Service path protection is provided for packet-based data services by making available to a protected service, as and when needed, preemptable transport bandwidth used, under normal conditions, to transport other data services. According to one embodiment of the invention, a sputter deposition apparatus is provided, including at least one sputter target, a first plasma, a substrate holder, and a further plasma. The emitting intensity of each of the plurality of LEDs depends on the number of pulses in its respective one of the serial binary signals, wherein the light from the plurality of LEDs combines to emit a color of light. In addition, each time the controller receives a data write request, the controller writes received data onto a corresponding main data magnetic tape and adds the received data onto a common auxiliary data magnetic tape. A delivery subsystem directs the messages through the system nodes associated with the senders’ access portals to the system nodes associated with the recipients’ access portals.