What does the term "jitter" refer to in network performance?

The term "jitter" specifically refers to the variation in packet arrival times in a network. It indicates the inconsistency in delays between packets arriving at their destination, which can lead to disrupted data streams, particularly in applications requiring real-time transmission like VoIP, video conferencing, or online gaming. High jitter can result in choppy audio or video, making the quality of service suffer significantly.

In contrast, consistent packet arrival times would suggest low or no jitter, while speed of data transmission relates to bandwidth rather than the timing of packets. Latency, on the other hand, measures the time it takes for a packet to travel from source to destination, which is a different metric than jitter. Thus, the understanding of jitter is crucial when managing and optimizing network performance to ensure smooth and reliable communication.