virtlet/kube-system: virtlet -version -version-format json": versionInfoToString(nodeVersionInfo),
+				"virtlet-bar42/virtlet/kube-system: virtlet -version -version-format json": versionInfoToString(nodeVersionInfo),
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "json",
+			args: "-o json",
+			virtletPods: map[string]string{
+				"kube-node-1": "virtlet-foo42",
+				"kube-node-2": "virtlet-bar42",
+			},
+			expectedCommands: map[string]string{
+				"virtlet-foo42/virtlet/kube-system: virtlet -version -version-format json": versionInfoToString(nodeVersionInfo),
+				"virtlet-bar42/virtlet/kube-system: virtlet -version -version-format json": versionInfoToString(nodeVersionInfo),
+			},
+			wrap: func(bs []byte) gm.Verifier { return gm.NewJSONVerifier(bs) },
+		},
+		{
+			name: "yaml",
+			args: "-o yaml",
+			virtletPods: map[string]string{
+				"kube-node-1": "virtlet-foo42",
+				"kube-node-2": "virtlet-bar42",
+			},
+			expectedCommands: map[string]string{
+				"virtlet-foo42/virtlet/kube-system: virtlet -version -version-format json": versionInfoToString(nodeVersionInfo),
+				"virtlet-bar42/virtlet/kube-system: virtlet -version -version-format json": versionInfoToString(nodeVersionInfo),
+			},
+			wrap: func(bs []byte) gm.Verifier { return gm.NewYamlVerifier(bs) },
+		},
+		{
+			name: "client",
+			args: "--client",
+			virtletPods: map[string]string{
+				"kube-node-1": "virtlet-foo42",
+				"kube-node-2": "virtlet-bar42",
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "client+short",
+			args: "--client --short",
+			virtletPods: map[string]string{
+				"kube-node-1": "virtlet-foo42",
+				"kube-node-2": "virtlet-bar42",
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "client+json",
+			args: "--client -o json",
+			virtletPods: map[string]string{
+				"kube-node-1": "virtlet-foo42",
+				"kube-node-2": "virtlet-bar42",
+			},
+			wrap: func(bs []byte) gm.Verifier { return gm.NewJSONVerifier(bs) },
+		},
+		{
+			name: "client+yaml",
+			args: "--client -o yaml",
+			virtletPods: map[string]string{
+				"kube-node-1": "virtlet-foo42",
+				"kube-node-2": "virtlet-bar42",
+			},
+			wrap: func(bs []byte) gm.Verifier { return gm.NewYamlVerifier(bs) },
+		},
+		{
+			name: "inconsistent",
+			virtletPods: map[string]string{
+				"kube-node-1": "virtlet-foo42",
+				"kube-node-2": "virtlet-bar42",
+			},
+			expectedCommands: map[string]string{
+				"virtlet-foo42/virtlet/kube-system: virtlet -version -version-format json": versionInfoToString(nodeVersionInfo),
+				"virtlet-bar42/virtlet/kube-system: virtlet -version -version-format json": versionInfoToString(nodeVersionInfo1),
+			},
+			errSubstring: "some of the nodes have inconsistent Virtlet builds",
+		},
+		{
+			name:         "bad",
+			args:         "-o foobar",
+			errSubstring: "bad version format",
+			noOutput:     true,
+		},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			c := &fakeKubeClient{
+				t:                t,
+				virtletPods:      tc.virtletPods,
+				expectedCommands: tc.expectedCommands,
+			}
+			var out bytes.Buffer
+			cmd := NewVersionCommand(c, &out, &clientVersionInfo)
+			if tc.args != "" {
+				cmd.SetArgs(strings.Split(tc.args, " "))
+			}
+			cmd.SilenceUsage = true
+			cmd.SilenceErrors = true
+			switch err := cmd.Execute(); {
+			case err != nil && tc.errSubstring == "":
+				t.Fatalf("virsh command returned an unexpected error: %v", err)
+			case err == nil && tc.errSubstring != "":
+				t.Fatalf("Didn't get expected error (substring %q), output: %q", tc.errSubstring, out.String())
+			case err != nil && !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tc.errSubstring):
+				t.Fatalf("Didn't get expected substring %q in the error: %v", tc.errSubstring, err)
+			case !tc.noOutput:
+				// ok
+			case tc.wrap != nil:
+				gm.Verify(t, tc.wrap(out.Bytes()))
+			default:
+				gm.Verify(t, out.Bytes())
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__json.out.json b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__json.out.json
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..1b5d67bfb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__json.out.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"clientVersion":{"major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"dirty","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"darwin/amd64","imageTag":"ivan4th_version"},"nodeVersions":[{"NodeName":"kube-node-1","major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"clean","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"linux/amd64","imageTag":""},{"NodeName":"kube-node-2","major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"clean","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"linux/amd64","imageTag":""}]}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__json__empty.out.json b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__json__empty.out.json
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..2f8a41bf5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__json__empty.out.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"clientVersion":{"major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"dirty","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"darwin/amd64","imageTag":"ivan4th_version"}}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__short.out.txt b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__short.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..dae7c16bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__short.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Client: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+Node kube-node-1: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+Node kube-node-2: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
