How to pass/share "network variables"?

How could I have multiple instances of a VB Windows application running on different computers on the same network share variable information so that status tracking variables are in sync on all the computers?

Say I have two remote computers I'm tracking the status of, Computer(0) and Computer(1).

Each has a status variable, IsOnline(0) and IsOnline(1)

If Susan, running the application, sets IsOnline(0)=False

Then when Bob runs the applicaton (simultaniously) his also shows IsOnline(0)=False. If he sets a variable the value is reflected in Susan's application as well.

I need near real time updates (within a second or two).

Is this easily done? I'm a beginner so examples and/or thorough explanations will be helpful.

Thank you in advance.
David

winsock will work, I dont code in winsock but if you search you should be able to find some basic example showing how to send/receive data as a client/server. If both your apps worked as server/peers I dont see why it would not work.

Try looking up UDP broadcasting. You might be able to do what you want with it.