FTP 215 System Type vs 501 Syntax Error in Arguments
FTP 215 (System Type) is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 501 (Syntax Error in Arguments) is a 5xx Permanent Negative response. 215 indicates that the NAME system type, where NAME is an official system name from the list in the Assigned Numbers document. Reports the operating system of the server. In contrast, 501 means that syntax error in parameters or arguments. The command was recognized but its arguments are invalid or malformed.
Description
The NAME system type, where NAME is an official system name from the list in the Assigned Numbers document. Reports the operating system of the server.
When You See It
After issuing the SYST command. The server reports its operating system type, commonly 'UNIX Type: L8' or 'Windows_NT'.
How to Fix
No fix needed — use this information to adjust path separators and line endings for the server's OS type.
Description
Syntax error in parameters or arguments. The command was recognized but its arguments are invalid or malformed.
When You See It
When you use a valid command but with wrong parameters, such as an invalid path format or incorrect argument count.
How to Fix
Review the command's required argument format. Common issues include missing quotes around paths with spaces or invalid character encoding.
Key Differences
215 is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 501 is a 5xx Permanent Negative response.
FTP 215: The NAME system type, where NAME is an official system name from the list in the Assigned Numbers document. Reports the operating system of the server.
FTP 501: Syntax error in parameters or arguments. The command was recognized but its arguments are invalid or malformed.
You encounter 215 when after issuing the SYST command. The server reports its operating system type, commonly 'UNIX Type: L8' or 'Windows_NT'.
You encounter 501 when when you use a valid command but with wrong parameters, such as an invalid path format or incorrect argument count.
When to Use Which
For 215 (System Type): No fix needed — use this information to adjust path separators and line endings for the server's OS type. For 501 (Syntax Error in Arguments): Review the command's required argument format. Common issues include missing quotes around paths with spaces or invalid character encoding.