The Engineering of Software-Defined Quantum Key Distribution Networks
Alejandro Aguado, Victor Lopez, Diego Lopez, Momtchil Peev, and Andreas Poppe, Antonio Pastor, Jesus Folgueira, Vicente Martiin

TL;DR
This paper demonstrates the engineering of integrated, programmable quantum key distribution networks that combine classical and quantum communications within existing infrastructure, enabling quantum-safe security in real-world settings.
Contribution
It introduces a practical approach to deploying quantum key distribution in shared networks using programmable architectures and existing protocols, bridging current networks with quantum-safe solutions.
Findings
Successfully deployed in a production network.
Integrated classical and quantum communications.
Supports quantum-safe algorithms and existing security protocols.
Abstract
Quantum computers will change the cryptographic panorama. A technology once believed to lay far away into the future is increasingly closer to real world applications. Quantum computers will break the algorithms used in our public key infrastructure and in our key exchange protocols, forcing a complete retooling of the cryptography as we know it. Quantum Key distribution is a physical layer technology immune to quantum or classical computational threats. However, it requires a physical substrate, and optical fiber has been the usual choice. Most of the time used just as a point to point link for the exclusive transport of the delicate quantum signals. Its integration in a real-world shared network has not been attempted so far. Here we show how the new programmable software network architectures, together with specially designed quantum systems can be used to produce a network that…
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