501: syntax error -- pathname `pathname` not allowed for working directory `directory`

Explanation

The FTP server received an XFIF command. The XFIF command is a z/OS® FTP proprietary command that directs the server to create a named pipe. The XFIF pathname parameter is a relative path name, and the current working directory is not a z/OS UNIX file system directory. Named pipes are supported only in the z/OS UNIX file system.

See the path and path name information in z/OS UNIX System Services User's Guide for information about absolute path names, relative path names, and the z/OS UNIX file system. See the information about working with directories on the remote host in z/OS Communications Server: IP User's Guide and Commands for information about the working directory.

In the message text:

pathname: The relative path name of the named pipe.
directory: The working directory.

Example

Command:                                                                        
cd 'USER1'                                                                      
>>> CWD 'USER1'                                                                 
250 "USER1." is the working directory name prefix.                              
Command:                                                                        
mkfifo make.this.named.pipe                                                 
>>> xfif make.this.named.pipe                                                   
501 syntax error -- pathname make.this.named.pipe not allowed for working directory USER1.                                                                      
Command:

System action

The FTP server rejects the command.

User response

Do one of the following actions:

Change the working directory to a z/OS UNIX file system directory, and send the XFIF command to the server again.
Send a new XFIF command to the FTP server, specifying the named pipe as an absolute path name in the z/OS UNIX file system.

System programmer response

None.

Problem determination