IDENTITY_INSERT during seeding with EntityFramework 6 Code-First

Question

I have an entity that has an Auto-identity (int) column. As part of the data-seed I want to use specific identifier values for the \"standard data\" in my syste

Answer 1

I created an alternate constructor for my DbContext that takes a bool allowIdentityInserts. I set that bool to a private field of the same name on the DbContext.

My OnModelCreating then "unspecifies" the Identity spec if I create the context in that "mode"

    protected override void OnModelCreating(DbModelBuilder modelBuilder)
    {
        modelBuilder.Conventions.Remove();

        if(allowIdentityInsert)
        {
            modelBuilder.Entity()
                .Property(x => x.Id)
                .HasDatabaseGeneratedOption(DatabaseGeneratedOption.None);
        }
    }

This allows me to insert Ids without changing my actual database identity spec. I still need to use the identity insert on/off trick you did, but at least EF will send Id values.