The only clear cut case that I can think of to support 'virtualization' in production. The case has a number of prerequisites:

-small to medium databases - usually less than 50...

Are you sure that there are not network connectivity issues between the 2 servers ?

Have you also checked with the Windows Admins to see if they are having any AD...

Is you local environment just a LAN or do you also have WAN connectivity ?

If you have a LAN/WAN environment are only WAN connections affected ?

Are only a specific subgroups...

Valid points Jeff. I too have failed 'multiple guess' tests - some home grown, others from services. Likewise I may have met some of those same 'certified' professionals as well....

Good points Jeff. However I would add the caveat that pre-screening testing is always acceptable via services such as BrainBench and ProveIt. As you say it is a pleasant surprise...

... hmmm ... the SQL Agent runs as LocalService ... you can execute the package under your Windows Credentials with the target on another server ... try using a Domain...

Short of using a procedure or TSQL to query sysprocesses the easiest and safest thing if to just ALTER the database OFFLINE. It is relatively harmless unless soimeone is actually...

The only way to truly know that a backup of a database is 'reliable' is to schedule test restores of databases on a regular basis of different databases on different...

... hmmmm ...

So no new users can connect I assume. I am going to go out on a limb and assume that there is not really an AD guy at...

Very eloquent James.

How about 'setting execution context' instead of a 'use' statement:

exec sp_msforeachdb 'exec ?..sp_spaceused'

I have been in similar situations before. In all situations, lest one, I have held my ground and asked for an email stating the nature of the request and what...

Not a day goes by when the forums at SSC do not teach me something new - thanks Gail !

Give this KB a whirl: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/832524

... hmmm ... sounds a lot like process and procedures to me ... as for the communication, well does that not ring true to professionalism and responsibility ???