Why doesn't a device connected via Ethernet need a driver on the PC that is connected to that device?

Question

Why doesn't a device connected via Ethernet need a driver on the PC that is connected to that device?

Answer 1

Most ethernet communications is done with basic TCP/IP and that is within the OS and adapter.

However, it all depends on what the "network" device is doing.  If you connect a network printer, it will need a driver to work correctly. If you connect to a router, the "drivers" are already installed on your computers network card. So the answer is all dependent upon what the device does and how it does it.

Your network adapter includes several "drivers" for many networking communication tasks, other tasks will need another driver.