Conventional Winsock name service is best suited to fixed networks, in which the group of devices that can accept a socket connection is relatively static. Conversely, IrDA is designed to handle browsing for resources within range. It works in an extemporary manner, and devices disconnect and connect frequently as they move in and out of range.
Because of these differences, IrSock does not use the conventional Winsock name service functions. Instead, name service is incorporated into the communication stream.