Quantum-Key-Distribution (QKD) Networks Enabled by Software-Defined Networks (SDN)

Abstract

As an important support for quantum communication, quantum key distribution (QKD) networks have achieved a relatively mature level of development, and they face higher requirements for multi-user end-to-end networking capabilities. Thus, QKD networks need an effective management plane to control and coordinate with the QKD resources. As a promising technology, software defined networking (SDN) can separate the control and management of QKD networks from the actual forwarding of the quantum keys. This paper systematically introduces QKD networks enabled by SDN, by elaborating on its overall architecture, related interfaces, and protocols. Then, three-use cases are provided as important paradigms with their corresponding schemes and simulation performances.

Special Issue on Quantum Optics for Fundamental Quantum Mechanics

“…The arguments covered in the previous section are then developed in the research articles, which consist of eight papers, offering a panorama of the present studies in quantum optics and analyzing some specific issues of the different lines of research in which this field is structured. In summary, issues concerning non-locality studies range from the application of the de Broglie-Bohm model to Gauss-Maxwell beams [13] to revisiting complementarity relations in bipartite quantum systems [14]; correlations in atoms are investigated in [15,16], photon emission and statistics in [17,18] and methods in quantum technologies in [19,20] The first paper [13] of this section deals with a Bohmian-based approach to Gauss-Maxwell beams, a particularly appropriate and natural tool in optical problems dealing with Gaussian beams acted or manipulated by polarizers: a hydrodynamic-type extension of such a formulation is provided and discussed, complementing the notion of the electromagnetic field with that of (electromagnetic) flow or streamline. The described features confer the approach a potential interest in the analysis and description of single-photon experiments.…”

“…Finally, this Special Issue concludes with methods in quantum technologies [19,20], a very promising and vivid field that nowadays centralizes the great efforts of the quantum optics community.…”

“…In conclusion, paper [20] focuses on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Networks, that actually are an important support for quantum communication. QKD Networks have achieved a relatively mature level of development and, consequently, are facing greater requirements in terms of their implementation capabilities, thus requiring an effective management plane to control and coordinate the QKD resources.…”

An Efficient Dynamic Load Balancing Scheme Based on Nash Bargaining in SDN

“…At the beginning of the game, the initial bargaining breakpoint needs to be set for the game player, and the breakpoint can also be considered the minimum performance threshold for load balancing and migration costs. The optimal and worst load balance degree (LBD best , LBD worst ) is easily obtained according to Formula (4), and the optimal and worst migration cost (Cost best , Cost worst ) is obtained according to Formula (10). Therefore, the worst target of load balancing and migration cost is taken as the bargaining point (LBD worst , Cost worst ), and the bargaining game is performed based on the minimum performance threshold.…”

“…Fu et al [7] proposed a multi-controller sleep model for software-defined networks, allowing some controllers to enter a sleep state under light load conditions to save system costs. Following the introduction of OpenFlow 1.3 [10], Dixit et al [11] proposed an elastic distributed network architecture for the first time, changing the mapping relationship between the controllers and switches through switch migration to implement controller load transfer of the OpenFlow standard. As an elastic flow control solution, switch migration can effectively balance the load imbalance network.…”