What is "sneakernet"

n. (context computing informal humorous English) A method of transferring a computer file from one computer to another by copying it to a floppy disk or some other external storage, carrying the disk to the other computer and installing it there, in contrast with electronic methods used by networked computers to transfer data.

Sneakernet is an informal term describing the transfer of electronic information, especially computer files, by physically moving removable media such as magnetic tape, floppy disks, compact discs, USB flash drives (thumb drives, USB stick) or external hard drives from one computer to another, usually in lieu of transmitting the information over a computer network. The term, a tongue-in-cheek play on Ethernet, refers to the use of someone wearing sneakers as the transport mechanism for the data.

Sneakernet is also used to refer to long ping times and the tradeoff between latency and bandwidth.