In networking, what does the term 'latency' refer to?

Latency in networking is defined as the delay that occurs between sending data and the time it is received at its destination. This delay can be influenced by various factors, such as the physical distance between the sender and receiver, the number of hops the data must take through routers and switches, and the processing time at each hop. High latency can lead to noticeable delays in communication, which can affect applications like video conferencing or online gaming that require real-time interaction.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the concept of latency. For example, total data transfer rate refers to bandwidth and the capacity of the network to transmit data, which is a separate consideration from the time it takes for that data to be sent and received. Maximum transmission distance relates to the physical limitations of signal propagation but does not address the timing of data transmission. Finally, a network’s ability to handle heavy traffic is more about its capacity and performance under load, rather than the time delay experienced during data transfer. Thus, the correct understanding of latency is crucial for optimizing network performance and user experience.