FTP 120 Service Ready Soon vs 500 Syntax Error
FTP 120 (Service Ready Soon) is a 1xx Positive Preliminary response, while 500 (Syntax Error) is a 5xx Permanent Negative 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, 500 means that syntax error, command unrecognized. The server could not parse the command. This may also be sent when the command line is too long.
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
Syntax error, command unrecognized. The server could not parse the command. This may also be sent when the command line is too long.
When You See It
When you send a malformed or misspelled command, or a command the server does not recognize at all.
How to Fix
Check the command spelling and syntax. Use HELP to see the list of supported commands on this server.
Key Differences
120 is a 1xx Positive Preliminary response, while 500 is a 5xx Permanent Negative 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 500: Syntax error, command unrecognized. The server could not parse the command. This may also be sent when the command line is too long.
You encounter 120 when when connecting to an FTP server that is starting up or temporarily busy with maintenance tasks.
You encounter 500 when when you send a malformed or misspelled command, or a command the server does not recognize at all.
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 500 (Syntax Error): Check the command spelling and syntax. Use HELP to see the list of supported commands on this server.