Win2k clustering NIC failover question

Hi all, Need best practice/correct answer for a Win2k clustered server. The machine currently has 2 NICs w/ seperate IP’s. One NIC is disabled and one is the active primary. When we pull the CAT5 cable on the primary active NIC for failover it takes 5 minutes to activate the 2nd NIC and start using this. I was told this was the correct method of failover.?

If I set each machine up with BOTH NICs active in parallel failover mode, pulling a CAT5 results in instant failover to the other activeNIC. I was told that even though downtime is almost zero this is not correct?

This sounds all wrong. Can someone out there please let me know the correct way to cluster this machine and provide ultimate failover capabilities. Mucho gracias…