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c#asp.netcookiesviewstatemachinekey

Uses for MachineKey in ASP.NET

What different ways are Machine Keys useful in asp.net? I think the following are correct but thought there may be more.

  1. Multiple applications can use the same cookie
  2. Multiple servers can work with the same viewstate
Solution

  • MachineKey is used for:

    • ViewState encryption and validation
    • Forms Authentication (or Federated Authentication) uses this key for signing the authentication ticket

    Having a Web App installed on multiple servers requires same Machine Key configured on all of them in order for Load Balancing to work.

    To see all details, please refer to: MSDN How To: Configure MachineKey in ASP.NET 2.0