How do I link an iTunes Library (on an external disk) ?

Hi all,
I'd like to keep my huge collection on external drives.
I was able to link the correct playlist (on external disk which was cloned from my previous Mac).
What exactly should I link?
For example: in Aperture, I just select the Aperture Library on my external drive and all my pics are available (obviously if the drive is plugged in).
In iTunes I don't see this option... The only thing I see is the iTunes Media Folder Location option... which I don't really understand why is not there on my external hard drive.
Any idea?
Thanks

If you have the whole iTunes library (media files, library files, genius, artwork, etc.) on an external drive hold down the option key while starting iTunes, navigate to the external, and it will use the iTunes folder on the external.  This is all too often confused with just keeping media (but not the library files or artwork) on an external which is the setting you see in Preferences.

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