How To Solve Problem with Connection String on EF (Entity Framework) 4 or above

Article Number: 148 | Rating: 3/5 from 2 votes | Last Updated: Wed, Sep 24, 2025 at 12:13 AM

This article applies to anyone who uses Entity Framework (EF) type-of-codes on our shared server environment. Please be advised that when you host your database on our server, you will have to use the connection string on your web.config. The "usual" connection string on your web.config should be something similar to the one mentioned on this article.

If you are using Entity Framework on your code, the connection string on your web.config will look something like this:

<add name="conn_string" connectionString="metadata=res://*/App_Code.myApp.csdl|res://*/App_Code.myApp.ssdl|res://*/App_Code.myApp.msl;provider=System.Data.SqlClient;provider connection string="Data Source=data_source;uid=my_db_username;pwd=my_db_password;AttachDbFilename=App_Data\myApp.mdf;Integrated Security=True;Connect Timeout=30;MultipleActiveResultSets=True"" providerName="System.Data.EntityClient" />

Please be advised that the above connection string will not work on our server. When you have restored your database on our server, you must use the connection string determined by our server.

Therefore, to rectify the issue, you must change the connection string on your web.config to something like this:

<add name="conn_string" connectionString="metadata=res://*/App_Code.myApp.csdl|res://*/App_Code.myApp.ssdl|res://*/App_Code.myApp.msl;provider=System.Data.SqlClient;provider connection string="Data Source=our_SQL_Server_details;uid=my_db_uzsername;pwd=my_DB_password;Initial Catalog=my_DB_name;ConnectTimeout=30;MultipleActiveResultSets=True"" providerName="System.Data.EntityClient" />

Please pay close attention to the details in bold.

- our_SQL_Server_details refers to the SQL Server detail specified on our Control Panel. Please see this article
- my_db_username refers to the DB_username created on our Control Panel

- my_db_password refers to the DB_password created on our Control Panel

- my_db_name refers to the DB_name created on our Control Panel

Please also take note that "Integrated Security" line on your web.config should be removed.

If you still experience issues, please contact our Support Team by raising a support ticket via our Help Desk System