In a previous publication, an algebraic solution of Simulated Moving-Bed (SMB) chromatography was derived in the linear, ideal case fora binary mixture. This solution predicts the concentration profiles of the two components along the columns and the concentration histories at the raffinate and the extract ports. It shows the asymptotic nature of SMB operations. On the basis of this previous work, we discuss here the steady-state operation of a SMB, the speed at which this state is reached, and the influence of several physical parameters on this speed. A comparison is made between the results obtained with the solution of the ideal model and those derived from the numerical solutions of more realistic, nonideal models. This comparison shows that, in most practical cases, the speed at which the profiles tend toward the steady-state ones is the same with the ideal model and with the nonideal models. Therefore, the results derived here can be applied to practical cases.