The Azure Integration Runtime (IR) is a core component of Azure Data Factory (ADF) and other Microsoft Azure tools, such as Azure Purview. It's a Microsoft-managed computational environment that provides the necessary processing power for data movement and transformation across various scenarios.
At its core, Azure IR serves as the bridge between the data source and the final destination. It's responsible for reading data from the source, performing the necessary transformation (if applicable), and then writing the transformed data into the destination. This component is essential for implementing large-scale ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) and ELT (Extract, Load, Transform) workflows.
Within ADF, Azure IR is used in various pipeline activities, such as data copying and data transformation. It's the driving force behind the movement of data between various on-premises and cloud data sources. Notably, Azure IR supports integration with over 90 data source connectors, making it a versatile tool for data integration operations.
In Azure Purview, Azure IR is used to catalog data across various sources. It supports scanning and classifying data in cloud and on-premises storage systems, helping organizations to have a clear and secure view of their data assets.
Choosing the correct type of Azure IR (Self-hosted, Azure, On-premises) is crucial to ensuring the efficiency and performance of the data workflow. The selection of the integration runtime type should be made based on the location of the data and the type of processing activity to be carried out.
In summary, the Azure Integration Runtime is an essential component of the cloud data management architecture. Its central role in ADF, Azure Purview, and other Microsoft Azure tools, makes it a vital part of efficient and secure data operations.