[2008] Connecting VB program to linux program

[MotoMan_Yz400]

Ok this is a weird, complicated problem. I have two computers sharing the same network. One is a Windows based machine and the other is a Linux machine. there are about 12 computers on the network currently (4 windows, 8 linux going through a NetGear router), however I only need 2 of them to communicate (one linux, one windows). There isnt a solid network made between both OS's (not yet, working on it). But once I get them seeing each other I need to get my VB.NET program to talk with a Python program (Python programing is going to be conducted by someone else).

I'm asking, were should I begin on researching on networking programs together? Is WinSock what I need to be using? Can WinSock send things to a Python program? They will be sending simple commands back and forth to perform functions on either computer.

Example:
[linux] - "Set these variables as this, and then get me this data"
[Windows] - "I got the data, here you go"