c# - Uses for MachineKey in ASP.NET

Question

What different ways are Machine Keys useful in asp.net? I think the following are correct but thought there may be more.

1. Multiple applications can use the same cookie
2. Multiple servers can work with the same viewstate

Answer 1

MachineKey is used for:

• ViewState encryption and validation
• Forms Authentication (or Federated Authentication) uses this key for signing the authentication ticket

Having a Web App installed on multiple servers requires same Machine Key configured on all of them in order for Load Balancing to work.

To see all details, please refer to: MSDN How To: Configure MachineKey in ASP.NET 2.0