Where is debian storing its network settings?

Question

I have a debian machine that is supposed to have a static ip, but insists on getting its address from the DHCP server.

Here's this settings file:

$> cat /etc/network/interfaces
# This file describes the network interfaces available on your system
# and how to activate them. For more information, see interfaces(5).

# The loopback network interface
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

# The primary network interface
allow-hotplug eth0
iface eth0 inet static
  address   192.168.1.99
  gateway   192.168.1.1
  netmask   255.255.255.0
  network   192.168.1.0
  broadcast 192.168.1.255

Yet

$> sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart
Reconfiguring network interfaces...done.
$> sudo ifconfig
eth0      Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:e0:03:09:05:2e
          inet addr:192.168.1.205  Bcast:255.255.255.255  Mask:255.255.255.0
...

Where is it being told to use dhcp?

Answer 1

Well, apparently a complete restart fixed it. so much for Linux not needed restarts on settings changes! :P

Answer 2

To actually answer your question, you have the right file.

This stanza:

iface eth0 inet static

is what controls whether a static IP is assigned on boot or if it tries to use DHCP. To use DHCP, change to:

iface eth0 inet dhcp

man interfaces will tell you more.