OpenFlow Arbitrated Programmable Network Channels for Managing Quantum Metadata

TL;DR

This paper explores how software-defined networking, specifically OpenFlow, can be adapted to manage quantum metadata and channels, facilitating integration of quantum communication protocols with classical network infrastructure.

Contribution

It introduces an extension of the OpenFlow protocol to support quantum metadata management, enabling SDN principles to be applied to quantum networks.

Findings

OpenFlow can be extended to manage quantum metadata.

Quantum and classical optical channels can be integrated using SDN.

Proposed specifications support near-term quantum network experiments.

Abstract

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.