What does latency refer to in the context of networking?

Latency in the context of networking refers specifically to the time it takes for data to travel from the source to the destination. This concept is critical in understanding the responsiveness of a network, as it affects how quickly data packets are transmitted and received. Low latency is essential for applications where real-time communication is necessary, such as online gaming, video conferencing, and VoIP services.

Understanding latency involves recognizing that it is not concerned with how much data can be transmitted at once (bandwidth) or the speed of data processing, but rather the delay experienced during transmission. This makes it a unique and important metric that impacts user experience and overall network performance.