Article ID: 308482 - Last Review: June 23, 2005 - Revision: 1.1

You receive error code 425 when you use the NLST command from a command-line FTP client

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This article was previously published under Q308482
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SYMPTOMS

When a client tries to use the FTP NLST command from the command-line FTP client, the client may receive the following message:
150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for file list.
The client may also receive the following error message:
425 Can't open data connection.
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CAUSE

This behavior occurs if the server successfully receives the NLST command, but the server cannot open a data connection to the client.
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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
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MORE INFORMATION

With FTP commands such as NLST and LIST, the client must open a port to listen for an incoming data connection from the server. The command-line FTP client does not open a port. The default port is 20. When the server tries to connect to the client on the default port, the client does not have that port open. Therefore, the data connection is not successful, and the client receives the 425 error message.

The following is a sample session from the command-line Ftp.exe:
C:\>ftp server
Connected to server.
220 usernt Microsoft FTP Service (Version 4.0).
User (server:(none)): anonymous
331 Anonymous access allowed, send identity (e-mail name) as password.
Password:
230 Anonymous user logged in.
ftp> ls
200 PORT command successful.
150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for file list.
226 Transfer complete.
ftp> literal nlst
150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for file list.
ftp> literal nlst
425 Can't open data connection.
150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for file list.
ftp> quit
425 Can't open data connection.
C:\>
The following is a sample session that uses Telnet: 
220 server Microsoft FTP Service (Version 4.0).
user anonymous
331 Anonymous access allowed, send identity (e-mail name) as password.
user@microsoft.com
230 Anonymous user logged in.
nlst
150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for file list.
425 Can't open data connection.
quit
221
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Information Services 5.0
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Keywords: 
kbinfo kbprb KB308482
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