A quantum network, which involves multiple parties pinging each other with quantum messages, could revolutionize communication, computing and basic sciences. The future internet will be a global system of various packet switching quantum and classical networks and we call it quantum internet. To build a quantum internet, unified protocols that support the distribution of quantum messages within it are necessary. Intuitively one would extend classical internet protocols to handle quantum messages. However, classical network mechanisms, especially those related to error control and reliable connection, implicitly assume that information can be duplicated, which is not true in the quantum world due to the no-cloning theorem and monogamy of entanglement. In this paper, we investigate and propose protocols for packet quantum network intercommunication. To handle the packet loss problem in transport, we propose a quantum retransmission protocol based on the recursive use of a quantum secret sharing scheme. Other internet protocols are also discussed. In particular, the creation of the logical process-to-process connections is accomplished by a quantum version of the three-way handshake protocol.
A quantum network, which involves multiple parties pinging each other with quantum messages, could revolutionize communication, computing and basic sciences. The future internet will be a global system of various packet switching quantum and classical networks and we call it quantum internet. To build a quantum internet, unified protocols that support the distribution of quantum messages within it are necessary. Intuitively one would extend classical internet protocols to handle quantum messages. However, classical network mechanisms, especially those related to error control and reliable connection, implicitly assume that information can be duplicated, which is not true in the quantum world due to the no-cloning theorem and monogamy of entanglement. In this paper, we investigate and propose protocols for packet quantum network intercommunication. To handle the packet loss problem in transport, we propose a quantum retransmission protocol based on the recursive use of a quantum secret sharing scheme. Other internet protocols are also discussed. In particular, the creation of the logical process-to-process connections is accomplished by a quantum version of the three-way handshake protocol.
Large-scale quantum networks with thousands of nodes require scalable network protocols and physical hardware to realize. In this work, we introduce packet switching as a new paradigm for quantum data transmission in both future and near-term quantum networks. We propose a classical-quantum data frame structure and explore methods of frame generation and processing. Further, we present conceptual designs for a quantum reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer to realize the proposed transmission scheme. Packet switching allows for a universal design for a next generation Internet where classical and quantum data share the same network protocols and infrastructure. In this new quantum networking paradigm, entanglement distribution, as with quantum key distribution, is an application built on top of the quantum network rather than as a network designed especially for those purposes. For analysis of the network model, we simulate the feasibility of quantum packet switching for some preliminary models of quantum key and entanglement distribution. Finally, we discuss how our model can be integrated with other network models toward a realization of a quantum Internet.
The quantum internet is a global system also called the future internet and is considered a complement to the classical packet switching internet, which performs the function of exchanging messages in the network in an innovative way, as it depends on the basic principles of quantum bits. In order to prepare for the quantum internet, its protocols must be configured initially like routing protocols, and because routing in the quantum internet depends mainly on the property of quantum entanglement, it is facing a constant challenge to what the quantum properties impose, Accordingly, studies in this field continue to emerge, as proposals for protocols are renewed. Therefore, in this research, we present a comprehensive study of the recently proposed quantum routing protocols by classifying these protocols into two categories, the first deals with the routing metrics on which the protocol depends, while the other deals with the problem being solved through the routing protocol. It is shown that although many metrics were suggested for routing protocols, the common metric was the throughput (entanglement rate), In addition, it was considered an essential metric in solving most of the routing problems in quantum networks.
Large-scale quantum networks with thousands of nodes require scalable network protocols and physical hardware to realize. In this paper, we introduce packet switching as a paradigm for quantum data transmission in both future and near-term quantum networks. We propose a classical-quantum data frame structure and explore methods of frame generation and processing. Further, we present conceptual designs for a quantum reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer to realize the proposed transmission scheme. Packet switching allows for a universal design for a next-generation Internet where classical and quantum data share the same network protocols and infrastructure. In this quantum networking paradigm, entanglement distribution, as with quantum key distribution, is an application built on top of the quantum network rather than as a network designed especially for those purposes. For analysis of the network model, we simulate the feasibility of quantum packet switching for some preliminary models of quantum key and entanglement distribution. Finally, we discuss how our model can be integrated with other network models toward a realization of the quantum Internet.
One of the first problems of studying the quantum internet is how to realize quantum interconnection between users in a quantum network. To address above problem, by referencing the classical Internet, developing the packet switching of quantum networks is a promising way. In this paper, we propose a new hybrid packet switching for entanglement-based quantum networks assisted by classical frame. Different from the previous packet switching for quantum networks based on single photon, the frame used in our scheme is pure classical rather than the classical-quantum structure, and the transmission of classical and quantum signals over physical channels can be independent, which makes our scheme is also valid for quantum networks with heralded entanglement generation. Using our hybrid packet switching, the process of building entanglement channel between end nodes is analogous to the classical packet-switched networks, which provides an effective way to build large-scale packet-switched entanglement-based quantum internet. To verify the feasibility, we perform end-to-end entanglement distribution using our hybrid packet switching in a quantum network and simulate the fidelities of distributed state with respect to the number of hops.
Quantum networks play a pivotal role in quantum information science, which not only provide a secure communication platform for remote access to quantum computers but also serve as the strategic core for achieving large-scale quantum information processing, forming the foundational infrastructure for the future global-scale quantum internet. Quantum teleportation, which enables the transmission of unknown quantum states over long distances by employing quantum entanglement together with classical communication, is essential for the distribution of quantum resources in the construction of the global-scale quantum internet. To realize a global-scale quantum internet, quantum repeater protocols represent one of the most promising approaches for enabling quantum communication between any nodes. This concise review presents representative experimental demonstrations of quantum teleportation for constructing quantum networks across different physical platforms. Along this trajectory, the review discusses current challenges, open issues, and future perspectives toward scalable and practical quantum internet.
Abstract - Quantum networking represents one of the most transformative developments in modern secure communication. Unlike classical networks that rely on mathematical encryption, quantum networks exploit the physical properties of qubits—superposition, entanglement, and the no-cloning theorem—to establish communication channels that are inherently tamper-evident. As quantum technologies mature, applications such as quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum repeaters, quantum teleportation, quantum memory systems, and quantum internet protocols are gaining global traction. This paper consolidates current progress in quantum networking technologies and provides an extended discussion of recent advancements in protocols, hardware components, integrated photonic systems, and machine-learning-enhanced architectures. Additionally, results synthesized from established literature, illustrate performance trends, security gains, and practical deployment challenges in quantum communication networks. The paper also outlines future directions toward scalable quantum internets, hybrid quantum-classical infrastructures, error-corrected qubit networks, satellite-based QKD, and intelligent routing systems. Overall, quantum networking is positioned to redefine the future of secure data transfer, distributed computing, and global communication infrastructures. Key Words: Quantum networking, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Entanglement Distribution, Integrated Photonic Chips, Machine Learning (ML)