ITunes can share a music library to multiple computers.
ITunes is Apple's digital jukebox software which not only holds a user's music and movie library but can also share it over a network so other users can access and play files from another computer.
ITunes Sharing
Networked computers can find other iTunes libraries.
Music in iTunes can be shared over a local Wi-Fi or Ethernet network of computers. With sharing turned on, a computer's iTunes library can be accessed from within iTunes on another computer if it is set up to look for shared libraries. The most common example of this kind of network is in the home or office with PCs and laptops connected to the same wireless router.
Setup
Users can share music with friends on the same network.
Shared Music can be turned on in iTunes' Preferences. Under the Sharing section, checking the box labeled "Share my library on my local network" followed by the OK button will begin sharing an iTunes library. Checking the "Look for shared libraries" box will scan the network for available libraries.
Access
Libraries can only be accessed when a computer is running iTunes and connected to the network.
When iTunes finds another library on the local network it will display it under the Shared section on the left side of its interface. A user can select this library and browse and play the music and movie files within it. A user can only play these files while the other computer is connected to the network.
Password Protection
Setting a password prevents access to a shared iTunes library.
It is possible to set a password for shared music to prevent others from connecting to your library. Checking the "Require password" box in iTunes' Sharing Preferences lets users type their own password. When another user attempts to connect to your shared library they will be asked for this password.
Limitations
Access to Shared Music is denied if too many users are connected.
Shared music in iTunes is limited to a maximum of five users at a time. Users can only play music and movies from another library and cannot transfer the files to their computers or iPods. Streaming movie files over Wi-Fi may also cause problems for older computers and routers due to the strain these large files put on the system. Protected files such as audiobooks from Audible.com cannot be shared from iTunes.
Home Sharing
Home Sharing makes it easier to share media between computers.
In iTunes 9 and above, a feature called Home Sharing allows users to connect to up to five other computers and copy files between iTunes libraries over a network.
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