Definition
Jitter refers to the variation in the delay of received packets in a network. This inconsistency in packet arrival times can disrupt the smooth flow of data, especially in real-time applications. It occurs due to factors like network congestion, route changes, or queuing delays. Understanding jitter is crucial for maintaining application performance and user experience, as high jitter can lead to choppy audio or video. For instance, a video conference experiencing significant jitter might show frozen frames or garbled sound. Jitter is distinct from latency, which is the total time it takes for a packet to travel from source to destination. This concept is frequently tested on network and security certifications like CompTIA Network+ and CISSP.