FTP reply code 213 is returned in response to a SIZE command or a STAT command with a pathname argument. When responding to SIZE, it contains just the file size in bytes — clients use this to set up progress bars and verify transfers completed correctly. When responding to STAT with a path, it includes detailed file information similar to a directory listing (permissions, owner, size, modification date). The SIZE command response (213) is essential for transfer resumption — the client needs to know the current file size to calculate the byte offset for REST.
The client sent SIZE to determine the file size before downloading. The 213 response contains the size in bytes as a decimal number. This is used for progress tracking and resume calculations.
The client sent MDTM (Modification Time) to check when the file was last modified. The 213 response contains the timestamp in YYYYMMDDHHMMSS format. This is used for mirroring and synchronization.
The client sent STAT /path/to/file to get detailed file status without initiating a data connection. The server returns file metadata inline on the control connection.
After a file transfer, send SIZE to compare the remote file size with the local file. If the sizes do not match, the transfer may have been interrupted or corrupted.
curl -v ftp://ftp.example.com/file.zip -Q 'SIZE file.zip'
When mirroring files, use MDTM to check modification times. Only download files that have changed since your last sync.
The server is reporting its system status or listing supported features.
The server is ready to transfer the file and is about to open the data connection.
The file or directory operation was completed successfully.