Replace ancient host with new one

[pufferdude]

I apologize if this is covered somewhere here already... just point me there if so.

I have a four host vSphere environment (two hosts in a cluster at main site, one host in a cluster at two remote sites). The hosts at the remote sites are ancient and I need to replace the hardware. Though the main cluster is running vSphere 5.5 (and this is also where the Veeam server lives), the remote sites are still on 4.1. I was hoping that I could do the following:

1. Install new vSpher 5.5 host at remote site (can I even put a 5.5 host in the same cluster as a 4.1 host?)
2. Veeam QuickMigrate the three small VMs from the old host to new.
3. Decommission old 4.1 host.

I don't see a need for EVC and all that to do vMotion between old and new since I have so few VMs... just wondering if this is a viable plan or if there's a better way.

[foggy]

Yes, 4.1 and 5.5 hosts can be in the same cluster (make sure to upgrade vCenter first) and yes, you can use Quick Migration for that kind of migration.

[Shestakov]

Despite vSphere 4.1 and 5.5 can work in the same cluster, it`s considered as best practice to have equally updated hosts in a cluster.
So my suggestion is to to update both hosts.
Thanks!

[pufferdude]

Shestakov- Not sure I understand what you're saying... I'm only having two different-version hosts in the same cluster in order to migrate from the old hardware to new, then the old host goes away and there's only one remaining (new) host in the cluster.

Foggy- Thanks for the sanity check!

[Shestakov]

Thanks for the clarification.
I meant having hosts of different version in the cluster permanently.