Not really... you don't have to understand didley bout networks.
IF you really want to bother with that, your best bet is to start figuring out the OSI layers.
But it's really pointless.
Most developers where I am haven't got the faintest idea how networks work
Unless you want to develop some kind of network client serrver app virus or packet tracer or sniffer, you don't need any of that.
Loads of developers if not most just don't need it for their cool stuff.
And when they do, they just get an SDK to do the dirty work for em And they will just talk IP host to IP host in the most basic form.
pick a port, and start talking to the other host.
Most people who need a network application for their Pi, just get one already on the open source market.
Building one from scratch in most cases would be like reinventing the wheel
If you have to ask where to start, I'de say Google.
Cause if you can't figure out the start on your own, you certainly won't figure out the rest of Networking from a book.
If all you want is internet , then
https://www.ietf.org/standards/rfcs/ is all you need
But like I said, if you wanna build something yourself, It would be like asking for a good way to start making a wheel for your car...