OpenWebConfiguration Not Loading Subfolder Web.Config

Question

OpenWebConfiguration Not Loading Subfolder Web.Config

Julio Bello 221

Hi, Everybody!...

I have a web service that is the "umbrella" web service for other web services. The common web.config file resides in the default folder of the web service. Each individual service has its own web.config file in its subfolder. When I invoke WebConfigurationManager.OpenWebConfiguration("/subService"), I expect it to load all the common configuration settings and add/override the individual service's configuration settings. It does not seem to be working. No Exceptions are thrown. What am I missing?

AgaveJoe 31,361 Reputation points

2022-04-15T22:38:18.667+00:00

The default behavior is all subfolder inherit the root web.config. Unfortunately, you have not explained how the sub applications are configured in IIS. I assume you've created separate applications and app pools so the sub applications are really just separate applications with a common virtual root.

What kind of web service are you creating? ASPX, WCF, Web API??
Lan Huang-MSFT 30,221 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2022-04-18T08:12:12.24+00:00

Hi @Julio Bello ,
I think it might be a problem with the path, you can try WebConfigurationManager.OpenWebConfiguration("~/subService").
I suggest you breakpoint to see detailed fetch information.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/debugger/using-breakpoints?view=vs-2022
Best regards,
Lan Huang
Julio Bello 221 Reputation points

2022-04-18T08:47:25.683+00:00

Hi, AgaveJoe!...

Thank-you for your prompt response. I hope you had a blessed Easter/Passover (Passover is still on-going).

Your assumptions were correct. I had created separate applications and application pools. All the sub applications were really just separate applications with a common virtual root.

However, I thought that if one were to provide the path of the web.config, WebConfigurationManager.OpenWebConfiguration("/subService") would go down the directory hierarchy to the specified path, loading all the common configuration settings and adding/overriding the individual service's configuration settings. There is an additional caveat: It cannot be any, arbitrary, subdirectory. It must also be along the application path.

The WebConfigurationManager.OpenWebConfiguration("/subService") did not throw any exceptions to that effect. It apparently simply "ignored" that web.config without warnings and/or indications that the web.config file was "ignored".

The matter has since been resolved. Thank-you for coming your assistance.
Julio Bello 221 Reputation points

2022-04-18T08:56:16.267+00:00

Hi, Lan Huang!...

Thank-you for your prompt response. I hope you had a blessed Easter/Passover (Passover is still on-going).

See my response to AgaveJoe above.

The matter has since been resolved. Thank-you for coming your assistance.