What is meant by latency in a network?

Latency in a network refers to the delay experienced as data packets travel from the source to the destination. It is typically measured in milliseconds (ms) and represents the time taken for a data packet to make the journey across the network infrastructure. High latency can lead to noticeable delays in activities such as video conferencing, online gaming, or other real-time communications, which depend on quick data transfers to be effective.

When considering the other options, they highlight different aspects of data communication but do not accurately describe latency. For instance, one option refers to bandwidth, which is related to how much data can be transmitted simultaneously but doesn't address the delay involved. Another option discusses encryption, which pertains to the security of data transmission rather than the speed. Lastly, total volume of data on a server is about data storage capacity and has no direct connection with latency. The specific focus on time delay in the correct answer makes it the only choice that accurately defines latency in networking contexts.