What term describes the total capacity of a network line and the rate of data transfer over a network connection?

The term that describes the total capacity of a network line and the rate of data transfer over a network connection is bandwidth. Bandwidth essentially indicates how much data can be transmitted in a given time frame, typically measured in bits per second. It provides an understanding of the potential maximum data transmission capacity between two points in a network.

This concept is crucial for understanding network performance. Higher bandwidth means more data can be sent or received simultaneously, which is essential for applications requiring significant data transmission, such as video streaming or large file transfers. By comprehending bandwidth, one can better assess what kind of network performance to expect and optimize accordingly.