The correct next step is to check if SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections and that TCP/IP is enabled. Even when the Integration Runtime is running and the firewall permits traffic, a "Connection timed out" error on-prem SQL Server ADF often means the SQL Server instance itself isn’t listening on the expected TCP port. This happens when TCP/IP is disabled in SQL Server Configuration Manager or remote connections are turned off in the server properties, preventing the Integration Runtime from establishing a network handshake. On the Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Associate DP-203 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network connectivity layers beyond basic firewall rules—a common trap is assuming the runtime or firewall is the sole culprit. Remember the memory tip: “Firewall opens the door, but TCP/IP must answer the call.”
DP-203 Develop data processing Practice Question
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of develop data processing. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 have a pipeline in Azure Data Factory that copies data from on-premises SQL Server to Azure Blob Storage. The pipeline fails with a 'Connection timed out' error. You have already verified that the Integration Runtime is running and the SQL Server firewall allows connections from the Integration Runtime. What should you check next?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Check if the SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections and that TCP/IP is enabled
Option C is correct because the 'Connection timed out' error, despite the Integration Runtime being running and the firewall allowing connections, typically indicates that SQL Server is not listening on the expected TCP port. This often happens when TCP/IP is disabled in SQL Server Configuration Manager or remote connections are not enabled. Without TCP/IP enabled, the Integration Runtime cannot establish a network connection to the SQL Server instance, leading to a timeout.
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.
✗
Ensure the Integration Runtime is registered and online
Why it's wrong here
If offline, the error would be about Integration Runtime not being found, not timeout.
✗
Check if the Blob Storage endpoint is accessible from the Integration Runtime
Why it's wrong here
The error is about source connection, not destination.
✓
Check if the SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections and that TCP/IP is enabled
Why this is correct
Timeout often indicates network blocking or SQL Server not listening on TCP/IP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Verify that the SQL Server login credentials are correct
Why it's wrong here
Invalid credentials would result in 'Login failed' error, not timeout.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a 'Connection timed out' error is always a firewall or network issue, overlooking the SQL Server-side protocol configuration that must be explicitly enabled for remote TCP connections.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SQL Server listens on TCP port 1433 by default, but this requires the SQL Server Browser service and TCP/IP protocol to be enabled in SQL Server Configuration Manager. When TCP/IP is disabled, the server does not respond to connection requests, causing the client (Integration Runtime) to wait until the timeout period (default 30 seconds) expires. In a real-world scenario, this often occurs after a SQL Server reinstallation or when the instance is configured to use named pipes only, which is not supported by Azure Data Factory's self-hosted Integration Runtime over the internet.
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 DP-203 question in full detail.
Develop data processing — This question tests Develop data processing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check if the SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections and that TCP/IP is enabled — Option C is correct because the 'Connection timed out' error, despite the Integration Runtime being running and the firewall allowing connections, typically indicates that SQL Server is not listening on the expected TCP port. This often happens when TCP/IP is disabled in SQL Server Configuration Manager or remote connections are not enabled. Without TCP/IP enabled, the Integration Runtime cannot establish a network connection to the SQL Server instance, leading to a timeout.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.