What is network latency?

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What is network latency?

Network latency refers to the delay or time it takes for data to travel from one point to another within a computer network. It is the time it takes for a packet of data to be transmitted from the source device to the destination device and back. Network latency is influenced by various factors such as the distance between the devices, the quality of the network infrastructure, the number of devices connected, and the congestion on the network. Latency is typically measured in milliseconds (ms) and can have a significant impact on the performance and responsiveness of network applications and services. Lower latency is desirable for real-time applications such as video conferencing, online gaming, and voice over IP (VoIP), as it reduces the delay between user actions and the corresponding response from the network.