DP-203 Develop data processing Practice Question
Your company uses Azure Data Factory to load data from an on-premises SQL Server database to Azure Synapse Analytics. The pipeline runs daily and the load volume is about 50 GB per run. Recently, the pipeline started failing with timeout errors during the copy activity. You need to ensure reliable data transfer. What should you do?
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
✓
Use a self-hosted integration runtime and increase the copy activity timeout
For on-premises data sources, a self-hosted integration runtime (IR) is required to connect to Azure Data Factory. Increasing the copy activity timeout helps handle large data volumes (50 GB) and prevents timeout errors. Option B (PolyBase) is a technique for loading data into Azure Synapse but does not address the connectivity or timeout issue. Option C (splitting into smaller activities) could reduce load per activity but does not directly resolve the timeout; increasing timeout is more direct. Option D (Azure IR) cannot access on-premises resources, so it is not applicable.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use a self-hosted integration runtime and increase the copy activity timeout
Why this is correct
A self-hosted IR is required for on-premises sources, and increasing the timeout can handle 50 GB loads without timing out.
- ✗
Use PolyBase to load data in parallel
Why it's wrong here
PolyBase is used for high-performance loading into Synapse but does not fix connectivity or timeout errors from the copy activity.
- ✗
Split the copy into multiple smaller activities
Why it's wrong here
Splitting the copy may help but the primary solution is to use a self-hosted IR and increase timeout; this is a secondary approach.
- ✗
Switch to Azure Integration Runtime
Why it's wrong here
Azure IR cannot connect to on-premises SQL Server, so it is not viable.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Azure Data Engineering
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.
Key term
Azure Synapse Analytics
Azure Synapse Analytics is a cloud-based data integration, warehousing, and analytics service that brings together big data and data warehouse capabilities under one platform.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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