Local area network mixed ethernet and wireless can't communicate between macs

Thanks for your help BDAqua.

Here are the identifiable devices connected to the local area network:

DHCP Client Status

unknown001124a1f63c 10.0.0.17

Daughter's-Macbook (10.6) 10.0.0.8 (wifi) (near office)

EpsonStylusPro3880-84E3F6 10.0.0.16 (ethernet) (office)

unknown0019e30b873b 10.0.0.6

These items may be among the unknown host names above:

copystar printer (connected by ethernet) (studio)

The dsl router has 4 internet ports, however, only one is in use, which is connected to a netgear 5 port ethernet switch. These devices are in my office. The devices at the other end of the house, in my wife's studio, are connected to that netgear switch by a 100' cable through another netgear 5 port ethernet switch.

The ethernet devices all communicate with each other, the wifi devices all communicate with each other, and they all connect to the internet. (well, not the printers as far as I know.) Also, the device addresses seem to change from time to time, but they are always 10.0.0.x.

Also, strangely enough, when my Macbook Pro is close to the dsl router, which is on the desk with the powerbook, it does communicate with the ethernet devices. When it is farther away, it communicates only with the wifi devices and the internet.

Aha, here's another clue: Even though I moved the MBP downstairs from my office, it still is communicating with all the other devices. But I realize that while it was in my office, I plugged it into the ethernet momentarily. Perhaps that is what jogged the MBP to stay connected on both networks. Perhaps every time I start it up, I have to be sure to plug in the ethernet until it recognizes the other devices on the ethernet and then I can unplug it. I'll see how it goes for the next few days.

Thanks.

Ahhh... but how do I find out which device is handing out wifi? In any case, the workaround is working so it is tolerable. Still, my wife may not be able to communicate with the kids' computers from the studio, but this is an improvement. When my kids need something printed, they usually just put it on a thumb drive and hand it to me.

phone line in office to

|

zoom dsl modem/router---------------

| |

wifi to ethernet to netgear switch1------------------------------------------

my macbook pro ethernet to netgear switch 2 (studio) powerbook g4

daughter's ibook ethernet to epson printer

son's macbook pro imac intel my macbook pro when in office

ipad imac G5

copystar printer

Hmmm... I'm not sure about that since those settings are different than the ones my isp gave me. When I tried one of the configuration settings in the tutorial, the modem sent me a warning message, so I didn't save any changes. So, until I understand what it all means, I think I'll hold off on any more changes. It seems to be working better now even if it isn't perfect.

Thanks for your help. I'll be back if it doesn't work as well as I need.