I've simply added support for tap interfaces to be created on boot through the ifup-eth script. I did create one new config variable, a tap device owner can be specified through the OWNER variable in ifcfg-tapX sysconfig files. Depending on how similar the ifup-eth scripts are between Fedora and Redhat, this patch could be applied to Fedora as well.
Created attachment 310936 [details] patch to support tap device creation on boot
*** Bug 228203 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
I've committed a slightly modified version to the upstream initscripts repository; it will be in RHEL 6. http://git.fedorahosted.org/git/?p=initscripts.git;a=commitdiff;h=242e38c178b6509496452d4a9d9e01024a415e64 This problem is resolved in the next release of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Red Hat does not currently plan to provide a resolution for this in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 update for currently deployed systems. With the goal of minimizing risk of change for deployed systems, and in response to customer and partner requirements, Red Hat takes a conservative approach when evaluating changes for inclusion in maintenance updates for currently deployed products. The primary objectives of update releases are to enable new hardware platform support and to resolve critical defects.