[OpenIndiana-discuss] The static network that never works

[Harry Putnam]

I wonder why it appears to be so difficult under openindiana and its
predecessors to simply and quickly setup a static network.

Virtually all other OS's I've tried, probably 10-12 or so, have had
provision to quickly and easily setup a static network.... and they
worked straigh away.

Installing from oi-b147... once installed the icon on right upper of
gnome window display has dialog for setting up a static network... but
when I follow it, I get a network that even says its connected... but
it goes no where... can't ping anything even on home lan.

Why can't I just simply ifconfig a network out of thin air as in linux
(long as loopback is already done).

ifconfig <device> nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn up

And have that device come up with that IP and work.

I don't understand why it is difficult... 

But would also like to see in steps... a tried and true method to get
a static IP.  DHCP is just a pain in the butt in  home lan.

Is there really no simple and quick method... if so, why is that?