Which of the following is not required to connect a computer to a device on an Ethernet/IP communications network?

In an Ethernet/IP communications network, a USB cable from your computer to the device is not necessary because Ethernet/IP operates over standard Ethernet networking protocols. Instead, communication occurs through an Ethernet network, which enables devices to connect and communicate over a shared medium without requiring a direct physical connection, like a USB cable.

To successfully connect your computer to a device on this type of network, other components are indeed essential. Configuring an Ethernet driver in RsLinx Classic software allows the computer to communicate with the networked devices by managing these connections. Additionally, having an assigned IP address and a subnet mask on your computer is vital for ensuring that your device is on the same network as the communication targets, thus allowing proper routing of data packets. Furthermore, a network interface card (NIC) is crucial as it serves as the hardware component that enables your computer to connect to the Ethernet network. All these elements collectively facilitate network connectivity, while a USB cable does not play a role in this specific communication context.