IBM Data Server EF 6 Provider for Entity Framework 6 applications accessing IBM Data Servers
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As part of this release, IBM Data Server EF 6 Provider will be shipped via a NuGet package, EntityFramework.IBM.DB2 (6.4.0-alpha) available on nuget.org.
This package, EntityFramework.IBM.DB2 - is built on MS EF 6.4.0.

Prerequisites:
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1. Download Entity Framework 6 Tools for Visual Studio versions >= 2012:
   http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=40762

2. Download DB2 Version 10.5 Fix Pack 5 clients/drivers for Windows or later, apllications targeting .NET Framework:
   http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg24038828

   - For EF 6.4 apllications targeting .NET Standard 2.1, this package has dependency on Nuget package IBM.Data.DB2.Core(3.1.0.400-alpha).

Limitations:
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1. This alpha release adds toleration support for Entity Framework 6.4.0 multi-targeting i.e. .NET Framework 4.6.1 and .NET Standard 2.1 on Windows ONLY.

2. Entity Framework 6.4.0 apps targeting .NET Standard 2.1 would require Code based configuration of EF6 Provider e.g.:

    public class DB2EF6CodeBasedConfig : DbConfiguration
    {
        public DB2EF6CodeBasedConfig()
        {
            //SetDefaultConnectionFactory(new DB2ConnectionFactory());
            SetProviderFactory("IBM.Data.DB2.Core", DB2Factory.Instance);
            SetProviderServices("IBM.Data.DB2.Core", DB2ProviderServices.Instance);
        }
    }

3. In App/Web.config we need to update "provider" keyword to "IBM.Data.DB2.Core" in the corresponding connectionString.

4. A known issue with MS EF Tooling, if an application targets the x64 platform using our 'IBM Data Server EF 6 Provider' during EDM creation,
   It will see "Your project references the latest version of Entity Framework; however, an Entity Framework database provider compatible with
   this version could not be found for your data connection. If you have already installed a compatible provider, ensure you have rebuilt your project
   before performing this action. Otherwise, exit this wizard, install a compatible provider, and rebuild your project before performing this action" exception.
   
   The following link details about this issue:
   https://entityframework.codeplex.com/workitem/2506
   
   Possible Workarounds:
   i) Move the EF model into its own project that compiles as Any CPU, then add that project as a dependency of the x64 (64-bit) StartUp project.
  ii) Target the application to Any CPU platform.
 
Assistance:
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For questions about using this alpha release of IBM Data Server EF 6 Provider, please post a question on:
https://community.ibm.com/community/user/hybriddatamanagement/communities/community-home?communitykey=f2e5dc34-896d-4e8e-9678-724907c4b9f5&tab=groupdetails