start-domain only returns when it has verified that the server is up and running and returning results from remote commands.
It looks like Ant just fires up asadmin in a different JVM and then returns control back to you immediately.
Did the domain get started ok?
[Message sent by forum member 'bnevins' (byron.nevins_at_sun.com)]
http://forums.java.net/jive/thread.jspa?messageID=382079