How does Azure Data Factory handle data movement between on-premises sources and cloud destinations, and what role does the Integration Runtime play in this process?"

Question

How does Azure Data Factory handle data movement between on-premises sources and cloud destinations, and what role does the Integration Runtime play in this process?"

Answer 1

The IR is the compute infrastructure that Azure Data Factory and Synapse pipelines use to provide data-integration capabilities across different network environments.

A self-hosted integration runtime provides these capabilities between a cloud data store and a data store in a private network, for example an on-premises network or an Azure virtual network.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/create-self-hosted-integration-runtime?tabs=data-factory

So one can consider SHIR as the bridge between your ADF and a source/dest hosted in a network

Answer 2

hi Himanshu Sinha and thanks for dropping this question, it's a good one ;)

so azure data factory is basically the middleman that moves data between ur on prem stuff and the cloud. think of it like a super smart postal service but for data ))

u set up pipelines (just fancy workflows) that copy data from point A to point B. but here's the kicker, when u're dealing with on prem to cloud, u need something called the integration runtime. this little guy is the real MVP because it's the bridge that connects ur local systems to azure.

the integration runtime does the heavy lifting. it comes in two flavors, the self hosted one (u install it on ur own servers) and the azure hosted one. for on prem to cloud moves, u gotta use the self hosted version. it iss like having a dedicated courier that knows all the backroads between ur office and the cloud ))

msft explain it pretty well here just check integration runtime docs.

setting it up isnt too bad. u download the integration runtime, install it on a machine in ur network, and register it with azure data factory. Once thats done, u can start moving data like a boss. pipelines will use this runtime to securely pull data from ur sql server, file shares, or whatever u got on prem and dump it into azure blob storage, sql database, u name it.

the integration runtime also handles data transformation if ure using data flows. and aha, its not just a dumb pipe, it's got some brains too 8-)

hope that clears things up! if u hit any snags, the docs are ur best friend. U know Microsoft really has docs for All, and (at least for me) this one with how flexible they made the whole system.
happy data moving :)

Best regards,

Alex

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P.S. If my answer help to you, please Accept my answer
PPS That is my Answer and not a Comment

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Answer 3

Hi Himashu, Azure Data Factory (ADF) moves data between on-premises and cloud systems using the Integration Runtime (IR), which acts as the engine for executing data copy and transformation tasks. 

When working with on-prem sources, you’ll need a Self-hosted IR installed within your network. It securely connects to your on-prem data and transfers it to cloud destinations over HTTPS — without requiring inbound ports or exposing internal systems. 

Types of Integration Runtime: 

• Azure IR – For cloud-to-cloud movement 

Self-hosted IR – Required for on-prem connectivity 

• Azure-SSIS IR – For running SSIS packages in Azure 

In some cases where native ADF capabilities fall short—such as complex integrations involving engineering or ALM systems and must preserve relationships, history, and compliance context during migration or data transfer —you may consider using external integration platforms (e.g., OpsHub Integration Manager) that can handle secure, structured synchronization between on-premises and cloud-based tools. 

Hope it helps! 

Azure Data Factory (ADF) moves data between on-premises and cloud systems using the Integration Runtime (IR), which acts as the engine for executing data copy and transformation tasks. 

When working with on-prem sources, you’ll need a Self-hosted IR installed within your network. It securely connects to your on-prem data and transfers it to cloud destinations over HTTPS — without requiring inbound ports or exposing internal systems. 

Types of Integration Runtime: 

Azure IR – For cloud-to-cloud movement 

Self-hosted IR – Required for on-prem connectivity 

Azure-SSIS IR – For running SSIS packages in Azure 

In some cases where native ADF capabilities fall short—such as complex integrations involving engineering or ALM systems and must preserve relationships, history, and compliance context during migration or data transfer —you may consider using external integration platforms (e.g., OpsHub Integration Manager) that can handle secure, structured synchronization between on-premises and cloud-based tools. 

Hope it helps!