The ifconfig utility defines the network address of each
    interface when TCP/IP Services starts. After that, you can
    use the ifconfig utility to display all interfaces that are
    configured on a system, to redefine the address of an interface,
    and to set other operating parameters.

                                   NOTE

       If you want to redefine the interface address or the
       netmask, you should stop TCP/IP Services first. Otherwise,
       any TCP/IP processes currently running will continue to use
       the old address and netmask, and will fail.

    Any user can query the status of a network interface; only
    a privileged user can modify the configuration of network
    interfaces.

    You specify an interface with the following syntax:

    ifconfig interface_id

    This command displays the current configuration for the specified
    network interface. Refer to the HP TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS
    Management for information about how to obtain the interface_id.