[sf-lug] how to configure init on ubuntu server?

[jim]

   seems people who try to run ubuntu server 
8.04 with a NIC in static mode find that the 
box loses the static IP address that was set 
in the /etc/network/interfaces file. after 
some amount of pain they find that dhclient3 
has taken over--renewing leases with the LAN 
dhcp server. 
   i've not found out where are the config 
files for dhclient3: not in /etc/init.d/ and 
not in /etc/rc?.d/ and not in some other 
seemingly obvious places. it would be nice 
to know how dhclient3 gets kicked off and 
what are its configuration files. 
   but not as nice as knowing about init on 
ubuntu server 8.04. 

   i finally ran 
# kill -15 <PID_OF_dhclient3> 
and kept checking the output of ps aux to be 
sure it that dhclient3 didn't get resurrected. 
it hasn't so far. i'm getting hopeful, which 
is generally a bad sign in my case. 

   the next time the box boots, i'm betting 
serious money that init will start up the 
dhclient3 process. 

   I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT FILES ARE USED 
on ubuntu server 8.04 to configure init. 
   on red hat and at&t and most other unix 
systems that file is /etc/inittab. there is 
no /etc/inittab on ubuntu server 8.04. 

   i have googled, i have asked ubuntu server 
heaviweights, i have asked skilled web admins 
and coders and the dry cleaner's kid and the 
dog. nobody gives me a clear answer. i get 
lots of answers such as "use upstart" or 
see man (5) interfaces or some such. 

   I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT FILES ARE USED 
on ubuntu server 8.04 to configure init. 
   do any of you know? 

   (as an aside, i am amazed it's so difficult 
to get basic information on a part of the 
system that is so fundamental.)