bonding module not loading in Stretch

Hi list,

This isn't ISP-specific but I know quite a few run this driver.

I'm attempting to roll a new router/firewall using Debian 9 and am hitting =
a wall with the bonding module. The last time I configured bonding was on S=
queeze (Debian 6), I did through adding

	"alias bond0 bonding
	options bonding <whatever>"

into /etc/modprobe.d/aliases.conf, and adding some shortcuts in /etc/networ=
k/interfaces to call ifenslave.

I see now that the preferred method is to do everything in the interfaces f=
ile, by passing options like "bond_mode" and so on.

The issue I'm running into is that I can't get the bonding driver to load o=
n boot. After a fresh boot, "ifup" returns "no such device". I must manuall=
y modprobe bonding in order to get it running. This happens despite adding =
the above options into a file in /etc/modprobe.d. For similar reasons - or =
so I assume - I can't get additional bonds to work unless I manipulate /sys=
/class/net/bonding_masters as suggested here https://ubuntuforums.org/print=
thread.php?t=3D1119460

It seems the real problem is that things I put into /etc/modules or a file =
under /etc/modprobe.d are ignored.

Are things done differently now? I mostly missed Debian 8, it wouldn't surp=
rise me if I'm just ignorant.

Thanks
Ross