• Locking happens on a row, page or table basis, always within a single database. Blocking does not happen at the server or database level (unless you're doing server reconfigurations or database alterations). If you can't access test while making changes in prod, then either you're doing cross-database calls or there's something really weird going on in your code.

    I suggest you narrow down exactly what's happening (and don't use sp_who2, it's about 20 years old and doesn't show all the useful information. The DMV you want for blocking is sys.dm_exec_requests). Once you know what's happening, fixes are easy.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass