In terms of QoS, what does latency refer to?

Latency specifically refers to the time it takes for a packet to travel from the source to its destination. This measurement is crucial in evaluating the performance of a network, as it quantifies how long it takes for data to be sent and received. A lower latency indicates a more responsive network, which is particularly important for applications that require real-time communication, such as video conferencing or online gaming.

The correct understanding of latency is fundamental to Quality of Service (QoS) as it directly impacts the user experience. Lower latency can enhance the perception of speed in data transfer, allowing applications to perform more efficiently.