diff --git a/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__short__empty.out.txt b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__short__empty.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..440c26279
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__short__empty.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Client: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
diff --git a/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__text.out.txt b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__text.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..153f7e7c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__text.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+Client:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   darwin/amd64
+  ImageTag:   ivan4th_version
+Node kube-node-1:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   linux/amd64
+Node kube-node-2:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   linux/amd64
diff --git a/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__text__empty.out.txt b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__text__empty.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..d2f233306
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__text__empty.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+Client:
+  Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+  Go Version: go1.8.3
+  Compiler:   gc
+  Platform:   darwin/amd64
+  ImageTag:   ivan4th_version
diff --git a/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__yaml.out.yaml b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__yaml.out.yaml
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..fb89958f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__yaml.out.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+clientVersion:
+  buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+  compiler: gc
+  gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  gitTreeState: dirty
+  gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  goVersion: go1.8.3
+  imageTag: ivan4th_version
+  major: "1"
+  minor: "0"
+  platform: darwin/amd64
+nodeVersions:
+- NodeName: kube-node-1
+  buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+  compiler: gc
+  gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  gitTreeState: clean
+  gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+  goVersion: go1.8.3
+  imageTag: ""
+  major: "1"
+  minor: "0"
+  platform: linux/amd64
+- NodeName: kube-node-2
+  buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+  compiler: gc
+  gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  gitTreeState: clean
+  gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609
+  goVersion: go1.8.3
+  imageTag: ""
+  major: "1"
+  minor: "0"
+  platform: linux/amd64
diff --git a/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__yaml__empty.out.yaml b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__yaml__empty.out.yaml
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..6c2e84ad5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/TestClusterVersion__yaml__empty.out.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+clientVersion:
+  buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+  compiler: gc
+  gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+  gitTreeState: dirty
+  gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+  goVersion: go1.8.3
+  imageTag: ivan4th_version
+  major: "1"
+  minor: "0"
+  platform: darwin/amd64
diff --git a/pkg/version/TestVersion__json.out.json b/pkg/version/TestVersion__json.out.json
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..20abf2c85
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/TestVersion__json.out.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"major":"1","minor":"0","gitVersion":"v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty","gitCommit":"318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a","gitTreeState":"dirty","buildDate":"2018-04-16T21:02:05Z","goVersion":"go1.8.3","compiler":"gc","platform":"darwin/amd64","imageTag":"ivan4th_version"}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pkg/version/TestVersion__short.out.txt b/pkg/version/TestVersion__short.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..3a41ee446
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/TestVersion__short.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pkg/version/TestVersion__text.out.txt b/pkg/version/TestVersion__text.out.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..949853b05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/TestVersion__text.out.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+Version:    v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+Commit:     318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+Build Date: 2018-04-16T21:02:05Z
+Go Version: go1.8.3
+Compiler:   gc
+Platform:   darwin/amd64
+ImageTag:   ivan4th_version
diff --git a/pkg/version/TestVersion__yaml.out.yaml b/pkg/version/TestVersion__yaml.out.yaml
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..b027428f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/TestVersion__yaml.out.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+buildDate: "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z"
+compiler: gc
+gitCommit: 318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a
+gitTreeState: dirty
+gitVersion: v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty
+goVersion: go1.8.3
+imageTag: ivan4th_version
+major: "1"
+minor: "0"
+platform: darwin/amd64
diff --git a/pkg/version/vars.go b/pkg/version/vars.go
index 9c8e1719f..958c703e5 100644
--- a/pkg/version/vars.go
+++ b/pkg/version/vars.go
@@ -17,7 +17,11 @@ limitations under the License.
