WebApi 2.1 in IIS Hosting - OWIN

Question

I started by creating a console app and running as a self host OWIN app. Installed Web API and all works fine.

Now I installed the SystemWeb nuget package, change the type of app to "class library", change output folder to "bin\" only.

When I run the application using IIS Express, first time I load the app, I receive an exception:

Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.Owin, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35' or one of its dependencies. The located assembly's manifest definition does not match the assembly reference. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131040)

I realized that the System.Web.Http.Owin is referencing the Microsoft.Owin -V 2.0.2.0.

In the App.config the following exists:

<assemblyBinding xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1">
  <dependentAssembly>
    <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft.Owin" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" culture="neutral" />
    <bindingRedirect oldVersion="0.0.0.0-2.1.0.0" newVersion="2.1.0.0" />
  </dependentAssembly>
</assemblyBinding>

Despite the above, still getting the same exception. Any idea?

Thanks

Answer 1

I had this. Copy the app.config and rename it to web.config. This will enable IIS/IIS Express to use the necessary binding redirects.

Answer 2

From the References list, set the Owin DLL to be "Copied Always" on compile.

Answer 3

I don't think the binding redirect is doing anything for you since the version you referenced (2.0.2.0) isn't in the binding redirect.

You can use the Assembly Binding Log Viewer (Fuslogvw.exe) tool to debug type load exceptions.