How is "bandwidth" defined in networking?

In networking, bandwidth is defined as the maximum rate of data transfer across a network path. This refers to the capacity of the connection in terms of how much data can be transmitted over that network in a given amount of time, typically measured in bits per second (bps). Understanding bandwidth is crucial for network performance; it determines how much information can flow through the network and affects overall speed and efficiency in data transmission.

While the speed required for data transfer and the number of users that can access a network are related concepts, they do not directly define bandwidth itself. Reliability of a network connection, on the other hand, pertains to the stability and consistency of that connection, which is distinct from the concept of bandwidth. Therefore, identifying bandwidth specifically as the maximum data transfer rate clarifies its role in networking.