FTP

FTP 212 Directory Status vs 214 Help Message

Both FTP 212 (Directory Status) and 214 (Help Message) belong to the 2xx Positive Completion category. 212 indicates that directory status reply. The server provides information about the current directory or a specified directory. Meanwhile, 214 means that help message. The server provides information about its implementation status, including a list of recognized commands or help for a specific command.

Description

Directory status reply. The server provides information about the current directory or a specified directory.

When You See It

After issuing the STAT command on a directory, the server returns the directory listing or status information.

How to Fix

No fix needed — this is an informational response showing directory contents or status.

Description

Help message. The server provides information about its implementation status, including a list of recognized commands or help for a specific command.

When You See It

After issuing the HELP command. The server returns a list of supported commands or detailed usage for a specific command.

How to Fix

No fix needed — this is an informational response. Use it to discover which commands the server supports.

Key Differences

1.

FTP 212: Directory status reply. The server provides information about the current directory or a specified directory.

2.

FTP 214: Help message. The server provides information about its implementation status, including a list of recognized commands or help for a specific command.

3.

You encounter 212 when after issuing the STAT command on a directory, the server returns the directory listing or status information.

4.

You encounter 214 when after issuing the HELP command. The server returns a list of supported commands or detailed usage for a specific command.

When to Use Which

For 212 (Directory Status): No fix needed — this is an informational response showing directory contents or status. For 214 (Help Message): No fix needed — this is an informational response. Use it to discover which commands the server supports.

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