In networking, what does the term "throughput" refer to?

Throughput refers to the actual amount of data successfully transmitted over a network in a specific amount of time, typically measured in bits per second (bps) or its multiples, such as Mbps or Gbps. It represents the effective data rate that users or applications experience, taking into account any overhead, errors, or retransmissions that may occur in the communication process.

Understanding throughput is essential for evaluating the performance of a network, as it provides insight into how much data can be processed and transferred under real-world conditions, unlike maximum speed figures, which can be theoretical and may not account for various factors affecting performance.

The other options relate to different networking concepts. The maximum speed of data transmission refers to the highest possible speed a connection can achieve, which does not reflect real-world performance. The total number of users connected and the number of devices on the network deal with network capacity and resource management rather than the efficiency of actual data transmission. Hence, the focus on throughput gives a clear understanding of the network's capability in practical terms.