Which metric is essential for assessing the health of a network connection in troubleshooting?

Packet loss is a critical metric for assessing the health of a network connection because it directly impacts the performance and reliability of the network. In a well-functioning network, data packets should be transmitted and received without significant loss. When packet loss occurs, it can lead to issues such as interrupted or degraded service, slow response times, and overall poor user experience.

Monitoring packet loss helps identify problems such as congestion, faulty hardware, or improperly configured network devices. By evaluating the packet loss percentage, technicians can determine whether the network is functioning optimally and identify areas that require troubleshooting. In contrast, while the other metrics mentioned—configuration management, load balancing, and data encryption—are important in different aspects of network management, they do not provide the direct insight that packet loss does in terms of troubleshooting connection health.