Locate iTunes Library to Network Share

I would like to store the iTunes library on a network resource so that macs and pc's can access it from my network and to facilitate backup and recovery.
Can this be done and if so how?
Thank you

Hi Hugh, happy Christmas...
Sounds like the issue I had with iTunes for a while, before I realised I was starting it BEFORE the network share (remote drive) was mounted. I use a ReadyNAS NV+, but the principle is the same...
Make sure file sharing is properly and securily turned on first on both ends.
A:
You can either connect through finder, once connected to the proper shared folder location drag the relevant folder "itunes music" to the devices list in finder. You should also add the location to you start up items.
B:
You can create a mount point for the drive using "Comand K" (Finder Go menu, connect to server...). If you connect this way its more robust, using either afp or smb you can also add the mount point to your start up items, so you can be sure the share point is available before you start iTunes.
This is how I would connect to my headless Mac mini, where 192.168.2.24 is the local IP of the Mac Mini;
file access... (you will have to double check the syntax here for your setup)
⌘K smb://192.168.2.24/users/woody/music
screen sharing...
⌘K vnc://192.168.2.24
(These shortcuts can be saved in the server list for future use, very handy.)
It should ask you for a password, which you should have set up in file sharing for security.

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tt2

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turingtest2 wrote:
Is the whole library on the network drive, or just the media folder? Is it a NAS or a shared folder on another Windows machine? A USB connected drive as your primary library with the network drive as backup may be a more robust solution. If you library files are on the system drive see Make a split library portable.
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mende1 says:
I recommend you to store the library on another partition on the external disk and keep the first volume only for Time Machine backups.
and you say:
As I write that, however, it strikes me that if that external drive fails, I've lost my entire iTunes media directory AND my TM backup. So I suppose I should use a separate external HD for each, right?
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MadGamer wrote:
Hey guys interesting one for you. Double clicking on my Backup drive (external) on the desktop shows all the files, folders etc, that have been backed up by TM. Now my main purpose is to backup my iTunes Library. But when looking through the folders, I cannot seem to locate where the music has been stored by default. So im wondering if one of you kind people would be able to help me out.
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see this link for details
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427
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Solved - I am using "Shortcuts" for keyboard shortcuts and I used "alt" in combination with "ctrl" and an F-key to open iTunes. Since "alt" is used to hold down while opening iTunes to choose a diifferent librery I think that is what happend.

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turingtest2 wrote:
Is the whole library on the network drive, or just the media folder? Is it a NAS or a shared folder on another Windows machine? A USB connected drive as your primary library with the network drive as backup may be a more robust solution. If you library files are on the system drive see Make a split library portable.
tt2
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It had work fine for a while but I do not know what happened. Nothing I tried worked. I successfully moved my library to my USB 3.0 drive and it is working just fine. I am able to download from the iTunes store now.
Now, I did discover that some movies were missing but I can re-download them easily.
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How can I put iTunes library on network drive?

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In iTunes, are you able to select it in the Preferences/Advanced? Click the Change button.

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Lindsay B wrote:
I accidently deleted my Itunes library and emptied the trash. I do have Time Machine. Can I use that to restore it? I went into Time Machine and couldn't click on the "Music" folder where my Itunes library was stored, even on backups earlier than when I deleted it. Am I doomed? How can I restore my library?
Ouch - a double mistake.
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If not, then double-click the TM volume icon on the desktop and migrate down to a folder that has a recent date on it that is before your accident.
Click the arrow on the left of that folder name and you will see Macintosh HD
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What you see is what you got.
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Message was edited by: nerowolfe

Locate iTunes Library to Network Share

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