Backup library to external hard drive

Hi,
up to now I made my backups of my iTunes library using DVDs. Now I would like to switch to an external hard drive. However, I didn't found a way in iTunes to do this. Is this supported by iTunes?
Is it possible to make a backup using another backup application - does this cause a problem (some of my bought music files still have DRM)?
Thanks!

Yes - just drag the iPhoto library to the external drive intact as a single entity
And you might want to look at an incremental backup program to keep it up to date - I use SuperDuper - http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html - which clones my entire system once a day in addition to TM's hourly backups
LN

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It sometimes has that funny switch symbol on it too.
tt2

Trying to copy iPhoto Library to external hard drive for backup. Error message: The Finder can't complete the operation because some data in "iPhoto Library" can't be read or written (Error code -36).

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That code is
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ioErr
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Make sure the EHD is formatted OS X Extended (journaled) and run Disk Utilty on the EHD and repair the disk. If that fails to help I'd try the following:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
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Backup and restoring itunes library from external hard drive?

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Try this...
*Fast backup for iTunes library (Windows Only)*
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Fix #1
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OT

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This is relevant portion of the support document with a bit of editing for clarity.
If iTunes is running, quit iTunes.
Using a Mac click the icon to open iTunes and immediately press and continue to hold down the Option key.
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tt2

Backup library to external hard drive

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