Multidomain orchestration for quantum key distribution networks

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The global Internet appears to users as a unified, seamless infrastructure, but in reality, it is composed of multiple interconnected networks: separate domains with different management and policies. This unified behavior is made possible by complexity-hiding mechanisms and inter-domain coordination protocols, which are critical components of modern networking. As we approach a paradigm shift driven by quantum technologies, new challenges and opportunities emerge. Quantum information processing enables capabilities that classical systems cannot achieve, including the potential to compromise public key infrastructures that support today’s network security. Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers a promising avenue by implementing a key agreement protocol that is information-theoretically secure against computational attack. However, to fully leverage QKD, networks must be adapted to the unique constraints of quantum communication, integrating both quantum bit transmission and secure key distribution across multiple domains. This paper discusses the interconnection of quantum key distribution networks (QKDNs) and presents a distributed, standards-aligned orchestration mechanism designed to manage QKD networks spanning multiple administrative domains. Our solution builds on existing QKDN standards to facilitate interoperability and practical deployment in heterogeneous environments and has been validated on a heterogeneous multi-domain network comprising three interconnected autonomous domains.
Funding Information
  • Comunidad de Madrid (MADQuantum-CM NextGenerationEU (PRTR - C17.I1))
  • Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Horizon Europe research n. 101114043 (“QSNP”))
  • Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (EuroQCI-Spain DEP grant 101091638)
  • Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (16KISQ072)