Methods and apparatus to reduce audio streaming latency between audio and gigabit ethernet subsystems

At least one non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to at least:

• configure a direct hardware path between an Ethernet subsystem and an audio subsystem to exchange audio data between the Ethernet subsystem and the audio subsystem without the audio data being processed by a first software driver that is to provide access to the Ethernet subsystem or a second software driver that is to provide access to the audio subsystem, the audio data associated with an audio stream at least one of transmitted to or received from an audio endpoint device via a network;
• and
• synchronize a shadow precision time protocol timer with a precision time protocol timer maintained by the Ethernet subsystem.

A method to process an audio stream associated with an endpoint device on a network, the method comprising:

• configuring, by executing an instruction with at least one processor, a direct hardware path between an Ethernet subsystem and an audio subsystem to exchange audio data between the Ethernet subsystem and the audio subsystem without the audio data being processed by a first software driver that is to provide access to the Ethernet subsystem or a second software driver that is to provide access to the audio subsystem, the audio data associated with the audio stream, the audio stream at least one of transmitted to or received from the endpoint device via the network;
• and
• synchronizing, by executing an instruction with the at least one processor, a shadow precision time protocol timer with a precision time protocol timer maintained by the Ethernet subsystem.