OpenFlow Arbitrated Programmable Network Channels for Managing Quantum Metadata

• Main Authors: Dasari, Venkat R, Humble, Travis S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 12-10-2016
• Subjects: Computer Science - Emerging Technologies; Computer Science - Networking and Internet Architecture; Physics - Quantum Physics
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1512.08545

The Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation: Applications,
Methodology, Technology 14, 1-11 (2016) Quantum networks must classically exchange complex metadata between devices
in order to carry out information for protocols such as teleportation,
super-dense coding, and quantum key distribution. Demonstrating the integration
of these new communication methods with existing network protocols, channels,
and data forwarding mechanisms remains an open challenge. Software-defined
networking (SDN) offers robust and flexible strategies for managing diverse
network devices and uses. We adapt the principles of SDN to the deployment of
quantum networks, which are composed from unique devices that operate according
to the laws of quantum mechanics. We show how quantum metadata can be managed
within a software-defined network using the OpenFlow protocol, and we describe
how OpenFlow management of classical optical channels is compatible with
emerging quantum communication protocols. We next give an example specification
of the metadata needed to manage and control QPHY behavior and we extend the
OpenFlow interface to accommodate this quantum metadata. We conclude by
discussing near-term experimental efforts that can realize SDN's principles for
quantum communication.