Works exactly as expected straight out of the box. Network cards are recognised automatically at least in ME and 2000 so you dont even need to install drivers if you dont want to. Cards are treated just like ethernet cards.Real speeds are about 7-8MBs (which is about what youd expect from a 10base-T network and best youd get from a wirelss 11MBs setup). Plenty for file and print sharing and internet sharing on a small network.
Been using this stuff for about a year on some pretty old and messy BT telephone extension wiring with no problems at all (either with telephone calls or data connections between computers). Running new CAT5 cables wasnt an easy option for me because of internal listing on building. Wireless has speed and security issues so HPNA2 seemed to be the way to go - and I believe it is.
One drawback - you only seem to be able to buy network cards in the UK. None of the other useful stuff is imported here. Come on Linksys/Netgear- when are we going to get your Ethernet/HPNA bridges and routers over here? There are ways of ovecoming this using a PC with an ethernet card and an HPNA card but for simplicity, I ended up bringing an ethernet/HPNA bridge back from the US so that I can run an ethernet segment and use a hardware print server.