How to write a server program for NIOS II

Hello,

I'm doing a project where in the NIOS II board is a server which sends the real time data from the PIO peripheral to the HOST Client upon request..Now since i do not have a software background i'm finding little bit difficult to understand many of the system calls that is used by the example software program i.e., simple socket server. I understand that in this application host PC communicates with the board through telnet but now my intention is to write a client program with same function as what telnet isdoing.. Can any one help me in writing a server program and a client program.. I also need to know whether using VB.net is good for developing client program on host PC as it is easy and platform independent...