 package version
 
 var (
-	// VirtletImageTag specifies the docker image tag to be added
-	// by 'virtletctl gen' to the docker image name
-	VirtletImageTag string
+	gitVersion   string
+	gitCommit    string
+	gitTreeState string
+	buildDate    string
+	gitMajor     string
+	gitMinor     string
+	imageTag     string
 )
diff --git a/pkg/version/version.go b/pkg/version/version.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fa39138e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/version.go
@@ -0,0 +1,192 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2018 Mirantis
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package version
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"log"
+	"runtime"
+
+	"github.com/ghodss/yaml"
+)
+
+// Info specifies Virtlet version info
+type Info struct {
+	// NodeName denotes the name of the node this info belongs too
+	// (empty if not applicable)
+	NodeName string `json:",omitempty"`
+	// Major is the major version number
+	Major string `json:"major"`
+	// Minor is the minor version number
+	Minor string `json:"minor"`
+	// GitVersion is the full version string
+	GitVersion string `json:"gitVersion"`
+	// GitCommit is the git commit id
+	GitCommit string `json:"gitCommit"`
+	// GitTreeState is the git tree state, which can be either "clean" or "dirty"
+	GitTreeState string `json:"gitTreeState"`
+	// BuildDate is the build date, e.g. 2018-04-16T18:48:12Z
+	BuildDate string `json:"buildDate"`
+	// GoVersion is the Go version that was used to build Virtlet
+	GoVersion string `json:"goVersion"`
+	// Compiler is the name of the compiler toolchain that
+	// built the binary (either "gc" or "gccgo")
+	Compiler string `json:"compiler"`
+	// Platform denotes the platform such as "linux" or "darwin"
+	Platform string `json:"platform"`
+	// ImageTag specifies the image tag to use for Virtelt
+	ImageTag string `json:"imageTag"`
+}
+
+type formatVersion func(v Info) []byte
+
+func (v Info) text(indent string) []byte {
+	var b bytes.Buffer
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "%sVersion:    %s\n", indent, v.GitVersion)
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "%sCommit:     %s\n", indent, v.GitCommit)
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "%sBuild Date: %s\n", indent, v.BuildDate)
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "%sGo Version: %s\n", indent, v.GoVersion)
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "%sCompiler:   %s\n", indent, v.Compiler)
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "%sPlatform:   %s\n", indent, v.Platform)
+	if v.ImageTag != "" {
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "%sImageTag:   %s\n", indent, v.ImageTag)
+	}
+	return b.Bytes()
+}
+
+var versionFormats = map[string]formatVersion{
+	"text": func(v Info) []byte {
+		return v.text("")
+	},
+	"short": func(v Info) []byte {
+		return []byte(v.GitVersion)
+	},
+	"json": func(v Info) []byte {
+		out, err := json.Marshal(v)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Panicf("Error marshaling version info to JSON: %#v: %v", v, err)
+		}
+		return out
+	},
+	"yaml": func(v Info) []byte {
+		out, err := yaml.Marshal(v)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Panicf("Error marshaling version info to YAML: %#v: %v", v, err)
+		}
+		return out
+	},
+}
+
+// ToBytes returns a text representation of Info using the specified
+// format which can be one of "text", "short", "json" or "yaml"
+func (v Info) ToBytes(format string) ([]byte, error) {
+	f := versionFormats[format]
+	if f == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("bad version format %q", format)
+	}
+	return f(v), nil
+}
+
+// Get returns the codebase version.
