FTP 214 Help Message vs 227 Entering Passive Mode
Both FTP 214 (Help Message) and 227 (Entering Passive Mode) 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, 227 means that entering Passive Mode. The server provides an IP address and port number for the client to connect to for data transfer, formatted as (h1,h2,h3,h4,p1,p2).
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
Entering Passive Mode. The server provides an IP address and port number for the client to connect to for data transfer, formatted as (h1,h2,h3,h4,p1,p2).
When You See It
After issuing the PASV command. The server switches to passive mode and tells the client where to connect for data transfer.
How to Fix
No fix needed — parse the IP and port from the response to establish the data connection. If connections fail, check NAT/firewall rules on the passive port range.
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 227: Entering Passive Mode. The server provides an IP address and port number for the client to connect to for data transfer, formatted as (h1,h2,h3,h4,p1,p2).
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 227 when after issuing the PASV command. The server switches to passive mode and tells the client where to connect for data transfer.
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 227 (Entering Passive Mode): No fix needed — parse the IP and port from the response to establish the data connection. If connections fail, check NAT/firewall rules on the passive port range.