DP-203 Develop data processing Practice Question
You are building an Azure Data Factory pipeline that must copy data from an on-premises SQL Server to Azure Blob Storage. The pipeline runs on a schedule every hour. You need to ensure that the copy activity can securely access the on-premises SQL Server. What should you configure?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse network connectivity (like VPN) with the specific integration runtime needed for data factory to access on-premises data.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A self-hosted integration runtime installed on a machine in the on-premises network.
To copy data from an on-premises SQL Server, Azure Data Factory requires a self-hosted integration runtime. This component is installed on a machine in the on-premises network and handles the data movement securely. Other options either do not provide on-premises connectivity or are meant for different Azure services.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A VPN gateway between the on-premises network and Azure.
Why it's wrong here
A VPN gateway can provide network connectivity between on-premises and Azure, but it does not by itself allow Azure Data Factory to authenticate and interact with the on-premises SQL Server. A self-hosted integration runtime is still required to execute the copy activity within the on-premises network. A VPN alone is insufficient.
- ✓
A self-hosted integration runtime installed on a machine in the on-premises network.
Why this is correct
A self-hosted integration runtime acts as a bridge between Azure Data Factory and on-premises data sources. It is installed on a machine within the corporate network and can securely connect to on-premises SQL Server. This is the standard method for hybrid data movement, ensuring secure and reliable connectivity without exposing the on-premises server to the internet.
- ✗
An Azure Integration Runtime with a managed virtual network.
Why it's wrong here
An Azure Integration Runtime with a managed virtual network is used for accessing data stores within an Azure virtual network or for private endpoints. It does not provide connectivity to on-premises networks. On-premises access requires a self-hosted integration runtime installed on a machine within the corporate network.
- ✗
An Azure SQL Database linked service with a private endpoint.
Why it's wrong here
An Azure SQL Database linked service is for connecting to Azure SQL Database, not on-premises SQL Server. A private endpoint would provide private connectivity to an Azure service, but it does not enable access to on-premises resources. This option is irrelevant to the scenario.
Quick reference
Azure Blob Storage Tier Comparison
| Tier | Storage Cost | Retrieval Cost | Latency | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot | Highest | Lowest | Immediate | Active data, frequent reads |
| Cool | Lower | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / month |
| Cold | Lower still | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / quarter |
| Archive | Lowest | Highest + rehydration delay | Hours | Long-term compliance retention |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Orchestrate Data Movement and Transformation
Key term
Data Transformation Pipelines
Data transformation pipelines are automated sequences of steps that take raw data from a source, clean and reshape it into a usable format, and then load it into a destination for analysis or storage.
Key term
Azure Data Factory
Azure Data Factory is a cloud-based data integration service that lets you create, schedule, and orchestrate data pipelines to move and transform data from various sources to destinations.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
This DP-203 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DP-203 exam.