An Enhanced Virtualized Control and Key Management Model for QKD Networks

Abstract

The advent of softwarization and disaggregated architectures has transformed modern communication networks, sparking innovation by separating network functionalities from the underlying hardware. Fol- lowing this trend, in future quantum networks, the virtualization and softwarization of critical compo- nents will be essential to achieve global interoperability and enhance adaptability. Virtualization allows for the abstraction of hardware resources, making it easier to manage and scale networks dynamically, while softwarization promotes flexibility, reconfigurability, and interoperability by enabling the use of stan- dardized, software-defined protocols that can be easily updated and modified to work across diverse and evolving network environments. In this paper, we introduce and examine an operational model for QKD networks that leverages the virtualization of control and key management functionalities. We detail its el- ements and procedures to optimize QKD services. The design paves the way for the integration of quan- tum networks with functions already established in modern mobile networks while adhering to estab- lished QKD network standards. The proposed operational model has been validated at the 5G Telefonica Open Network Innovation Centre (5TONIC) using an environment that deploys digital twins of QKD net- works.