1. The time it takes for a packet to cross a network connection, from sender to receiver. 2. The period of time that a frame is held By a network device Before it is forwarded. Two of the most important parameters of a communications channel are its latency, which should Be low, and its Bandwidth, which should Be high. Latency is particularly important for a synchronousprotocol where each packet must Be acknowledged Before the next can Be transmitted. (2000-02-27)