SOA: Failure to start when missing data source

While MOS note 1630343.1 is straightforward for why a SOA server can't start up when the data source is missing or unavailable, this note has a link to Oracle documentation which explains WHY that is and offers ways to tune data source connections.  This has multiple applications as it applies to WebLogic and JDBC connections, so this may add some value for you either today or down the road!