Well, WMIC can be run remotely to configure PCs over the network, if you've given permission in the firewall for remote access and know the PC name. The systems would have to be configured for DHCP (which is the default) or already have a static IP setup to be accessed over the network. Best way to go for a network of any size, or one that is physically dispersed. Using DHCP is so much easier though. You can always reserve IPs to give the appearance of static IPs while keeping all configuration in one location.
Wouldn't need a file on each PC. The batch file could be on a public share if the PC's have network access, or just put on a floppy or USB drive.
I think in most cases the Index value for the NIC will be 1, so you could just assume that; then if you can create a list of computer names,IP desired you can use a FOR loop to read the file and get the IP, or pass the last digit as a command line parameter, or prompt for it. You could also list the NICs and prompt for the Index value if needed.
If you have both wired and wireless though, likely one will be 1 and one will be 2 -- you'd need to check the description in that case, or randomly assign an IP to each interface, as well as providing some way to detect that there are two interfaces to configure.
If you do have to get into the NIC description to find the correct Index value though, seems it would be easier to just configure the IP info through the normal Windows TCP/IP properties dialog.
All depends on the end use. If you want to re-configure a PC after an OS re-install it would save a step or two once you have a list of the PC names, Index number(s) if needed, and desired IP addresses. If you are restoring from an image though, just set the IP before taking the image. And for a one time deal to switch from DHCP to Static, seems it would be easier to do each PC using the TCP/IP dialog.
Jerry