QIRG

Summary

The Quantum Internet Research Group (QIRG) met at IETF 126 to discuss active research drafts, emulated environments, and near-term quantum networking applications and standardization. The agenda covered updates on three active research group drafts (draft-irtf-qirg-qi-multiplane-arch, draft-cacciapuoti-qirg-quantum-native-architecture, and draft-zhu-qirg-qdcp), alongside presentations on near-term applications beyond Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), hybrid emulation environments, and the European EuroQCI standardization efforts.

Key Discussion Points

1. Introduction and Status Update

Wojciech Kozlowski opened the meeting and presented the Chair Slides. He highlighted that the research group is highly active, with 2 published RFCs, 1 adopted draft, and 6 active individual drafts.

2. Beyond QKD Applications of Near-Term Quantum Networks

Gadasi presented Beyond QKD Applications of near-term Quantum Networks, exploring practical applications of current quantum networking hardware (non-entangled, "now" phase based on BB84 protocols) prior to the development of quantum memories and repeaters.

Core Concepts:
- Using existing QKD-type infrastructure for alternative classical post-processing tasks, bypassing the need for quantum memories.
- Potential applications include coordination games, Byzantine agreement, randomized elections, and position verification.
- Enhancing Multi-Party Computation (MPC) securely via Oblivious Transfer (OT) without relying on public key infrastructure.
Discussion:
- Rodney Van Meter asked whether these applications should be classified by distance scale (e.g., metro, campus, or data center). Gadasi noted that without repeaters, applications are physically limited to ranges under 100 km.
- Dave Plonka noted that Research and Education Networks (RENs) are highly interested in quantum networking but often lack clarity on what near-term setups can achieve without quantum memory.
- Rodney Van Meter suggested that since quantum channels are highly bandwidth-constrained, it is critical to analyze the threshold where the quantum channel itself stops being the primary bottleneck for the underlying computation.
- Diego Lopez advocated for treating QKD devices simply as synchronized sources of random bits, suggesting that the community should define open, standardized interfaces to access this raw resource rather than treating them as monolithic black boxes.

3. Multiplane Architecture

Diego Lopez presented draft-irtf-qirg-qi-multiplane-arch, detailing recent updates to the architectural framework for integrating quantum communications with classical networks.

Core Concepts:
- Introduced the Quantum Unit Identifier (QUI) to serve as a domain-scoped, resource-facing abstraction of the globally unique Service Unit (SU).
- Explicitly defined mappings between the service stratum, control planes, and physical resource layers.
- Updated the draft to include Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, classical Operation and Management (O&M) functions, and references mapping existing literature to the framework.
Poll:
- Question: Have you read the entire (or large chunks of) the multiplane-arch draft?
- Result: yes: 11, no: 8, no_opinion: 1 (total: 76)
Discussion:
- Rodney Van Meter noted that 13 pages were added between the -01 and -02 versions, indicating that the draft is not yet mature enough for a Working Group Last Call (WGLC). He also requested removing or refining the term "forwarding" when describing the quantum fabric layer.
- An anonymous attendee commented that the parameters listed in Section 5.3.4 (Quantum QoS Parameters) are highly useful for network simulator design, but suggested separating them into topology-wide constraints versus per-request parameters.
- Deborah Brungard suggested replacing the term "Optical Transport Networks (OTN)" with a more generic term like "optical networks" to ensure technologies like Passive Optical Networks (PON) are accommodated.

4. Exploring Hybrid Environments to Scale Quantum-Safe Networks

Blanca presented Exploring hybrid environments to scale quantum-safe networks, focusing on the use of synthetic environments to prototype and test quantum network architectures.

Core Concepts:
- Using the QDITO emulation platform to build technology-agnostic, quantum-safe "bridges" between vendor-specific, isolated QKD networks.
- Modeling photon entanglement exchange and quantum memories to simulate future entanglement distribution networks.
- Implementing Quantum Position Verification (QPV) and evaluating algorithms for entanglement verification, purification, and swapping on classical nodes.
Discussion:
- Gadasi asked about the specific simulation capabilities of QDITO. Blanca clarified that the platform is flexible; it uses pluggable protocol modules (e.g., BB84, E91) and exposes a distinct API allowing classical software to interact with simulated nodes as if they were real physical QKD or entanglement hardware.

5. Quantum Native Architecture

Sara Mansouri presented draft-cacciapuoti-qirg-quantum-native-architecture, addressing architectural designs tailored to the unique physical properties of entanglement.

