In networking, what does the term "latency" describe?

Latency refers specifically to the delay that occurs before data begins to transfer from one point to another in a network. This delay can be influenced by various factors such as the physical distance between the devices, the type of connection, and any processing time involved in the transfer. Understanding latency is crucial for evaluating network performance, particularly in environments where real-time communication is essential, such as in online gaming or video conferencing.

The other choices pertain to different aspects of networking performance: the speed of data transfer relates to bandwidth, which measures how quickly data can be sent; the amount of data transferable refers to capacity or bandwidth; and the frequency of data packets sent describes the rate of data transmission rather than the initial delay. Thus, the definition of latency as the delay before a transfer starts is both specific and relevant to understanding overall network efficiency.