Which term describes the maximum theoretical capacity of a network communication link?

The term that describes the maximum theoretical capacity of a network communication link is bandwidth. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a given amount of time, typically measured in bits per second (bps). This concept is crucial in telecommunications as it defines the limitations of data transfer capabilities of a communication channel.

Understanding bandwidth helps in determining how much data can flow through a network link without causing congestion. It essentially sets the upper limit on the data transfer rate, highlighting the potential performance of the network connection. For example, a link with a bandwidth of 100 Mbps can transmit a maximum of 100 megabits of data per second under ideal conditions.

In contrast, latency refers to the delay experienced in transmitting data, throughput measures the actual speed of data transfer that can be attained on a network, and propagation delay is the time it takes for data to travel from the sender to the receiver. These terms are related to performance but do not define the theoretical transmission capacity like bandwidth does.