route add configure

[jasiii]

new to debian & I am trying to get and set the route for a fixed IP address configured.
When I try to do a route add -net 101.255.155.3 netmask 255.255.255.0 eth0 1 <ret> I get a message that the mask is invalid. ?? We do use a class C mask on unix and linux boxes.

When I try to just to a route add -net 101.255.155.3 eth0 1 <ret> I get an Invalid Argument ??

I look in /etc/network/interfaces and all the correct info seems to be there but I can not ping the router or any other system ?? nor can I do a nslookup or telnet to any system using IP address or name ??

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips to try ??

thanks in advance