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The 32-bit Pentium seems to be at the end of its useful life and the Itanium is still years away.

Actually, Intel's Itanium processor is scheduled for mid-2000. You can snag some product information and datasheets here. I believe Intel plans on releasing and/or supporting 32-bit products into as late as 2002 if not longer, but I haven't checked their CPU roadmap in a while. However, IMHO, 64-bit is a safe investment considering it will soon be the de facto standard. This is definitely something to put into serious consideration, and you should definitely consult your coworkers and review your organization's future plans and needs.

Unfortunately, every single vendor and VAR I talk to actually laughs at me and asks me questions like "Can I ask you why you are not considering an industry standard NT/Intel-based solution?" and "Can you really count on Linux to survive the next few years? Those socialist coders are going to get bored and figure out they can make more money in the real world eventually." (actual conversations) :-(

If you're looking for some places which support Linux, I've found VA Linux Systems to have excellent customer support and very reasonable pricing. I hear that Penguin Computing is excellent as well. And also from my experience, I've found Firstsource.com to be very helpful and resourceful as well. Though I haven't tapped them for any Linux solutions yet, CDW has a rock-solid reputation, and superb customer support.

In addition, Dell, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Compaq all offer their own solutions, but some of their flagship products contain propietary hardware which increases the price dramatically for everything. However I do not say to avoid them, as they offer excellent products and support (varies), but keep that in consideration.

And I don't know about you, but I, personally, would never purchase ANYTHING from an organization that mocks my evaluated decision. I would be appalled at said treatment.

You've made a wise decision to tap the Slashdot community for assistance. I hope I was of help, if not, I'm positive that my peers will be.
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I've had much success with the Protec BYTELAN KVM switches I've used over the past few years. You can usually pick them up for approx. 200 usd. at CDW or elsewhere.

One nice feature (aside from the WIDE range of monitor resolutions and the all-digital switching) is the ability to daisy-chain the KVM switches.

Later.

If we take 24 of these drives, in a RAID array, allowing $1000 for a controller... the price works out to:
24 * 365 ---> $8760
Controller -> $1000
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Total price $9876
They want more than 10 times this price... time for a reality check!

--Mike--