a standard

Wireless networking is the coolest thing ever! After minimum configuration of the WAP I was sitting at my dining room table, wirelessly connected to the Internet with my laptop. I installed the WAP configuration utility on the desktop in my basement (running WindowsXP Pro), and got the same error as one of the other reviewers: this software only supported on NT, blah, blah, blah. But yet the utility actually did install, and worked perfectly, so I don't know what his problem was. Besides which, all configuration is done through a web browser anyway, and they give you the default IP in the manual.

If it weren't for the glitch in the software install I would have given this product five stars. Regardless though, this is still the best value for the money of any 802.11a access point on the market today.

The packaging, the manual, etc. all claim that this device is compatible with WIN XP. However, the configurator utility always stops during its install and says "This software will only run under Windows NT 4.0 and its derivatives", and then the install quits. Without the configurator installed, it's impossible to configure the device. I don't have an NT machine. Anyway, I thought XP was derived from NT...

A call to SMC informed me that technical support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - but the next voice told me they could not take my call just then, and their system hung up. That has happened three times.

There's no download at the SMC site for an updated configuration program -- unless it's very well hidden, and not on the page with the other downloads for this device, like a user's manual -- which I read in case it differed from the hardcopy that came with the access point itself, and it was the same.

I'm off to write SMC to inquire as to what exactly the deal is here. Somehow, I don't feel all that hopeful.

In our office, we have a network with this access point and four of the associated wireless cardbus adapters (SMC SMC2735W EZ Connect 802.11a). It is very fast and works great for most applications including accessing data and file server with no speed issues. Occasionally the most remote users loose their connection to the access point and that can be frustrating, but they are over 60 feet away and separated by three interior walls.
Is the extra speed necessary for internet access - no, but for heavier file and data sharing applications, it helps. The rated speed is 72 MBPS, but it does degrade over distance, through barriers, and during other random times.
We are happy with this network solution - it was easy to install and configure, and saved us the cost of installing a wired network in someone else's building.