def request_via_socket(sock, search_target):
    '''Send an SSDP search request via the provided socket.

    Args:
        sock: A socket suitable for use to send a broadcast message - preferably
            one created by :py:func:`make_socket`.
        search_target (string): A :term:`resource type` target to search for.
    '''
    msgparts = dict(HOST=MCAST_IP_PORT, MAN='"ssdp:discover"', MX='3', ST=search_target)
    msg = encode_request('M-SEARCH * HTTP/1.1', **msgparts)
    sock.sendto(msg, (MCAST_IP, MCAST_PORT))