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VMS FTP - File Specification Error

cmsjwilson Donor
Joined:: 2020-12-11
Posts:: 6

VMS FTP - File Specification Error

2020-12-12 14:44

Hello,
I'm attempting to copy files from a VMS server to a local directory using FTP protocol. During a file copy I receive a 'File Specification syntax error.'

Comparing file listing in 'Total Commander' GUI vs. 'WinSCP' GUI screens, I notice that WinSCP does not show the file extension numbers appended to the end of the filename. Ex: test.log;1
I know this is a VMS style dir/filename convention. Does WinSCP not support this?

I believe this is the main issue why I can't complete file transfers. Even though I receive the 'File Specification syntax error', an empty file (0 bytes) of the correct filename is created in the local directory. So, it somewhat works, but I believe the main issue is the VMS filename syntax.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

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martin◆ Site Admin
Joined:: 2002-12-10
Posts:: 41,518
Location:: Prague, Czechia

Re: VMS FTP - File Specification Error

2020-12-15

In general, WinSCP does not have a full support for VMS.

Anyway, please attach a full session log file showing the problem (using the latest version of WinSCP).

To generate the session log file, enable logging, log in to your server and do the operation and only the operation that causes the error. Submit the log with your post as an attachment. Note that passwords and passphrases not stored in the log. You may want to remove other data you consider sensitive though, such as host names, IP addresses, account names or file names (unless they are relevant to the problem). If you do not want to post the log publicly, you can mark the attachment as private.

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cmsjwilson Donor
Joined:: 2020-12-11
Posts:: 6

VMS FTP - File Specification Error

2020-12-15 16:51

Hi Martin,
Please see attached log file.

Thanks,
Chris

win_scp.log (51.32 KB, Private file)

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martin◆ Site Admin
Joined:: 2002-12-10
Posts:: 41,518
Location:: Prague, Czechia

Re: VMS FTP - File Specification Error

2020-12-18

What if you do just this?

get SDP_ERROR.LOG test.log

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cmsjwilson Donor
Joined:: 2020-12-11
Posts:: 6

VMS FTP - File Specification Error

2020-12-18 14:29

Hi Martin,
Thanks for the response.

I tried:

get SDP_ERROR.LOG test.log

Same file specification error.

When using Total Commander and listing out a directory, the file revision number is shown appended to the end of each file:

SDP_ERROR.LOG;1
SDP_ERROR.LOG;2
....
SDP_ERROR.LOG;47

WinSCP only displays:

SDP_ERROR.LOG

So, I'm sure this is the main issue.

I've tried this code, but and error is displayed saying the SDP_ERROR.LOG;1 can't be found on remote server.

get SDP_ERROR.LOG;1 test.log

Here is how Total commander copies a file from the VMS server to local directory:

200 PORT command successful.
RETR SDP_ERROR.LOG;47
150 Opening data connection for SDP_ERROR.LOG;47 (15.97.254.111,56955)
Download
Waiting for server...
226 Transfer complete.
Copied (12/18/2020 5:14:53): ftp://15.97.254.181DKA300:[000000.MCSVLOG]/SDP_ERROR.LOG;47 -> C:\Nikon_File_Transfer\scripts\SDP_ERROR.LOG;47 178 bytes, 0 bytes/s

Thanks,
Chris

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martin◆ Site Admin
Joined:: 2002-12-10
Posts:: 41,518
Location:: Prague, Czechia

Re: VMS FTP - File Specification Error

2020-12-22

cmsjwilson wrote:
I've tried this code, but and error is displayed saying the SDP_ERROR.LOG;1 can't be found on remote server.
get SDP_ERROR.LOG;1 test.log

Please post a log file for that.

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cmsjwilson Donor
Joined:: 2020-12-11
Posts:: 6

VMS FTP - File Specification Error

2020-12-22 16:07

Hi Martin,
As per your request, please see attached log.

Error occurs when I attempt this:

get SDP_ERROR.LOG;47 test.log

Thanks,
Chris

win_scp2.log (49.23 KB, Private file)

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martin◆ Site Admin

Re: VMS FTP - File Specification Error

2020-12-27

Please add ls command before the get command and post a new log.

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cmsjwilson Donor
Joined:: 2020-12-11
Posts:: 6

VMS FTP - File Specification Error

2020-12-27 16:40

Hi Martin,

As per your request I've added the 'ls' command prior to the 'get' command. Please see attached log.

Thank you,
Chris

win_scp3.log (82.11 KB, Private file)

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martin◆ Site Admin

Re: VMS FTP - File Specification Error

2021-01-01

Thanks. I'm sending you an email with a development version of WinSCP to the address you have used to register on this forum.

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cmsjwilson Donor
Joined:: 2020-12-11
Posts:: 6

VMS FTP - File Specification Error

2021-01-01 21:14

Thanks Martin.

I've replied to your email and attached the log files you requested.

Regards,
Chris

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martin◆ Site Admin

Re: VMS FTP - File Specification Error

2021-01-04

This issue has been added to the tracker:
https://winscp.net/tracker/1938

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