Sending multiple type of data from a single network stream in C#

Question

I am creating a program similar to Microsoft Netmeeting for that I have to send Multiple type of data from a single connection such as Mouse position, Pressed key and offcourse a screen shot at a time. I am success fully sending and receiving Screen shot to the client but I am unable to understand how multiple data could be send through the single connetion.

I think it require multiple ports for this purpose. One for Screen shot, One for Mouse Pos and One for Key pressed.

Following are the codes I am using: Server = Sender of ScreenShot, Recever of MousePos and Key. Client = Receiver of ScreenShot, Sender of MousePos and Key.

Server:

void StartListen()
{
    try
    {
        IPEndPoint ipendp = new IPEndPoint(IPAddress.Parse(OwnIP()), 532);
        tcpl = new TcpListener(ipendp);
        tcpl.Start();
        s1 = tcpl.AcceptSocket();
        ns = new NetworkStream(s1);
        timer1.Enabled = true;
        while (true)
        {
            byte[] buffer = imageToByteArray(CaptureScreenShot());
            s1.Send(buffer, buffer.Length, SocketFlags.None);
            Thread.Sleep(250);
        }
    }
    catch
    {
        tcpl.Stop();
        ns.Close();
        //tcpl.EndAcceptSocket();
        Form1_Load(0,EventArgs.Empty);
    }
}

Client:

void StartClient()
{
    try
    {

        IPEndPoint ipendp = new IPEndPoint(IPAddress.Parse(toolStripTextBox1.Text), 532);
        this.Text = "SWare Application - " + toolStripTextBox1.Text + ":532";
        tcpc = new TcpClient();
        tcpc.Connect(ipendp);
        Socket s1 = tcpc.Client;
        ns = tcpc.GetStream();

        while (true)
        {
            byte[] b = new byte[500000];
            s1.Receive(b);
            MemoryStream ms = new MemoryStream(b);
            pictureBox1.Image = Image.FromStream(ms);
            //Thread.Sleep(250);
        }
    }
    catch
    {
        tcpc.Close();
        MessageBox.Show("Disconnected from the Remote PC");
    }
}

Answer 1

You can use a single connection, but you have to provide a way for the receiver to differentiate the type of data (and its size) prior to reading it.

That being said, if you're writing both sides of the connection (the client + server), it would be far simpler to use a technology like WCF. It would allow you to pass full class instances with strongly typed data, and take care of the underlying transport (in a configurable way) for you automatically.