Integration Runtime (IR) is a crucial component in both Azure Data Factory (ADF) and Azure Synapse Analytics. It acts as a bridge to connect different network environments, handle data movement, and execute data transformation activities. There are three types of Integration Runtimes available: Azure, Self-hosted, and Azure-SSIS. Each type serves distinct purposes.
1. Azure Integration Runtime:-
- Provides data movement and transformation capabilities within Azure.- Automatically scales out to meet data volume demands.- Moves data between cloud data stores, such as Azure Blob Storage, Azure Data Lake Storage, and Azure SQL Database.- Uses native compute services such as Azure HDInsight, Azure Databricks, and Azure SQL Database to perform data transformations.- Seamlessly integrates with various Azure services for enhanced data processing capabilities.
2. Self-hosted Integration Runtime
- Provides data movement and transformation capabilities for on-premises, private network, and cloud environments that aren't natively supported by Azure Integration Runtime.- Acts as a bridge for data transfer between on-premises sources and Azure.- Moves data between on-premises data stores and cloud data stores, and between different cloud environments.- Uses secure outbound data transfer protocols to ensure data security.- Allows the use of custom activities and supports the execution of custom scripts.
3. Azure-SSIS Integration Runtime
- Provides the capability to lift and shift SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages to Azure.- Allows SSIS packages to run natively in the cloud without extensive reconfiguration.- Fully supports the execution of SSIS packages, including those with complex workflows and dependencies.- Offers a managed environment for running SSIS packages, reducing the need for infrastructure management.- Seamlessly integrates with Azure Data Factory, allowing orchestration of SSIS packages within ADF pipelines.