What does Bandwidth refer to in networking?

Bandwidth in networking refers to the maximum data transfer rate that a network can achieve, which is typically measured in bits per second (bps). It indicates the capacity of a network connection and how much data can be sent or received over that network in a specified amount of time. High bandwidth allows for faster data transfer, enabling seamless streaming, quick downloads, and efficient communication between devices.

Understanding bandwidth is essential because it affects the performance of networks, especially in environments with high data traffic. Having adequate bandwidth is critical for applications such as video conferencing, online gaming, and large file transfers, where large amounts of data need to be transmitted quickly. Thus, identifying bandwidth as the maximum data transfer rate accurately captures its role in networking.