Core Concepts:
- Entanglement is a stateful, volatile, non-local resource that requires a decoupled quantum control plane operating alongside the classical control plane.
- Proposes dual addressing: a classical address mapping the physical network topology, and a quantum address to identify nodes and paths in the dynamic "entanglement graph."
- Introduces the concept of "generalized quantum forwarding" to describe the localized, guided manipulation of entanglement.
Discussion:
- Rodney Van Meter questioned whether "quantum addressing" is intended for multi-party states or pair-based communication. Sara clarified that it is an abstraction allowing the control plane to compactly reason over sets of nodes, paths, or domains in an entanglement-aware way, which can lead to sublinear routing tables.

6. EuroQCI Standardization

Christoph Pacher presented EuroQCI Standardisation, providing an update on European efforts to build a secure quantum communication infrastructure.

Core Concepts:
- EuroQCI combines a terrestrial fiber-based segment with a space-based satellite segment under the Iris² secure communication system.
- Over €200 million has been invested across 19 collaborative projects in 25 EU member states.
- Standardization goals are being pushed by the Harmonic QCI project (a 36-month coordination and support action) focusing on telecom integration, cybersecurity/PQC hybridization, and QKD components.
Discussion:
- Wojciech Kozlowski asked which Standard Development Organizations (SDOs) are currently targeted. Christoph indicated that ETSI has a strong QKD record and remains a focal point, alongside CEN-CENELEC JTC 22 WG4, but noted that other SDOs are being actively explored.
- Ben Roberts raised questions on how the infrastructure will reach long-distance overseas territories. Christoph clarified that satellite links (utilizing multiple planned optical ground stations) are designed specifically to handle these long-range connections where fiber is unviable.
- Rodney Van Meter noted that an IEEE Quantum Sciences Standards workshop would take place at IEEE Quantum Week in Toronto, highlighting growing global industry momentum toward standardization.

7. Quantum Datagram Control Protocol (QDCP)

Nevan and Mitel Misra presented draft-zhu-qirg-qdcp, detailing implementation and protocol updates for transmitting quantum metadata alongside classical datagrams.

Core Concepts:
- QDCP encapsulates non-clonable quantum metadata inside Type-Length-Value (TLV) fields wrapped in standard UDP/IPv4 packets.
- Demonstrated dynamic routing on hardware using Arduino gateways acting as optical switches.
- Introduced a polarization correction TLV carrying three fields: target polarization, duration, and arrival time.
Discussion:
- Wojciech Kozlowski asked how timing synchronization is achieved between the classical IP header and the optical quantum payload. Mitel explained that the sending hardware coordinates the release of both, embedding a predefined processing delay so the intermediate Arduino has enough time to switch the optical path before the quantum signal arrives.
- Rodney Van Meter raised concerns regarding premature optimization of the packet formats (e.g., hard-limiting fields to 8 or 24 bits). He suggested evaluating more flexible, higher-level formats such as JSON, Protocol Buffers, or gRPC, and urged the authors to adopt IPv6.
- An anonymous attendee agreed with using low-level TLVs to facilitate high-speed FPGA processing but recommended making the length field extensible to support varying metadata demands without breaking parser compatibility.

Decisions and Action Items

draft-irtf-qirg-qi-multiplane-arch: The chairs determined that the draft is not yet ready for Working Group Last Call (WGLC) due to the significant volume of recent additions.
- Action Item: Diego Lopez and co-authors to address feedback regarding the "forwarding" terminology, QoS classifications, and optical transport phrasing in a forthcoming -03 revision.
draft-cacciapuoti-qirg-quantum-native-architecture:
- Action Item: Sara Mansouri and co-authors to prepare version -02, focusing on refining definitions of boundaries, clarifying classical signaling roles, and addressing feedback from Rodney Van Meter.
draft-zhu-qirg-qdcp:
- Action Item: Nevan and Mitel Misra to investigate alternative encoding options (e.g., extensible TLVs), implement IPv6 compatibility, and address protocol formatting feedback on the mailing list.

Next Steps

Mailing List: Detailed discussions on the architectural drafts (draft-irtf-qirg-qi-multiplane-arch and draft-cacciapuoti-qirg-quantum-native-architecture) will continue on the mailing list.
Upcoming Meetings: Active work on the individual drafts is expected to produce updates before the next meeting cycles (IETF 127 in San Francisco / IETF 128 in Kuala Lumpur).

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