FTP 214 Help Message vs 220 Service Ready
Both FTP 214 (Help Message) and 220 (Service Ready) belong to the 2xx Positive Completion category. 214 indicates that help message. The server provides information about its implementation status, including a list of recognized commands or help for a specific command. Meanwhile, 220 means that service ready for new user. This is the greeting message sent by the FTP server when a client first connects.
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.
Description
Service ready for new user. This is the greeting message sent by the FTP server when a client first connects.
When You See It
Immediately upon connecting to an FTP server. This is the welcome banner confirming the server is accepting connections.
How to Fix
No fix needed — the server is ready. Proceed with USER and PASS commands to authenticate.
Key Differences
FTP 214: Help message. The server provides information about its implementation status, including a list of recognized commands or help for a specific command.
FTP 220: Service ready for new user. This is the greeting message sent by the FTP server when a client first connects.
You encounter 214 when after issuing the HELP command. The server returns a list of supported commands or detailed usage for a specific command.
You encounter 220 when immediately upon connecting to an FTP server. This is the welcome banner confirming the server is accepting connections.
When to Use Which
For 214 (Help Message): No fix needed — this is an informational response. Use it to discover which commands the server supports. For 220 (Service Ready): No fix needed — the server is ready. Proceed with USER and PASS commands to authenticate.