To configure networking, edit /etc/network/interfaces, /etc/resolv.conf, and etc/hostname.

      # editor /etc/network/interfaces

Here are some simple examples from /usr/share/doc/ifupdown/examples:

     ######################################################################
     # /etc/network/interfaces -- configuration file for ifup(8), ifdown(8)
     # See the interfaces(5) manpage for information on what options are 
     # available.
     ######################################################################
     
     # We always want the loopback interface.
     #
     auto lo
     iface lo inet loopback
     
     # To use dhcp:
     #
     # auto eth0
     # iface eth0 inet dhcp
     
     # An example static IP setup: (broadcast and gateway are optional)
     #
     # auto eth0
     # iface eth0 inet static
     #     address 192.168.0.42
     #     network 192.168.0.0
     #     netmask 255.255.255.0
     #     broadcast 192.168.0.255
     #     gateway 192.168.0.1

Enter your nameserver(s) and search directives in /etc/resolv.conf:

      # editor /etc/resolv.conf

A simple /etc/resolv.conf:

     # search hqdom.local\000
     # nameserver 10.1.1.36
     # nameserver 192.168.9.100

Enter your system's host name (2 to 63 characters):

      # echo DebianHostName > /etc/hostname

If you have multiple network cards, you should arrange the names of driver modules in the /etc/modules file into the desired order. Then during boot, each card will be associated with the interface name (eth0, eth1, etc.) that you expect.