Client server on web server

I am trying to create a client and server perl script to run on my webserver but cannot get them communicating properly.
I have used the examples from as a guide and think my problem is because i am unsure as to what i should change the port number settings to.

The scripts will be used for the following :

Server script :
Always running. This will basically handle reading and writing to an array of information

Client side:

Two types of client side scripts:
a) one instance of a data sender. This is performing data collection and when necessary will send the data along the socket to the server to store

b) zero to many instances of data reader clients. These scripts will be called by anyone wishing to use the service i am providing in order to read the data that has been stored.

I am having trouble getting a server and client hosted on my web server (and communicating properly).
Can anyone help out or provide me with some simple sample code as to what settings i need

Lastly, I would want the server to be always running but on the first instance of a client being called - it needs to start the server. how do i do this?
(this will mean that if the web host ever goes down, then when it comes back a client can restart the server)

Many thanks