In order to make the statically assigned IP work, I have already modified the file /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0 as follows:
DEVICE=eth0
IPADDR=10.33.17.143
NETMASK=255.255.255.0
BOOTPROTO=static
ONBOOT=yes
Any other configuration files that I might need to take care of before the static IP could be used? I am trying to change the network settings from the default DHCP to static IP.