What does latency refer to in network communication?

Latency in network communication specifically refers to the time delay encountered as data travels from the sender to the receiver. It is measured as the time lapse between when data is sent out and when it is successfully received. This concept is critical in understanding network performance; higher latency can lead to noticeable delays, particularly in applications that require real-time data transfer, such as video conferencing or online gaming.

The other choices focus on different aspects of network performance. The speed at which data is transmitted relates to bandwidth and throughput rather than latency. The amount of data that can be transferred refers to bandwidth capacity, which indicates how much data can be sent in a given period, while reliability addresses the consistency and dependability of the connection over time. Each of these metrics is important in evaluating a network, but they do not define latency itself.