Error
root@hostname [~]# /etc/init.d/proftpd restart
Stopping proftpd: [FAILED]
Starting proftpd: hostname.domainname.com – fatal: Socket operation on non-socket
[FAILED]
Reason
The ProFtpd was configured to run in “inetd” mode. In “inetd” mode, ProFTPD expects that it will be run from the inetd super-server, which implies that stdin/stdout will be sockets instead of terminals. As a result, socket operations will fail.
root@hostname [~]# grep ServerType /etc/proftpd.conf
ServerType inetd
root@hostname [~]#
Fix
Edit the proftpd configuration and change the ServerType to “standalone” mode and restarted ProFtpd.
root@hostname [~]# grep ServerType /etc/proftpd.conf
ServerType standalone
#ServerType inetd
root@hostname [~]# /etc/init.d/proftpd restart
Stopping proftpd: [FAILED]
Starting proftpd: [ OK ]
For more details : http://www.proftpd.org/docs/faq/linked/faq-ch4.html