DP-203 Develop data processing Practice Question
You are creating an Azure Data Factory pipeline that must copy data from an on-premises SQL Server to Azure Blob Storage daily. The on-premises network restricts inbound connections, and you need a secure connection without exposing the SQL Server to the public internet. What should you use to connect to the on-premises SQL Server?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is selecting a networking service like ExpressRoute or Private Link, which solve connectivity but do not provide the execution engine 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
✓
Self-hosted integration runtime
To connect Azure Data Factory to an on-premises SQL Server without exposing it to the internet, you install a self-hosted integration runtime on a machine in the on-premises network. This runtime initiates outbound connections to Azure, so no inbound firewall rules are needed. It is the correct and standard solution for hybrid data movement with Data Factory.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Azure ExpressRoute
Why it's wrong here
ExpressRoute provides a private connection between on-premises and Azure, but it is a network-level solution that requires additional configuration. It does not by itself provide the integration runtime needed for Data Factory to execute copy activities against on-premises data sources. While ExpressRoute can be part of a solution, it is not the specific component that enables Data Factory connectivity.
- ✗
Azure Integration Runtime with a managed virtual network
Why it's wrong here
The Azure integration runtime with a managed virtual network is used for connecting to Azure services or private endpoints within Azure, not for reaching on-premises data sources. It does not run inside your on-premises network, so it cannot directly access a local SQL Server. A self-hosted runtime is required for on-premises connectivity.
- ✗
Azure Private Link
Why it's wrong here
Azure Private Link provides private connectivity to Azure services, not to on-premises systems. It is used to access Azure PaaS services over a private endpoint within a virtual network. It does not enable Data Factory to reach an on-premises SQL Server. A self-hosted integration runtime is the component designed for that scenario.
- ✓
Self-hosted integration runtime
Why this is correct
A self-hosted integration runtime is installed on a machine within the on-premises network. It establishes outbound connections to Azure Data Factory, allowing the service to dispatch copy activities to it. This enables secure access to on-premises data sources without inbound firewall openings. It is the standard mechanism for connecting Data Factory to private network resources.
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.
About these practice questions
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JA
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.