DP-203 Practice Question: Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing
Your company uses Azure Data Factory to orchestrate data pipelines that ingest data from on-premises SQL Server to Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2. The network team has implemented a firewall that only allows outbound traffic on port 443. The on-premises SQL Server is not accessible via public endpoint. You need to configure a secure connection that complies with the firewall rules and uses managed identity for authentication. What should you use?
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
✓
Install a Self-hosted Integration Runtime on an on-premises VM, register it with Azure Data Factory using managed identity, and configure the pipeline to use this IR for the SQL Server connection.
A self-hosted integration runtime (IR) installed on an on-premises VM can connect to SQL Server over the private network, then communicate with Azure Data Factory over port 443. Managed identity can be used for authentication to Azure Data Factory. Option A is incorrect: Azure IR with VNet injection still requires a public endpoint for on-premises SQL Server, which is not accessible. Option B is incorrect: Point-to-site VPN provides connectivity but does not directly support managed identity for ADF authentication, and additional configuration is needed. Option D is incorrect: Using an Azure IR with a public endpoint requires the on-premises SQL Server to have a public endpoint, which it does not, and it does not utilize managed identity for authentication.
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 Azure ExpressRoute to connect the on-premises network to Azure, then use an Azure Integration Runtime with a VNet injection.
Why it's wrong here
ExpressRoute provides connectivity but not authentication.
- ✗
Set up a point-to-site VPN from Azure to on-premises and use an Azure Integration Runtime with a VNet integration.
Why it's wrong here
VPN adds complexity and doesn't use managed identity.
- ✓
Install a Self-hosted Integration Runtime on an on-premises VM, register it with Azure Data Factory using managed identity, and configure the pipeline to use this IR for the SQL Server connection.
Why this is correct
Uses private network and port 443 for communication.
- ✗
Use an Azure Integration Runtime with a public endpoint and configure a firewall rule to allow the Azure IR IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
Using an Azure Integration Runtime with a public endpoint would require the on-premises SQL Server to be accessible via a public endpoint, which it is not. Additionally, the firewall only allows outbound traffic on port 443, but the Azure IR would need inbound access to the SQL Server, which is blocked. This option does not meet the requirements.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.