9000smc network address problems

Hi;

I am brand new to the canopy and as such have been playing around with a unit given to me by my employer. This unit will not pick up a network address and I was wondering if there is anything I can do to remedy this? One point of interest (at least to me ) is that I can ping the default ip (169.254.1.1) but not the ip the company has assigned. Can anyone offer me anything on this. Thanks - Gordie