Here is the configuration I follow when I assign a static IP in a new virtual machine in the radiogrouppe.

/etc/network/interfaces:

auto eth0
iface eth0 inet static
  address 10.255.255.41
  netmask 255.255.255.0
  gateway 10.255.255.1

/etc/resolv.conf:

domain prg.dtu.dk
search prg.dtu.dk
nameserver 10.123.123.1