+func Get() Info {
+	return Info{
+		Major:        gitMajor,
+		Minor:        gitMinor,
+		GitVersion:   gitVersion,
+		GitCommit:    gitCommit,
+		GitTreeState: gitTreeState,
+		BuildDate:    buildDate,
+		GoVersion:    runtime.Version(),
+		Compiler:     runtime.Compiler,
+		Platform:     runtime.GOOS + "/" + runtime.GOARCH,
+		ImageTag:     imageTag,
+	}
+}
+
+// ClusterVersionInfo specifies Virtlet version info for the whole
+// cluster and the client
+type ClusterVersionInfo struct {
+	// ClientVersion denotes the version of Virtlet command line tool
+	ClientVersion Info `json:"clientVersion"`
+	// NodeVersions specify versions for each node that runs Virtlet
+	NodeVersions []Info `json:"nodeVersions,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type formatClusterVersion func(v ClusterVersionInfo) []byte
+
+var clusterVersionFormats = map[string]formatClusterVersion{
+	"text": func(v ClusterVersionInfo) []byte {
+		var b bytes.Buffer
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "Client:\n%s", v.ClientVersion.text("  "))
+		for _, nv := range v.NodeVersions {
+			fmt.Fprintf(&b, "Node %s:\n%s", nv.NodeName, nv.text("  "))
+		}
+		return b.Bytes()
+	},
+	"short": func(v ClusterVersionInfo) []byte {
+		var b bytes.Buffer
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "Client: %s\n", v.ClientVersion.GitVersion)
+		for _, nv := range v.NodeVersions {
+			fmt.Fprintf(&b, "Node %s: %s\n", nv.NodeName, nv.GitVersion)
+		}
+		return b.Bytes()
+	},
+	"json": func(v ClusterVersionInfo) []byte {
+		out, err := json.Marshal(v)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Panicf("Error marshaling version info to JSON: %#v: %v", v, err)
+		}
+		return out
+	},
+	"yaml": func(v ClusterVersionInfo) []byte {
+		out, err := yaml.Marshal(v)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Panicf("Error marshaling version info to YAML: %#v: %v", v, err)
+		}
+		return out
+	},
+}
+
+// ToBytes returns a text representation of ClusterVersionInfo using
+// the specified format which can be one of "text", "short", "json" or
+// "yaml"
+func (v ClusterVersionInfo) ToBytes(format string) ([]byte, error) {
+	f := clusterVersionFormats[format]
+	if f == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("bad version format %q", format)
+	}
+	return f(v), nil
+}
+
+// AreNodesConsistent returns true if all the nodes that run Virtlet
+// run exactly same Virtlet build
+func (v ClusterVersionInfo) AreNodesConsistent() bool {
+	if len(v.NodeVersions) == 0 {
+		return true
+	}
+	nv := v.NodeVersions[0]
+	nv.NodeName = ""
+	for _, curNV := range v.NodeVersions[1:] {
+		curNV.NodeName = ""
+		if nv != curNV {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}
diff --git a/pkg/version/version_test.go b/pkg/version/version_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..80ca5e332
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/version/version_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+package version
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/Mirantis/virtlet/tests/gm"
+)
+
+func withNodeName(name string, v Info) Info {
+	v.NodeName = name
+	return v
+}
+
+var (
+	sampleVersionInfo = Info{
+		Major:        "1",
+		Minor:        "0",
+		GitVersion:   "v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609-dirty",
+		GitCommit:    "318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a",
+		GitTreeState: "dirty",
+		BuildDate:    "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z",
+		GoVersion:    "go1.8.3",
