ayi <t>You can't use an .mdf file in App_Data, but you aren't forced to SQL Azure -- you can use SQL Server Compact. Deployment from LocalDB to Compact is easy if you are using Code First Migrations; otherwise you will have to migrate to SQL Server Compact before you deploy. If you decide to go with Compact you'll have to make sure the database engine gets deployed, and you can find instructions for that in this tutorial:<br/> <br/> http://www.asp.net/mvc/tutorials/deployment/deployment-to-a-hosting-provider/deployment-to-a-hosting-provider-deploying-sql-server-compact-databases-2-of-12</t>
