Hi Paul,
Quote:
1) If I try to copy this table as a test will it lock the table until it's finished copying?
No, it will not lock the table, as copy table will not execute any LOCK statement on the server.
Quote:
when it says packet, does this mean the max size of a row it is trying to insert? Or a table? Or does it mean something else?
Yes, here it means the max size of row for single or bulk insert as you can not execute an INSERT statement longer than 'max_allowed_packet'.
You have to make sure 'max_allowed_packet' value of your target server(where you are trying to copy) should be greater than or equal to the same for the source server.
To find the current 'max_allowed_packet' setting in server configuration execute this on source and target server:
Show variables like 'max_allowed_packet';
Thanks & Regards,
Khushboo