Its extremely easy: connect display to rig, right click on network icon in taskbar, set your connection to static ip.
Easy? Finding the keyboard and monitor is easy? Ohh and the mouse too!? C'mooon... and most likely those settings are also reseted upon reboot just like modifications in interfaces
Easier way.. Write script to modify /etc/network/interfaces upon boot and reboot network after making changes. No freaking monitors or mouses needed - only ssh access
/etc/network/interfaces
iface eth0 inet static
address xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
netmask xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
gateway xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
Easiest way... Set static IP from router according to MAC address
Okay, his suggestion is easy so not bashing him there. Not everyone is a Linux pro and knows all the ins and outs of SSH access. If it solves the mans (or womans) problem then by all means use all tools you have available to you.
I have 2 BAMT rigs, both I manage 95% of the time via SSH, but I do have both configured with static IP's, and I did both via the GUI interface.
Also, I'm not sure because I am no Linux/SSH pro, but dont you need to set the DNS as well? I get hit with storms and outages all the time, I never have to reset my network settings after being done the first time.