Which Integration Runtime Connects On-Premises Linux Databases to Azure Data Factory?

DP-203 By islever Editorial Last updated

Short answer

A self-hosted integration runtime

Question

You have an on-premises Linux server that contains a database named DB1. You have an Azure subscription that contains an Azure data factory named ADF1 and an Azure Data Lake Storage account named ADLS1. You need to create a pipeline in ADF1 that will copy data from DB1 to ADLS1. Which type of integration runtime should you use to read the data from DB1?
  1. self-hosted integration runtime Correct Answer
  2. Azure integration runtime
  3. Azure-SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)

Key Takeaways

Tests knowledge of IR deployment models versus source OS compatibility, with the common trap being the misconception that a Windows-only IR cannot communicate with Linux databases.

This scenario evaluates your understanding of Azure Data Factory integration runtimes for hybrid data movement. The community consensus confirms that the Self-Hosted Integration Runtime is required to securely bridge on-premises networks with Azure, even when the source database runs on Linux.

Common mistake: Candidates frequently select Azure-SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) due to the false assumption that the Self-Hosted IR is strictly limited to Windows environments and cannot interact with Linux sources.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

The Self-Hosted Integration Runtime (SHIR) is specifically designed to facilitate secure data transfer between on-premises resources and Azure cloud services. Although the SHIR agent itself must be installed on a Windows or macOS machine within the local network, it acts as a proxy capable of connecting to diverse on-premises data stores, including Linux-based SQL servers. By leveraging native ODBC and JDBC drivers, the SHIR successfully reads data from the Linux server and streams it to Azure Data Lake Storage via ADF.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

The Azure Integration Runtime operates entirely within the Microsoft cloud and lacks direct connectivity to private, on-premises networks without additional networking configurations, making it unsuitable for direct on-prem reads. Option C, the Azure-SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), is primarily used for complex ETL transformations and package execution rather than simple data copying pipelines. While it supports on-premises connections, it introduces unnecessary complexity and licensing overhead for straightforward copy activities.

Community Comment Notes

Multiple candidates noted the confusion surrounding SHIR's OS requirements, with several clarifying that while the runtime agent requires Windows, it fully supports remote Linux databases. Others incorrectly voted for SSIS based on outdated assumptions regarding Windows-only restrictions. Experienced users emphasized that ADF copy activities do not require SSIS unless custom transformation logic is explicitly requested, reinforcing the official guidance for hybrid connectivity.

Official Reference

These links open the official vendor documentation in a new tab.

Exam Strategy

When encountering hybrid connectivity questions, always prioritize the Self-Hosted Integration Runtime for on-premises data access regardless of the source server's operating system. Focus on the deployment location of the runtime agent rather than the target database's OS, and reserve SSIS options only for explicit transformation or legacy migration scenarios.

Community Votes

A
55%
C
45%

55% of anonymous learners picked answer A. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 11 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 11

  1. e56bb91 👍 5
    ChatGPT confirmed self-hosted integration runtime
  2. Swayansu 👍 2 Answered A
    Although the self-hosted IR runs on Windows, it can connect to databases hosted on Linux servers. This is possible because the self-hosted IR uses database connectors and drivers that support remote connections to databases on different operating systems.
  3. mav2000 👍 2 Answered C
    This was a hard question, but indeed apparently Self-hosted integration runtime only supports windows, and Azure is for cloud platforms, so the answer is the SSIS, though it's a bit overkill because SSIS is meant for transformations
  4. tadenet 👍 2 Answered A
    the self-hosted integration runtime cannot be installed directly on a Linux server, you can set it up on a Windows machine within your network to facilitate data movement between an on-premises Linux database and Azure services.
  5. bacms 👍 2 Answered A
    A. self-hosted integration runtime
Show 6 more comments
  1. 7082935 👍 1
    It's kind of a toss up here, but the question does specify to "create a Data Factory pipeline to copy data". ONLY if it requested to "Create a pipeline with an Execute SSIS Package activity" would it be better to choose SSIS runtime.
  2. Sr18 👍 1
    A. Self Hosted integration run times will work but SHIR need to be installed on a windows machine in same network of Linux with supported DB driver. Its not easy but still very much possible.
  3. Azure_2023 👍 1 Answered C
    Azure-SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is currently supported for connecting to on-premises Linux servers. The other two options aren't.
  4. 1d22eec 👍 1 Answered C
    C As self-hosted integration runtime is only supported in Windows OS, Azure IR only supports withing Azure cloud platforms
  5. mav2000 👍 1 Answered C
    SSIS is correct, albeit a bit overkill, because self hosted can only run on windows, this makes it the best option
  6. JJFortunato 👍 2
    Correct

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