Researchers from Cisco indicate that significant initiatives are currently in progress to create functional quantum networks and data centers.

Cisco Research recently organized its Quantum Summit 2024, bringing together industry experts to delve into the ongoing advancements related to various quantum aspects, particularly networking and security. However, the spotlight was primarily on the research pertaining to quantum data centers.

The quantum data center envisioned by Cisco is designed to handle multiple quantum circuits, feature adaptable network connections, and implement diverse protocols for entanglement generation, as detailed by Reza Nejabati, who leads quantum research at Cisco’s advanced development group, Outshift, during a presentation at the event.

“It is widely accepted in academic circles that merely scaling quantum computing to millions of qubits is not viable; practicality must be considered,” Nejabati stated.

“With the current advancements in technology, it seems more feasible to create a collection of smaller quantum computers. This essentially leads to the concept of a quantum data center—where we establish a network connecting a significant number of smaller processors within a controlled space, the data center environment, and offer these as a service to a broader user base. That encapsulates the fundamental idea of a quantum data center,” Nejabati explained.

Earlier this year, Cisco revealed its vision for quantum data centers, suggesting the use of traditional LAN models and fiber connections to link together quantum computers, or alternatively, a quantum network that efficiently transmits quantum bits (qubits) from dedicated quantum servers at high speeds, suitable for commercial applications.

“Simultaneously, the goal is to enable the connection of quantum sensors, allowing integration with IoT and various other sensor devices through a network. This approach not only enhances sensing capabilities and precision but also facilitates distributed sensing across a wider coverage area,” Nejabati noted.

The intention is to spare customers from the need to implement an entirely new network infrastructure for these operations; instead, leveraging the existing fiber infrastructure for quantum entanglement is deemed preferable. Control and management systems would then be incorporated on top of that,” Nejabati added.

In the realm of networking, management, and control, Cisco is creating a pioneering quantum entanglement network fabric known as QFabric. This innovation will serve as the foundation for a quantum switch, ensuring the effective functioning of quantum entanglement between a quantum computer and sensor interconnect, as noted by Nejabati. The switch is designed to facilitate non-blocking switching of entangled photons from any input ports to any output ports and supports a variety of entanglement modes. It will also provide ultra-low loss and time jitter port-to-port switching, which is crucial for maintaining connectivity.

“Our ultimate goal is to accommodate a large number of users within a scalable, multi-tenant environment utilizing this dynamically switched quantum network,” Nejabati remarked.

Beyond its networking capabilities, QFabric will serve as the framework needed to guarantee quantum-safe networking. For instance, it is ideally suited for scalable key distribution.

“We are in the process of developing a platform that enables the creation of a hybrid key management and distribution system that integrates post-quantum cryptography (PQC) with quantum key distribution (QKD),” Nejabati explained. “Additionally, every security solution depends on a random number generator, and it is vital for cryptography to have a perfect random number generator. At Cisco, we have developed our own proprietary quantum random number generator.”

PQC incorporates intricate cryptographic algorithms designed to safeguard against advanced attacks from quantum computers.

“PQC will be implemented in browsers, operating systems, and various libraries, while innovators will explore its integration into protocols like SSL/TLS 1.3 that govern traditional cryptography,” Cisco indicated. “Enterprises will gradually adopt PQC as they work to secure their data in a post-quantum environment.”

The necessity for robust security measures is increasingly urgent due to worries that malicious entities are already leveraging attack methods in anticipation of the capabilities that quantum computers may possess in the future.

In addition to their efforts on the quantum network framework, Cisco is creating a software solution that outlines optimal methods for entanglement, distribution efforts, protocols, and routing algorithms. This initiative is being developed into a comprehensive protocol stack and compiler known as Quantum Orchestra.

“We are in the process of developing a network-aware quantum orchestrator, a comprehensive framework that takes quantum tasks defined as quantum circuits, alongside the network topology detailing the distribution of various quantum devices,” explained Hassan Shapourian, Technical Leader at Cisco Outshift. “This orchestrator will allow us to adapt a circuit to enhance its distribution capabilities. Additionally, we will determine which logical quantum variational circuit (QVC) to allocate to each quantum device and establish the communication pathways between the devices within a rack.”

“Subsequently, we will need to plan a series of switch configurations to facilitate end-to-end entanglement generation, ensuring effective connectivity. This process encompasses both routing and resource management, as we aim to share resources efficiently. Ultimately, our objective is to reduce execution time or limit switching events, producing a comprehensive set of instructions for the switches,” Shapourian noted.

Shapourian mentioned that much of Cisco’s initial efforts with the Orchestrator have involved simulations to examine the interplay of multi-tenancy and other functionalities, like transmitting data through multiple quantum routes rather than traditional point-to-point connections. A research paper detailing these findings is expected to be published later this year.

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