The answer is the Self-hosted Integration Runtime. This component is the correct choice because your on-premises SQL Server database sits behind a firewall that blocks all inbound connections from Azure, so you need a bridge that initiates outbound traffic instead. The Self-hosted Integration Runtime runs on a local machine or VM inside your on-premises network, securely connecting to Azure Data Factory over outbound HTTPS (port 443) or the Microsoft Service Bus, enabling data movement to Azure Blob Storage without exposing your network to inbound requests. On the AZ-204 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hybrid data movement patterns and the specific role of integration runtimes; a common trap is choosing the Azure Integration Runtime, which only works for cloud-to-cloud transfers. Remember the key distinction: if the source is on-premises and blocks inbound traffic, you must self-host the runtime. Memory tip: “Self-hosted for on-prem, Azure-hosted for cloud.”
AZ-204 Practice Question: Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services
This AZ-204 practice question tests your understanding of connect to and consume azure services and third-party services. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You are building an integration solution that connects an on-premises SQL Server database to Azure Data Factory. The on-premises network does not allow direct inbound connections from Azure. You need to securely transfer data from the database to Azure Blob Storage. Which data factory component should you use?
Self-hosted IR runs on a local machine and can connect to on-premises SQL Server, sending data to Azure via outbound HTTPS, satisfying security requirements.
B
Azure Integration Runtime
Why wrong: Azure IR runs in the cloud and cannot directly access on-premises databases without opening inbound ports, which is not allowed.
C
Azure-SSIS Integration Runtime
Why wrong: Azure-SSIS IR is for lifting SSIS packages to the cloud; it still needs network connectivity to on-premises and does not resolve the inbound restriction.
D
Azure Data Lake Storage connector
Why wrong: A connector is a data store component, not a compute runtime that provides network connectivity to on-premises data sources.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Self-hosted Integration Runtime
The Self-hosted Integration Runtime (SHIR) is required because the on-premises SQL Server database resides in a network that blocks direct inbound connections from Azure. SHIR acts as a bridge, running on a local machine or VM within the on-premises network, enabling Azure Data Factory to securely connect to the database via outbound HTTPS (port 443) or the Microsoft Service Bus. It handles data movement and transformation without exposing the on-premises network to inbound traffic.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Self-hosted Integration Runtime
Why this is correct
Self-hosted IR runs on a local machine and can connect to on-premises SQL Server, sending data to Azure via outbound HTTPS, satisfying security requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure Integration Runtime
Why it's wrong here
Azure IR runs in the cloud and cannot directly access on-premises databases without opening inbound ports, which is not allowed.
✗
Azure-SSIS Integration Runtime
Why it's wrong here
Azure-SSIS IR is for lifting SSIS packages to the cloud; it still needs network connectivity to on-premises and does not resolve the inbound restriction.
✗
Azure Data Lake Storage connector
Why it's wrong here
A connector is a data store component, not a compute runtime that provides network connectivity to on-premises data sources.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the Azure Integration Runtime (which works only for cloud-to-cloud scenarios) with the Self-hosted Integration Runtime, assuming Azure's built-in runtime can somehow tunnel into on-premises networks without explicit configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Self-hosted Integration Runtime uses a Windows service that registers with ADF via outbound HTTPS to the Azure cloud service bus, establishing a secure, persistent channel. It supports both copy activity and data flow execution, and can be scaled out by adding more nodes for high throughput. In real-world scenarios, you might deploy SHIR on a domain-joined VM with access to the SQL Server, using Windows authentication or SQL authentication over encrypted connections.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-204 question in full detail.
Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services — This question tests Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Self-hosted Integration Runtime — The Self-hosted Integration Runtime (SHIR) is required because the on-premises SQL Server database resides in a network that blocks direct inbound connections from Azure. SHIR acts as a bridge, running on a local machine or VM within the on-premises network, enabling Azure Data Factory to securely connect to the database via outbound HTTPS (port 443) or the Microsoft Service Bus. It handles data movement and transformation without exposing the on-premises network to inbound traffic.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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