vb.net ethernet communications

I am familiar with the plc programming but am a rookie at VB and have no clue where to start setting up the communications. I am just going to be reading and writing 1- words. Does anyone have a book that they recommend that would explain the steps required?
Thanks
Doug

http://www.opcsystems.com/opc_systems_net.htm

I've used this with VB 2005 & a Kepware server.
The OPCsystems.net has all of the communications overhead built in, you simply choose a OPCTextbox, OPCLabelbox, assign the tag, and viola, you're off & running.