FTP 120 Service Ready Soon vs 214 Help Message
FTP 120 (Service Ready Soon) is a 1xx Positive Preliminary response, while 214 (Help Message) is a 2xx Positive Completion response. 120 indicates that the service will be ready in a certain number of minutes. The server is not yet available but expects to be shortly. In contrast, 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
The service will be ready in a certain number of minutes. The server is not yet available but expects to be shortly.
When You See It
When connecting to an FTP server that is starting up or temporarily busy with maintenance tasks.
How to Fix
Wait the indicated number of minutes and try connecting again. If the server never becomes ready, contact the server administrator.
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
120 is a 1xx Positive Preliminary response, while 214 is a 2xx Positive Completion response.
FTP 120: The service will be ready in a certain number of minutes. The server is not yet available but expects to be shortly.
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 120 when when connecting to an FTP server that is starting up or temporarily busy with maintenance tasks.
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 120 (Service Ready Soon): Wait the indicated number of minutes and try connecting again. If the server never becomes ready, contact the server administrator. For 214 (Help Message): No fix needed — this is an informational response. Use it to discover which commands the server supports.