What does high latency typically indicate in a network?

High latency in a network is typically associated with slow data transfer. Latency refers to the time it takes for a packet of data to travel from the source to the destination and back again. When latency is high, it means there is a significant delay in data transmission, which directly impacts the speed at which data is transferred across the network.

This phenomenon can occur due to various reasons such as long distances between network devices, congestion within the network, or inefficient routing processes. High latency can affect real-time applications that require quick response times, such as video conferencing or online gaming, making it essential to monitor and manage latency levels to ensure optimal performance.

In contrast, high latency does not indicate fast data transmission, connection instability, or high bandwidth efficiency, as those aspects relate to different network performance parameters. Understanding the relationship between latency and data transfer speeds is crucial for troubleshooting and improving network performance.