Transmission latency is the time required for an entire packet to travel between two communication links, including error detection and retransmission. For a packet of length L sent at rate R, transmission delay is L/R. section 2.4
It is distinct from propagation delay, which reflects travel across the physical path, and from router processing or queuing latency. Across multiple hops, these delays accumulate alongside transmission time. section 2.4
Ethernet packet path
An Ethernet packet crossing several networks experiences physical propagation, router processing, transmission between links, and possible retransmission after an error; the complete path latency combines these effects. section 2.4