+		Compiler:     "gc",
+		Platform:     "darwin/amd64",
+		ImageTag:     "ivan4th_version",
+	}
+	linuxVersionInfo = Info{
+		NodeName:     "kube-node-1",
+		Major:        "1",
+		Minor:        "0",
+		GitVersion:   "v1.0.0-6+318faff6ad0609",
+		GitCommit:    "318faff6ad060954387c1ff594bcbb4bb128577a",
+		GitTreeState: "clean",
+		BuildDate:    "2018-04-16T21:02:05Z",
+		GoVersion:    "go1.8.3",
+		Compiler:     "gc",
+		Platform:     "linux/amd64",
+	}
+	sampleClusterVersionInfo = ClusterVersionInfo{
+		ClientVersion: sampleVersionInfo,
+		NodeVersions: []Info{
+			withNodeName("kube-node-1", linuxVersionInfo),
+			withNodeName("kube-node-2", linuxVersionInfo),
+		},
+	}
+	emptyClusterVersionInfo = ClusterVersionInfo{
+		ClientVersion: sampleVersionInfo,
+	}
+)
+
+func TestVersion(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		format string
+		error  bool
+		wrap   func([]byte) gm.Verifier
+	}{
+		{
+			format: "text",
+			error:  false,
+		},
+		{
+			format: "short",
+			error:  false,
+		},
+		{
+			format: "json",
+			error:  false,
+			wrap:   func(bs []byte) gm.Verifier { return gm.NewJSONVerifier(bs) },
+		},
+		{
+			format: "yaml",
+			error:  false,
+			wrap:   func(bs []byte) gm.Verifier { return gm.NewYamlVerifier(bs) },
+		},
+		{
+			format: "foobar",
+			error:  true,
+		},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.format, func(t *testing.T) {
+			out, err := sampleVersionInfo.ToBytes(tc.format)
+			switch {
+			case err != nil && tc.error:
+				// ok
+			case err != nil:
+				t.Errorf("ToBytes(): unexpected error: %v", err)
+			case tc.wrap != nil:
+				gm.Verify(t, tc.wrap(out))
+			default:
+				gm.Verify(t, out)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClusterVersion(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		format string
+		error  bool
+		wrap   func([]byte) gm.Verifier
+	}{
+		{
+			format: "text",
+			error:  false,
+		},
+		{
+			format: "short",
+			error:  false,
+		},
+		{
+			format: "json",
+			error:  false,
+			wrap:   func(bs []byte) gm.Verifier { return gm.NewJSONVerifier(bs) },
+		},
+		{
+			format: "yaml",
+			error:  false,
+			wrap:   func(bs []byte) gm.Verifier { return gm.NewYamlVerifier(bs) },
+		},
+		{
+			format: "foobar",
+			error:  true,
+		},
+	} {
+		for _, sub := range []struct {
+			suffix string
+			v      ClusterVersionInfo
+		}{{"", sampleClusterVersionInfo}, {"/empty", emptyClusterVersionInfo}} {
+			t.Run(tc.format+sub.suffix, func(t *testing.T) {
+				out, err := sub.v.ToBytes(tc.format)
+				switch {
+				case err != nil && tc.error:
+					// ok
+				case err != nil:
+					t.Errorf("ToBytes(): unexpected error: %v", err)
+				case tc.wrap != nil:
+					gm.Verify(t, tc.wrap(out))
+				default:
+					gm.Verify(t, out)
+				}
+			})
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNodeConsistency(t *testing.T) {
+	if !emptyClusterVersionInfo.AreNodesConsistent() {
+		t.Errorf("unexpected node inconsistency in %#v (no nodes)", emptyClusterVersionInfo)
+	}
+	if !sampleClusterVersionInfo.AreNodesConsistent() {
+		t.Errorf("unexpected node inconsistency in %#v", sampleClusterVersionInfo)
+	}
+	v := ClusterVersionInfo{
+		ClientVersion: sampleVersionInfo,
+		NodeVersions: []Info{
+			withNodeName("kube-node-1", linuxVersionInfo),
+			withNodeName("kube-node-2", linuxVersionInfo),
+		},
+	}
+	v.NodeVersions[1].BuildDate = "2018-04-17T07:16:01Z"
+	if v.AreNodesConsistent() {
+		t.Errorf("nodes aren't expected to be consistent in %#v", v)
+	}
+}