Lpc2000

Hi All,

I have a project, where my customer demands CAN bus interaction.
Unfortunately I have never worked with CAN only RS485 etc. so it's all new
to me - sorry for the "dumb" questions.

I'm planning to use an LPC device as I need some processing power, but
frankly I'm a bit afraid to use CAN with all the talking about bad CAN
modules. 

1.
Is there a LPC with an "OK" CAN module? 


2.
The project consists of about 700 units communicating with each other.
I'm planning to use twisted pair cable, wiring all the 700 controllers in
series in a large 9 story building so there's a lot of cable! 

3.
Does one need CAN bus "amplifiers" when there are so many controllers and so
many meters of cable? 

4.
I've heard rumors about CAN being fault tolerant, what happens if two
controllers try to "talk" at the same time? - same as RS485 where the
communication is messed up?

5.
On the LPC's there are a CAN "uart" what kind of "transceiver" do I need to
convert the 3.3V signals to what ever it is CAN is using?


Sorry for the newbie questions.

Regards
Lasse