Explain the term “latency” in networking.

Latency is a critical concept in networking that is defined as the time taken for data to travel from its source to its destination across the network. This time delay can occur due to various factors, such as the distance data must cover, processing delays in networking equipment (like routers and switches), and queuing delays as data packets await their turn to be transmitted.

When measuring latency, it is typically expressed in milliseconds (ms) and reflects how swiftly data can be sent and received. A lower latency means that there is minimal delay in data transmission, which is essential for applications that require real-time interactions, such as video conferencing, online gaming, and VoIP communication. Understanding latency is crucial for optimizing network performance and ensuring that the applications dependent on it function smoothly.

In contrast, the other options touch on different aspects of networking but do not accurately define latency. For example, the speed of the internet connection involves both latency and bandwidth but does not specifically address the delay in data transmission. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted in a given time period, while other options focus on those measures rather than the significant delay aspect that latency encompasses.