FTP 213 File Status vs 214 Help Message
Both FTP 213 (File Status) and 214 (Help Message) belong to the 2xx Positive Completion category. 213 indicates that file status reply. The server provides information about a specific file, typically its size or modification time. 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
File status reply. The server provides information about a specific file, typically its size or modification time.
When You See It
After issuing the SIZE or MDTM command, the server returns the file size in bytes or the last modification timestamp.
How to Fix
No fix needed — this is an informational response. Use the returned data to determine file size before download or to check timestamps for synchronization.
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
FTP 213: File status reply. The server provides information about a specific file, typically its size or modification time.
FTP 214: Help message. The server provides information about its implementation status, including a list of recognized commands or help for a specific command.
You encounter 213 when after issuing the SIZE or MDTM command, the server returns the file size in bytes or the last modification timestamp.
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 213 (File Status): No fix needed — this is an informational response. Use the returned data to determine file size before download or to check timestamps for synchronization. For 214 (Help Message): No fix needed — this is an informational response. Use it to discover which commands the server supports.