MVC Controller within another controller?

Question

I'm wondering whether it's possible to have several nested controllers within one main one in MVC 3? For example:

public class AdminController : Controller
{
    public class PagesController : Controller
    {
    }
    //More controllers
}

I've tried this but couldn't get it to work, have modified my routes in global.asx but still nothing. How can I call the correct controller from AdminController when the url is for example:

/Admin/Pages/Index

Answer 1

It sounds like what you are after is Areas . That will give you the URL routing structure you are seeking, but it does not use "controllers within controllers" to accomplish this.

Instead you will have an Admin area with a Pages controller in that area.

Answer 2

No this is not allowed. The controller factory won't be able to resolve it.