IP Helper Addresses/IPForwardpacket

[rayray221]

Currently I have 14 vlans serving 900-1100 active clients and one dhcp server. I will be adding a second dhcp server and a second ip helper addresses in my cisco 6509 MSFC. What I want to know is how the router interprets these commands. Does it forward to both of the dhcp servers simultaneously? Is there a delay or can I create a delay in between the two forwards?

These servers will be DNS servers as well. Should I use the ip forward-protocal commands to block the unneeded ports including DNS? Does it rely matter if I block DNS packets? I have a separate WINS box, would it be impacted?
The servers have two NIC cards in them. My thoughts were to have one NIC service DHCP and one serving DNS. Although I would like the redundancy of both nics serving both services. Thoughts?

Sorry so long. This may be the wrong forum for some questions, but any help is much appreciated.
-Ray

 

[Iainh]

There is a VERY small delay between the two forwards but basicaly its a first come first served thing. I would suggest that you alternate the two on the VLANs to give the two servers best chance but the least loaded will reply the quickest and assuming they are the same server spec then this itself will provide the best solution anyway.