How to consolidate iTunes from MAC & PC on to a NAS box?

=== Background ===
I've got 2 MACs & 2 PCs (WinXP) and I want to get the iTunes data consolidated to the network.
I've got iTunes data (including purchased songs) on both MACs and 1 PC.
MACs have iTunes 8.02. PC has iTunes 7.4.3.1 (but I can upgrade if that helps).
All purchased songs have DRM and were bought using the same Apple ID.
All the machines are on the same 10/100 network.
I have a NAS box (BuffaloTech) that can be viewed from each machine.
=== Challenge ===
I'd like to move all the iTunes content to the NAS box so that:
- all songs/playlists, etc are in 1 place
- I can use iTunes on any machine MAC/PC to see/play the same libraries
- I can use iTunes from any machine to buy/add more songs to the libraries
=== Questions ===
How hard is all this?
Does the answer get more complex if some of the MACs have multiple accounts?
I'd like each account to be able to see all the songs.
I've read about moving iTunes to an external drive. I figure I can use the same process
to move iTunes from one machine to the NAS. I wasn't able to see much about merger the other iTunes libraries in with the first. Should I do this through my iPhone/USB rather than through the network 10/100?
Once I have the iTunes setup/consolidated on the NAS, how to I get the iTunes on each machine
to use the data on the NAS. Will I run into issues (e.g. file locking) when more than one machine uses the iTunes database at the same time?
What should I watch out for?
Any recommendations regarding this sort of configuration?
Thanks for any advice,
-Dave

Hey u2sweetestallie,
Thanks for the question and detailed information. If your backup drive (in your example, drive A) included the iTunes Library files, you can open the library by following these steps:
iTunes: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1589
If the hard drive did not include the iTunes Library files, but instead just the music, you may wish to re-link or re-import the music:
iTunes 11 for Mac: Import music and video already on your computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12285
iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1408
Thanks,
Matt M.

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