hmm i have a similar thing, which i called 'profiles' bit like phones
ive got so 'profiles' , like home, home-wireless, office, standalone
depending on the profile, it will start the appropriate network, and services (e.g. wired+ssh for home, nothing for standalone)
these scripts where based on some network scripts someone had here...
only issue i have, is the scripts rewrite the manifest file (good!) , but of course if you shutdown the iliad, currently the manifest.xml is not changed, so next time you start its incorrect.
but your idea, makes me think, perhaps i should just make an rc entry which will invoke my last profile...
one thing, i would also need to keep though, is ive made it so that ssh and wired network both start if i dont have my 'normal' cf inserted, this is my unbrick solution