Quantum Key Distribution: An Optimization Approach for the Management Plane

As the number of attacks increases in optical networks, security at the management layer (ML) of these networks is of paramount importance to ensure that critical network management information is securely transmitted between ML node(s) and the rest of the network nodes. This work considers the problem of developing a quantum key distribution (QKD) framework for the management layer of an optical network, so that a set of management nodes can securely communicate and exchange keys with the network nodes. An integer linear program (ILP) is formulated for the design of a management layer - quantum key distribution (ML-QKD) network, aiming to maximize the transmission rates provided to network and management nodes, by optimally selecting the placement of the management node(s) and QKD systems. Performance results for several scenarios with a different number of available management nodes and QKD systems, demonstrate that the proposed formulation can design an optimal ML-QKD network.