Networking/hostname question on RHL8

All:

I am new to Linux, but not new to Unix. I have a client with RH8 and using
GNOME I went into networking and created an eth0 and activated it. I have no
link light on the switch nor can I ping or get to the net. I do have lights on
the eth0 card.
Also, when I type hostname name, it set's the hostname, but wont keep it over a
reboot. Where is the hostname kept so that I can edit a file to make it perm
within the kernel?

Thanks for your input in advance.

Huggy