static IP configuration problem

[Randy Edwards]

 > Tried that, but to no avail.

   Here's a thought based on one oddity I have observed.

   If you change the /etc/network/interfaces definitions, sometimes, when you 
do an "ifdown ethX" the interface won't actually be taken all the way down -- 
if you do an "ifconfig" you will still see the device listed.  Then, when you 
do an "ifup ethX" the device won't be brought up/reconfigured because it was 
never fully brought down.

   To check if this is the case is easy.  Configure your interfaces file to be 
static.  Then do a "ifdown ethX ; ifconfig ethX down".  That extra ifconfig 
command will fully ensure that the interface is terminated.  Running a plain 
"ifconfig" will prove it.  Then do the "ifup ethX" and see if it is 
reconfigured to the static setup.

 > I thought maybe there was a conflict with the number of IP addresses
 > my router was handing out, but  [...]

   That shouldn't make a difference.  In the case of duplicate IP addresses, 
the device should still come up on the GNU/Linux box and a ping to your own 
IP address should work (anything out to the network would be hosed, but a 
ping to yourself on the local box should work).

 Regards,
 .
 Randy

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