Distributed hybrid quantum-classical computing in a post-quantum cryptography world

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 testbeds 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.

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 optimisation problems that can benefit from distributed hybrid quantum-classical computing infrastructure. It is widely recognised 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).
• 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, 21 November at 12:00 - 12:20.

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 optimisation problems that can benefit from distributed hybrid quantum-classical computing infrastructure. It is widely recognised 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.

Four possibilities were recognised on how an organisation 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.

Partner contributions

• ESnet
  • ESnet will build Layer2 paths (OSCARS service) as needed to build out connection from PSNC to the SC24 venue in Atlanta, Georgia, USA to support this demonstration. ESnet has multiple peering points with GÉANT and Internet2 which can be utilised for this purpose. In addition, ESnet network connections will be extended into the SC24 SCinet operations centre for use by exhibitors and demonstrations.
• GÉANT
  • GÉANT will build a GÉANT Plus circuit from Poznan (PIONIER AP1) over the GÉANT backbone to London where it will be passed over to ESNET GÉANT Open port and over to ESNET USA. We will be using VLAN ID 2710/2711.
• ICAIR/ Northwestern University
  • We are working with SCinet to provision 2.8 Tbps to the StarLight booth at the venue.
• Internet2
  • Internet2 will build transatlantic circuits via its partners (SURF/NetherLight, GÉANT and ESnet) and provide domestic capacity (100G and 400G); it has multiple points of presence (notably east coast exchange points) and capacity (100G and 400G) which can facilitate this demo. Raw flow data can be provided from our exchange-point infrastructure. Our infrastructure is directly extended into the show floor at SC for both traditional IP+VLAN, VLANS, and optical circuits.
• PSNC
  • Will provide the equipment QKD + encryptors + KMS.
  • Will setup the computing scenario that uses the connectivity services.
  • Will configure the KMS services and the infrastructure.
• SURF/NetherLight will support international connectivity with partners
  • Poznan-Hamburg-Amsterdam-Montreal-Chicago-Atlanta (PSNC/SURF/NetherLight/Canarie/StarLight/Internet2/…)
  • Poznan-Hamburg-Amsterdam-Paris-Washington-Atlanta (PSNC/SURF/NetherLight/GÉANT/Internet2/…)
  • Poznan-Hamburg-Amsterdam-NYC-Atlanta (PSNC/SURF/NetherLight/IU/Internet2/…)
  • Poznan-Hamburg-Amsterdam-Boston-Atlanta (PSNC/SURF-NetherLight/ESnet/…)

This demonstration could not be possible without the invaluable contribution of the partners providing time, resources and skills to the project.

	The Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) is a high-performance, unclassified network built to support and facilitate large-scale scientific research across America and around the world. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science and managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, ESnet connects DOE’s national laboratory system, supercomputing facilities, and major scientific instruments, as well as peers with more than 270 R&E and commercial networks for global collaboration on the world’s biggest scientific challenges. ESnet’s vision is that scientific progress will be completely unconstrained by the physical location of instruments, people, computational resources, or data.
	GÉANT is Europe’s leading collaboration on network and related infrastructure and services for the benefit of research and education, contributing to Europe's economic growth and competitiveness. The organisation develops, delivers and promotes advanced network and associated e-infrastructure services, and supports innovation and knowledge-sharing amongst its members, partners and the wider research and education networking community.
	Internet2® is a nonprofit, member-driven advanced technology community founded by U.S. leading higher education institutions in 1996. Internet2 delivers a diverse portfolio of technology solutions that leverages, integrates, and amplifies the strengths of its members and helps support their educational, research, and community service missions. Internet2’s core infrastructure components include the largest and fastest research and education network in the U.S. that was built to deliver advanced, customised services that are accessed and secured by the community-developed trust and identity framework.
	NetherLight, the Dutch Global Exchange Point (GXP) dedicated for R&E data in Amsterdam connects similar GXPs and high-quality networks for scientific and educational collaboration. The NetherLight GXP, run by SURF, plays a major and vital role in the federation of R&E networks worldwide, the Global Research and Education Network (GREN).
	Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center (PSNC) is an internationally known node of the European Research Area in the field of IT infrastructure of science and an important R&D centre in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT). As a development centre of e-Infrastructure, PSNC designed and built the Metropolitan Network POZMAN, High Performance Computing Center and the national broadband network PIONIER. PSNC is active in the area of quantum technologies - quantum computing and communication.
	The StarLight International/National Communications Exchange Facility, designed by researchers, for researchers, is an open exchange facility that provides connectivity among multiple key science sites – nationally, internationally, regionally, and locally. The StarLight facility is managed by a multi-organisational partnership that focuses on research, development, and deployment of services, architectures, and technologies designed to provide scientists, engineers, and educators with highly advanced, diverse, reliable, persistent, and secure networking services, enabling them to optimally access resources around the world. The StarLight facility has implemented a wide variety of specialised architectures, processes, techniques, and technologies to support the requirements of global data-intensive science research, including connections for specialised E2E channels for research communities. StarLight has also implemented procedures to ensure that new innovations are continuously pipelined from experimental facilities and prototypes to production services.
	SURF is a non-profit Dutch cooperative R&E network offering advanced and innovative IT infrastructure to its members, including high-speed internet, HPC, data processing and storage, aiming to facilitate top-tier research and education through cutting-edge technology.