I have an ASP.NET MVC3 application that uses an EF 4.1 DbContext, database-first data layer. The EDMX approach works fine as I tend to make changes to my data model before adapting the application to them. The application works fine with the special EF connection string that includes metadata references.

However, there's one fly in the ointment. The application also uses ASP.NET membership and roles which require a standard connection string. I have several use cases that involve both the membership tables and other (EF managed) tables. As the two use separate connection strings, transactions that involve both need DTS to handle them. I don't want to go that route if I can help it, I'd rather all parts of the application simply use the same connection.

Getting EF to run with a plain connection string however is eluding me. Can anyone tell me how it is done, please?