Description of problem: It would be nice if redhat-config-network (now system-config-network in FC2test1) allowed you to say "Start this network connection at boot time if you can, but don't raise an error if you can't do it". Right now you have to choose between start at boot time or don't start at boot time and if you pick the former and the network is not available (i.e., you're not near a WiFi hotspot or you don't have the ethernet cable plugged in) you get an error that can make things look bad when really it's not a big problem at all. If the network cannot be connected to at boot time, don't make the nice GUI boot screen go from showing graphics into showing text, just continue on its merry way. If the network can be connected to at boot time, do so. I took a stab at the right place to place this RFE.
It would have to be a separate flag... currently ONBOOT is either 'yes' or 'no'; no 'maybe'.
I support the intention of this RFE, but like to propose an alternative method of achieving it. In fact, I like to propose to do the same as what SuSE does *in the case* where the BOOTPROTO is DHCP. If the DHCP client doesn't get an IP address within a fixed time frame (eg, 5sec) put it into the background and continue with the boot process. This is especially useful for wireless cards in laptops, especially if the DHCP client keeps trying in the background and brings the interface up as soon as the machine moves within the range of a suitable wireless network.
Our solution for wireless cards on laptops should be using NetworkManager and not initscripts on boot. Please try setting those devices to ONBOOT=no and use NetworkManager to manage wireless and wired connections.
At this point, the behavior in initscripts is unlikely to change here.