Which term refers to the transfer rate of data in a network?

The term that refers to the transfer rate of data in a network is bandwidth. Bandwidth represents the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a network connection in a given period of time, typically measured in bits per second (bps). It essentially indicates the capacity of the network link, determining how much information can be sent or received simultaneously.

Understanding bandwidth is crucial in the context of network performance because higher bandwidth allows for faster data transfer rates, enabling smoother streaming, quicker downloads, and more efficient data communication among devices. While related concepts like latency and throughput may also affect data communication, they are distinct from bandwidth. Latency refers to the time delay in data transmission, and throughput measures the actual amount of data successfully transmitted over a network in a specific timeframe, which may be limited by bandwidth but reflects the real-world performance.