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You are here: MacNN Forums > Software - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Applications > Can I share a iTunes library over a network?

Can I share a iTunes library over a network?
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ort888
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Dec 3, 2010, 05:35 PM
 
Here's what I want to do...

Put my huge iTunes library on a secondary computer in the basement.
Then on my laptop, delete the iTunes library/database and all that jazz and point iTunes at the library and database on the networked Mac in the basement.
Then I would like to be able to add music from my laptop and have it get transfered over the network to the computer downstairs.
I would also like to be able to sync my iPhone using my laptop upstairs.

Can I do this? Are there any weird problems involved with doing this?

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OreoCookie
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Dec 3, 2010, 08:23 PM
 
You can share your iTunes library via a checkbox in the iTunes prefs. You can set a password if you like.
I would use screen sharing to access your media server and add the music there. That's another checkbox in the System Prefs.
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ort888  (op)
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Dec 5, 2010, 01:51 AM
 
Doesn't sharing just allow your music to be played on the other computer?

I want to be able to sync my phone.

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besson3c
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Dec 5, 2010, 02:03 AM
 
You can point your iTunes library at a shared network disk, that is not a problem, but getting iTunes to save its playlist data and other application data to this share and reread it at regular intervals to pick up changes I'm not sure about.

Why not give this a try? You can test this out with a VM - the network disk doesn't have to be a Mac.
     
Spheric Harlot
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Dec 5, 2010, 07:12 AM
 
World of hurt.

Either you have the entire library on the network drive, which results in mondo sluggishness as your album artwork is stored there, as well, or

You keep the library local and alias the individual media folders to the network drive. Unfortunately, iTunes cannot save to aliased folders since iTunes 9. Makes adding stuff a ****ed up nightmare.

Or, you use sharing, which won't let you sync iPods/iPhones, won't update playcounts, and and won't let you create/update playlists.

Lose/lose/lose situation.
     
   
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