What does the term "latency" refer to in a network?

Latency in a network context specifically refers to the delay before a transfer of data begins. It is a measure of the time it takes for a data packet to travel from the source to the destination, effectively capturing the delay encountered during that transmission. This delay can occur due to various factors, including the physical distance between the sender and receiver, the processing time at network devices, and the amount of traffic on the network.

Recognizing that latency is a critical factor in network performance is important, especially in applications where real-time communication is essential, such as video conferencing or online gaming. High latency can lead to noticeable lag, which can adversely affect user experience.

Other terms in the question relate to different aspects of network performance: the amount of data transferred in a given time typically refers to bandwidth; the speed of the network connection can encompass various parameters, including bandwidth and latency; and the error rate in data transmission pertains to the frequency of errors in the transmitted data. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why latency specifically relates to the delayed initiation of data transfer.