Is the network Firebird setup required even if only one networked computer ever accesses the database?

Yes.
As soon as the database is on a different computer than the AyaNova program, you do have to utilize the network setup.

The Firebird embedded database that installs by default with AyaNova can only reside on the same physical disk drive as the AyaNova program and only supports one connection at a time.

For any other usage you would need to set up AyaNova for a network environment as per the instructions in the AyaNova v3 Manual section “Installation of AyaNova using network Firebird database server” starting on page 536

The embedded Firebird database can not be used by a networked computer.

The embedded Firebird database would be used by those with either of the following:

  1. Only one instance of the AyaNova program will be run

  2. Both the program and database are installed to the same computer

The embedded Firebird is installed by default. No additional installation or configuration is needed.

A network Firebird database would be used by those with the following:

  1. Multiple instances of the AyaNova program will be run or

  2. Database will be shared and accessed by one or more networked computers