I did I little checking and as far as I can tell the only thing I was incorrect about was the bcast which should end with xxx.xxx.xxx.255 not xxx.xxx.xxx.0

I also boot and run From the CD, my setup has a router with DHCP tho and
I didn't have any problem at all with the net setup, I didn't have to do any
setup for it at all, it was all auto config'd.

I also have mandrake running dual-boot with win98 on another sys and it also
was no problem with the net config. This system's HD crashed and I decided to
just run from the CD intill I can get a new HD (time and money stop me so far)
It was XP till I lost the HD, But I like this OS so well I will more then likly set it
up for a dual boot with WinXP and Debian (Knoppix).

Good Luck with everything. and stick with it you'll get it going sooner or later
and then you'll know alot more when you do.

Tonka