Since this post, I have tried many MANY more things to isolate & resolve this with no effect.
Including:
Swapped complete board with a NIB board I purchased as a spare
Swapped power supply thinking some random power issue
Disconnected SSR from board in case there was some leakage back
Disconnected PanelDue and remarked configuration from the config.g
Swapped to a NIB PanelDue display
Direct cable to the primary network switch , eliminating particular port and/or cable issue with existing setup
Forced the network switch port to 100 / with flow control enabled
disconnect chassis and all other fans (electrical interference ?)
Disconnected Hot end heater in case there was an intermittent cable ( its not being heated, these are just motion test macros, but just being cautious)
The board will stay connected to the network indefinitely, until things start moving. Occasionally it will run for several cycles through the motion test macros with no issues, and other times it will disconnect (or the macro get cancelled) within ~ 1 minute. The printer mechanically is solid, and well adjusted, no tight spots , binding or unusual / questionable things. Cables and ends have been checked many times and never show any sign that there is an intermittent connecting.
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This is the ONLY thing I have tried that seems to improve the issue , but I still haven't been able to get 100% solid connection
Swapped to NEW spare motors just on the bench (NEW cables not running near other printer parts) This seemed much better, so I connected back in the printer chassis. I ran a NEW LDO cable the X motor cable away from the Y motor cables & motors in an attempt to minimize crosstalk/EM interference between components.
Question 1)
Are there any known issues with crosstalk or interference, running stepper cables near other motors or longer cable runs (more or less a 2 foot run with X stepper cable running next to one of the Y motors and the cables to both Y motors) ?
Question 2)
What can cause the macros to be cancelled, ( the motors do go to an disconnected state when macro is cancelled)
Question 3)
What circumstances can cause the ethernet port to stop functioning even though the status in M122 shows it as connected