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How do you enable metadata exchange (WSDL) in a WCF service?

ICSM Computer 323 27-May-2025
c# c#  wcf 
Updated on 27-May-2025
ICSM Computer

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ICSM Computer

ICSM Computer

27-May-2025

To enable metadata exchange (WSDL) in a WCF service, you need to:

  1. Enable metadata publishing in the service behavior.
  2. Add a MEX (Metadata Exchange) endpoint.
  3. Optionally, enable HTTP GET access for easier browser-based discovery.

Step-by-Step: Enabling WSDL in WCF

1. Define the Service and Base Address

<system.serviceModel>
  <services>
    <service name="MyNamespace.MyService">
      <host>
        <baseAddresses>
          <add baseAddress="http://localhost:8080/MyService" />
        </baseAddresses>
      </host>

2. Add the MEX Endpoint

      <endpoint address="mex"
                binding="mexHttpBinding"
                contract="IMetadataExchange" />

This allows metadata exchange over HTTP using mexHttpBinding.

3. Enable Metadata Behavior

    </service>
  </services>

  <behaviors>
    <serviceBehaviors>
      <behavior name="MetaBehavior">
        <!-- Enable metadata publishing -->
        <serviceMetadata httpGetEnabled="true" />
        <!-- Optional: Include exception details in faults -->
        <serviceDebug includeExceptionDetailInFaults="true" />
      </behavior>
    </serviceBehaviors>
  </behaviors>

4. Link the Behavior to Your Service

Make sure the service references the behavior:

<service name="MyNamespace.MyService" behaviorConfiguration="MetaBehavior">

Full Example Configuration

<system.serviceModel>
  <services>
    <service name="MyNamespace.MyService" behaviorConfiguration="MetaBehavior">
      <host>
        <baseAddresses>
          <add baseAddress="http://localhost:8080/MyService" />
        </baseAddresses>
      </host>

      <endpoint address="" binding="basicHttpBinding" contract="MyNamespace.IMyService" />
      <endpoint address="mex" binding="mexHttpBinding" contract="IMetadataExchange" />
    </service>
  </services>

  <behaviors>
    <serviceBehaviors>
      <behavior name="MetaBehavior">
        <serviceMetadata httpGetEnabled="true" />
        <serviceDebug includeExceptionDetailInFaults="true" />
      </behavior>
    </serviceBehaviors>
  </behaviors>
</system.serviceModel>

Verifying Metadata Access

  • You should see the WSDL XML if everything is configured correctly.
  • Browse to:
http://localhost:8080/MyService?wsdl
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