Connection References in Multiple Solutions

[nmasmo]

Can a connection reference exist in multiple solutions?

On the surface, I would say yes. If you open up the object explorer for two different solutions, you can have what appears to be the same connection reference listed twice.

However, assume Object A requires this connection reference, and Object A lives in Solution A. And assume Object B requires this connection reference, and Object B lives in Solution B. When you look at the required objects for Object A and the required objects for Object B (required objects are visible when you click on the "See Dependencies" option), you will see the connection reference in both cases as being listed under only one of the managed solutions (specifically, Solution B). So this inclines me to believe that the connection reference only exists in Solution B, even though the object explorers for both Solution A and Solution B show this connection reference as existing in both of these solutions.

What is happening here? Any help appreciated!

I asked Chat GPT, and this is what it said:

Me: Can one connection reference exist in multiple solutions in Power Platform?

Chat GPT: 

In Microsoft's Power Platform, particularly in the context of Power Platform's solutions, a connection reference provides a way to store a connection to an external service (like a connector) in a way that's environment-agnostic. This allows for a more seamless movement of apps, flows, and other components between environments without needing to re-establish those external connections.

Now, to address the question: As of my last update in January 2022, a connection reference itself cannot exist in multiple solutions simultaneously. When you create a connection reference in one solution and try to add it to another solution, you are essentially creating a new instance of that connection reference in the other solution. While these connection references can have the same name and connect to the same service, they are distinct objects under the hood.

However, if you have multiple apps or flows within a single solution, they can all use the same connection reference within that solution.

Always remember that Power Platform and its related services are evolving rapidly, and Microsoft frequently releases updates and new features. It's advisable to check the official documentation or forums for the most up-to-date information on this topic.

[Amik]

@nmasmo 

Short answer: No. The purpose of a Connection Reference is allow your application to "talk" to another application. There is one Connection Reference per environment per connector. 

Longer answer: The Connection Reference exists and is provisioned only once in that environment, irrespective of which Solution the connection reference resides. For example if you export a Solution containing Power Automate Flows into another environment, those Flows will use the same Connection Reference existing Flows use. 

In my environment, I have adopted a "segmented Solution" model by segmenting specific components into their own Solutions. This includes a Solution which just contains Connection References.

Solution A and Solution B for example use the same connection references which are only stored in Solution C.

[nmasmo]

@Amik Thanks for the advice.

I have this scenario listed above in my production environment, and I am getting the following error when deploying:

"The imported solution and the existing solution must both be managed for upgrade"

Do you think the above-mentioned scenario could be causing this issue?

[Amik]

@nmasmo - You're receiving this message because you already have a managed solution in the production environment, but you're trying to import the same solution into that environment but as unmanaged. It is not possible to "convert" a managed solution into an unmanaged solution in the same environment (and vice versa).

[nmasmo]

@Amik I am exporting from my development environment as a managed solution. Also, the solution in my target production environment is managed. Yet I receive that error... I don't understand why.

[Amik]

@nmasmo - I suspect you have inadvertently introduced an unmanaged layer on top of a component used by your managed solution in your production environment. This can occur if you directly customise a component used by your Solution outside of the Solution. For example, you cannot edit a Canvas App inside a managed solution, but there is nothing preventing you from customising that Canvas App from the Apps page. Doing so however will introduce an unmanaged layer into your Solution.

In your managed solution, please click on each component and select advanced > solution layers. If you have any unmanaged layers for any component, please delete the unmanaged layer and then try to run your export again.

[nmasmo]

r