Rockwell has declared that Version 20 firmware is in "Extended Service Life." While they no longer release new features, they have finalized the revision. If your system is running V20.01 or V20.03, upgrading to 20.12 is a low-risk, high-reward maintenance action.
While often overlooked in favor of the major revision number, v20.12 is widely considered the most stable and refined iteration of the RSLogix 5000 / Studio 5000 environment before the architectural shifts seen in Version 21 and beyond.
Within the v20 series, revision 20.12 is a minor update that builds upon the major enhancements introduced in RSLogix 5000 version 20.0. It benefits from the core features of v20 while incorporating important bug fixes and reliability improvements over earlier 20.x iterations. The change from 20.0 to 20.12 is not merely incremental; it addresses several anomalies and stability concerns present in initial v20 releases.
Revision 20.12/20.012 is noted for improved interaction with later software versions like v20.04, which was designed to resolve minor revision compatibility "lock-out" issues seen in v20.03. Update Precautions rslogix 5000 firmware 20.12
A notorious trap for automated systems engineers is the Rockwell "Minor Revision Compatibility" rule.
This unique behavior of v20.03 has significant implications for teamwork and troubleshooting. If one engineer upgrades to 20.03 and makes changes, other team members without 20.03 will be locked out. This is why it is crucial to coordinate software versions across a facility.
| Attribute | Detail | | --- | --- | | | RSLogix 5000 Enterprise Series (v20.12) | | Last Build Date | March 2020 (approx) | | Catalog Number for FW | 20.12 (Download via PCDC) | | Compatible Controllers | 1756-L71/B/C, 1756-L73, 1769-L33ER, 1769-L36ERM | | Major Limitation | No Studio 5000 View, no Safety Partner v3+ | | FactoryTalk Linx | Requires FT Linx 6.00+ | Rockwell has declared that Version 20 firmware is
While upgrading to firmware 20.12 offers several advantages, there are also considerations to keep in mind:
Known anomalies and caveats
It contains vital security patches addressing vulnerabilities related to unauthorized firmware updates and communication port exploitation. Within the v20 series, revision 20
Ensure your PC has RSLogix 5000 v20.04 or v20.05 installed. If you are using v20.01 or v20.03, the software cannot parse the 20.12 firmware structures. 2. Minor Non-Recoverable Faults After Flash
Even a stable firmware has its quirks. Here are the most frequent issues engineers face with 20.12 and how to solve them.