As research in quantum key distribution network technologies grows larger and more complex, the need for highly accurate and scalable simulation technologies becomes important to assess the practical feasibility and foresee difficulties in the practical implementation of theoretical achievements. In this paper, we described the design of simplified simulation environment of the quantum key distribution network with multiple links and nodes. In such simulation environment, we analyzed several routing protocols in terms of the number of sent routing packets, goodput and Packet Delivery Ratio of data traffic flow using NS-3 simulator.
As research in quantum key distribution network technologies grows larger and more complex, the need for highly accurate and scalable simulation technologies becomes important to assess the practical feasibility and foresee difficulties in the practical implementation of theoretical achievements. In this paper, we described the design of simplified simulation environment of the quantum key distribution network with multiple links and nodes. In such simulation environment, we analyzed several routing protocols in terms of the number of sent routing packets, goodput and Packet Delivery Ratio of data traffic flow using NS-3 simulator.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), based on the laws of physics rather than the computational \ncomplexity of mathematical problems, provides a secure way of establishing symmetrical binary \nkeys between two geographically distant users. The keys are secure from eavesdropping during \ntransmission and QKD ensures that any third party’s knowledge of the key is reduced to a \nminimum. In recent years, a noticeable progress in the development of quantum equipment has \nbeen reflected through a number of successful demonstrations of QKD technology. While they \nshow the great achievements of QKD, many practical difficulties still need to be resolved, such as \nto provide better service differentiation. These networks are characterized as being multihop in \nnature where the consumption key rate is often higher than the charging key rate, which means that \nthe links are available for a limited period of time only. Such features impose several challenges \non the effective modeling and evaluation of reliability as well as finding appropriate Quality \nof Service (QoS) solution. This thesis focuses on research in the field of QKD for securing \nreal-time communication by supporting QoS in QKD networks including a novel QoS model \nand novel distributed reactive routing protocol to achieve high-level scalability and minimize the \nconsumption of key material used for securing routing data. \nAs research in QKD networks grows larger and more complex, the need for highly accurate and \nscalable simulation technologies becomes important to assess the practical feasibility and foresee \ndifficulties in the practical implementation of theoretical achievements. Due to the specificity of \nQKD link which requires optical/quantum and Internet connection between the network nodes, it \nis very costly to deploy a complete testbed containing multiple network hosts and links to validate \nand verify a certain network algorithm or protocol. The network simulators in these circumstances \nsave a lot of money and time in accomplishing such task. A simulation environment offers the \ncreation of complex network topologies, a high degree of control and repeatable experiments, \nwhich in turn allows researchers to conduct exactly the same experiments and confirm their results. \nThis thesis describes the design and implementation of QKD network simulation module which \nwas developed in the network simulator of version 3 (NS-3). The module supports simulation \nof QKD network in overlay mode or in a single TCP/IP mode. Therefore, it can be used for \nsimulation of other network technologies regardless of QKD. \nImplemented simulation model was used for verification of proposed QoS solution. A number \nof simulations were performed. The obtained data have confirmed the primary thesis of this study, \nthat it is possible to use real-time applications in QKD networks.
Abstract The aim is to analyze the efficiency of a communication method, Quantum key distribution. This newly popularized method of communication uses the principles of quantum mechanics. The simulation environment allows researchers to create complex network topologies and a high degree of control and repeatable experiments, allowing them to conduct studies and verify their outcomes. It would be costly to implement QKD in reality, which would need optical and Internet connections between network nodes and the verification of a certain network method or protocol. Thus, the performance analysis here is done in open-source software called NS-3 or Network Simulator- 3, which has an in-built module called QKD netsim for creating the quantum channel.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a foundational method for the secure generation and distribution of cryptographic keys between network nodes, relying on quantum mechanical principles to provide information-theoretic security. As quantum computing continues to advance, the development of quantum communication networks requires the implementation of complex and secure architectures. However, the deployment of such networks demands considerable financial, technical, and human resources. In this context, simulation tools are essential, as they enable researchers to validate theoretical models, optimize network design, and identify potential vulnerabilities without the need for costly physical infrastructure. The goal of the research was to evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of QNET simulation tool by comparing the outcomes of developed simulation models with empirical data from real QKD networks. While the results in some cases closely aligned indicating a high level of accuracy in modeling QKD networks noticeable discrepancies were observed in certain scenarios. Such an approach not only facilitates more accurate modeling and planning but also promotes the development of scalable, cost effective, and secure quantum communication systems.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) can achieve the secure distribution of keys among multiple users. By leveraging quantum bits for information interaction and transmission, theoretically, the quantum key distribution network is a method of confidential communication with unconditional security. In recent years, many researchers have been attempting to build small-scale quantum key distribution networks. However, the routing protocols in these small-scale networks are all designed for local quantum key distribution, while the practical research on wide-area quantum key distribution networks is relatively scarce, especially the lack of effective routing algorithms for key transmission. Wide-area quantum key distribution networks are characterized by a large number of nodes, large scale, and complex connection relationships, which lead to problems such as complex routing management and high node load pressure. To address this issue, this paper proposes a cross-domain routing model suitable for wide-area quantum key distribution networks, taking cross-domain user private networks on wide-area networks as the research object, and puts forward the concepts of “Interface” and “Link”. On this basis, based on a randomly constructed quantum user network, a novel link state advertisement method and a flooding mechanism are designed, and an inter-domain routing protocol for quantum keys and a key distribution method are provided. Based on this cross-domain model, automated routing management can be carried out, crossdomain quantum key transmission in user private networks can be achieved, and the key problems in the process of quantum key distribution can be effectively solved.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) can provide point-to-point information-theoretic secure key services for two connected users. In fact, the development of QKD networks needs more focus from the scientific community in order to broaden the service scale of QKD technology to deliver end-to-end secure key services. Of course, some recent efforts have been made to develop secure communication protocols based on QKD. However, due to the limited key generation capability of QKD devices, high quantum secure key utilization is the major concern for QKD networks. Since traditional routing techniques do not account for the state of quantum secure keys on links, applying them in QKD networks directly will result in underutilization of quantum secure keys. Therefore, an efficient routing protocol for QKD networks, especially for large-scale QKD networks, is desperately needed. In this study, an efficient routing protocol based on optimized link-state routing, namely QOLSR, is proposed for QKD networks. QOLSR considerably improves quantum key utilization in QKD networks through link-state awareness and path optimization. Simulation results demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the proposed QOLSR routing protocol. Most importantly, with the growth of communication traffic, the benefit becomes even more apparent.
As quantum computers and quantum networks become more capable, it allows for the possibility to use multiple quantum computers as part of a distributed system. Such a distributed system will have applications such as running quantum algorithms in a distributed fashion [7], leadership elections without communication [7], clock synchronisation [10], and a cryptographic protocol called quantum key distribution [1], etc. However, to create a reliable system, it is important that the underlying quantum network can reliably support the necessary communication protocols between quantum nodes. To support reliable communication in a quantum network, quantum routing algorithms - which are algorithms that plan out how to send qubits and over which subset of nodes in the network - is an active area of research. However, various design choices and algorithms exist that are developed without a realistic simulated environment that can provide rich data that can further help develop, improve, and test these algorithms. Such an environment is important because general-purpose algorithms need to take into account detailed information about how the qubit changes over the communication process - as that requirement can vary for different applications - rather than simpler probability based loss models existing algorithms were developed with. Using existing lower-level tools, we are creating a tool will help evaluate and design routing protocol by providing a variety of models - from simple to complex - to support various stages of development, as well as the ability to generate useful data to evaluate how the protocols perform in a realistic quantum network.