In "smitty mktcpip", the last item you can change is the "START Now". Does any one change this to "yes" when setting the IP? If so, what agrument would you use to convice others to use it also?
Using that option is like using the ifconfig etx up command , i will start your interface.
Form this Menu you can configure and start you interface but be carefull because smit mktcpip also modifies the /etc/hosts file.
Regards