Quantum computing offers huge opportunities to the research and education (R&E) community as well as to commercial enterprise. Quantum computers have the power to tackle problems far beyond the current reach of classical computing, from simulating complex protein folding and predicting meteorological phenomena to modelling financial systems.
However, quantum computers themselves are expensive, sensitive devices that have extremely limited availability, which currently reduces their effectiveness in addressing these issues. Developments in quantum computing themselves also pose a potential threat to the safety and security of the distributed data these systems are using and generating. Quantum computing potentially undermines the very nature of current encryption and authentication services that users rely upon every minute of every day.
Therefore there are three challenges facing any organisation working in the field of quantum computing:
1. How can quantum computing systems be combined with classical compute services to maximise accessibility and costs?
2. How can these hybrid systems be distributed on a global scale to enable researchers access to the latest quantum computing resources?
3. How can these distributed systems and data be protected in a post-quantum cryptography environment?
Distributed Hybrid Quantum-Classical Computing with PQC/QKD secured links
To this end, research teams from Europe (PSNC, GÉANT, SURF) and the USA (Internet2, ESnet, iCAIR/Northwestern University, StarLight) have come together to demonstrate — as a world first — how both the quantum and classical compute systems can be integrated on a world scale.
The demonstration uses two quantum-classical testbeds in PSNC, Poznan, Poland and the SC24 venue in Atlanta, USA connected over the PIONIER, GÉANT, SURF/NetherLight, NEA3R, ESnet, Internet2, NA-REX, StarLight and SCinet production networking infrastructure – showing how it is possible to use live production networks and services to support hybrid quantum-classical computing systems.
The goal of the demonstration is to present multiple QPU+CPU+GPU hybrid quantum-classical computation integration and use cases. Quantum-classical computing testbed located at remote ends in the PSNC office and live at SC24 will be interconnected with a high-speed dedicated link secured with PQC (Post Quantum Cryptography) and QKD (Quantum Key Distribution) technologies. The data will be transmitted over the trans-Atlantic links supported by the Advanced North Atlantic (ANA) collaboration and encrypted using hybrid PQC, QRNG and QKD solutions that were implemented under the PIONIER-Q project within EuroQCI initiative.
This setup will show how distributed hybrid quantum-classical infrastructures can operate and how, from the computing authentication and security point of view, they can be interconnected using the latest PQC and QKD technologies. PQC algorithms will ensure long-distance link encryption and will be combined with MACSec services and QKD, QRNG technologies.
Such a distributed environment can support a number of use cases from different areas such as chemistry, biology, material science and optimization problems that can benefit from distributed hybrid quantum-classical computing infrastructure. It is widely recognized that the best current solution is to achieve the “quantum utility” stage using existing Quantum Computing infrastructure with ~100 qubit scale.
This demonstration integrates the following resources:
● ORCA PT-1 photonic systems (provided by PSNC)
● Encryptors supporting QKD and MACSec algorithms (provided by ARISTA)
● QKD/QRNG devices (provided by PSNC and IDQuantique and connected with PIONIER-Q project under EuroQCI initiative)
● Transmission services between Europe (Hamburg) and the SC24 venue in Atlanta are being provided by PSNC, GÉANT, SURF/NetherLight, ESnet, Internet2, ICAIR/ Northwestern University, StarLight and the SCinet network at the SC24 venue.
As a joint demonstration of technology and services from multiple organisations this testbed will show how Hybrid Quantum Compute systems are achievable to help support the next generation of advanced research. We are delighted that this project has been accepted as a Network Research Exhibition project at SC24 and will be presented at the NRE Theatre on Thursday, Nov 21st at 12:00 – 12:20.
To view the demo visit PSNC Booth #1149 any time during the SC24 Conference.
Initial Demo Description
Distributed Hybrid Quantum Computing with PQC/QKD secured links.
The goal of the demonstration is to present multiple QPU+CPU+GPU hybrid quantum-classical computation integration and use cases. Quantum-classical computing testbeds located at remote ends – PSNC office and SC24 venue will be interconnected with dedicated classical direct link that on top of is secured with PQC and QKD technology encryption. Over the long distance link the data will be encrypted by PQC algorithm and locally at PSNC office and SC24 venue by short QKD link.
This setup will show how the distributed hybrid quantum-classical infrastructures can work and how from the computing authentication and security point of view it should be interconnected with the latest PQC and QKD technologies. PQC algorithms will ensure long distance link encryption using classical DWDM services and encryption transponders. Locally, as a last mile solution the link can be secured directly by QKD technology and integrated with local network data transmission such as MACSec services.
Such a distributed environment will implement a number of use cases from different areas such as chemistry, biology, material science and optimization problems that can benefit from distributed hybrid quantum-classical computing infrastructure. It is widely recognized that currently it is the best solution to achieve the “quantum utility” stage especially using existing Quantum Computing infrastructure with ~100 qubit scale.
The implementation of the use case and demo will require the following resources:
– ORCA PT-1 systems (provided by PSNC and ORCA computing)
– Encryptors supporting QKD and PQCs algorithms (provided by PSNC)
– QKD devices (provided by PSNC or IDQuantique)
– Transmission services between Europe (Hamburg) and SC24 venue in Atlanta (to be provided by SURF/NetherLight, PSNC, ESnet, Internet2, ANA GÉANT, iCAIR/Northwestern University, StarLight)
– Interconnection with local QKD testbeds (ESNet, Internet2) to build a larger local QKD network at SC24 venue.
Figure 1. SC24 demo topology
Four possibilities were recognised on how an organization can contribute to the SC24 demo:
1. Providing transmission services between Europe (Hamburg) and SC24 venue in Atlanta
2. Providing QKD and/or PQCs encrypted transmission services on the path between Europe and SC24 venue in Atlanta
3. Participating with quantum computing resources connected to the demo topology
4. Participating with a quantum testbed connected to the demo topology.
