To implement the quantum cryptography in ns3 needs to encompass to emulate the quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols. While the ns3 usually concentrate on classical network simulation, we will also emulate the effects of quantum cryptography by integrating the secure key exchange and encryption mechanisms inspired by QKD.
This is the instance to offer the simple framework to emulate the secure communication using the QKD-like approach.
Step-by-Step Implementation
Step 1: Set Up the ns3 Environment
Make certain ns3 is installed in the system.
Step 2: Define the Network Topology
Generate a network topology that contains nodes that denotes quantum cryptography-enabled devices.
#include “ns3/core-module.h”
#include “ns3/network-module.h”
#include “ns3/internet-module.h”
#include “ns3/point-to-point-module.h”
#include “ns3/applications-module.h”
using namespace ns3;
NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE (“QuantumCryptographyExample”);
int main (int argc, char *argv[]) {
CommandLine cmd;
cmd.Parse (argc, argv);
// Create nodes
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create (3); // Nodes for sender, receiver, and possibly an eavesdropper
// Create point-to-point links
PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;
pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“5Mbps”));
pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute (“Delay”, StringValue (“2ms”));
NetDeviceContainer devices;
devices.Add (pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (nodes.Get (0), nodes.Get (1))));
devices.Add (pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (nodes.Get (1), nodes.Get (2))));
// Install Internet stack
InternetStackHelper stack;
stack.Install (nodes);
// Assign IP addresses
Ipv4AddressHelper address;
address.SetBase (“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);
Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign (devices);
// Create and configure applications…
Simulator::Run ();
Simulator::Destroy ();
return 0;
}
Step 3: Simulate Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Protocol
Generate applications to simulate the QKD protocol between nodes.
Sender Application:
class QuantumSenderApplication : public Application {
public:
QuantumSenderApplication () : m_socket (0) {}
virtual ~QuantumSenderApplication () {}
protected:
virtual void StartApplication () {
m_socket = Socket::CreateSocket (GetNode (), UdpSocketFactory::GetTypeId ());
InetSocketAddress local = InetSocketAddress (Ipv4Address::GetAny (), 8080);
m_socket->Bind (local);
m_socket->SetRecvCallback (MakeCallback (&QuantumSenderApplication::HandleRead, this));
Simulator::Schedule (Seconds (2.0), &QuantumSenderApplication::SendQuantumKey, this);
}
virtual void StopApplication () {
if (m_socket) {
m_socket->Close ();
m_socket = 0;
}
}
private:
void SendQuantumKey () {
// Simulate quantum key distribution
std::string quantumKey = “secure-quantum-key”;
Ptr<Packet> packet = Create<Packet> ((uint8_t*)quantumKey.c_str (), quantumKey.size ());
m_socket->SendTo (packet, 0, InetSocketAddress (Ipv4Address (“10.1.1.2”), 8080)); // Receiver’s address
Simulator::Schedule (Seconds (5.0), &QuantumSenderApplication::SendQuantumKey, this);
}
void HandleRead (Ptr<Socket> socket) {
Ptr<Packet> packet;
Address from;
while ((packet = socket->RecvFrom (from))) {
NS_LOG_INFO (“Sender received: ” << packet->GetSize ());
}
}
Ptr<Socket> m_socket;
};
Receiver Application:
class QuantumReceiverApplication : public Application {
public:
QuantumReceiverApplication () : m_socket (0) {}
virtual ~QuantumReceiverApplication () {}
protected:
virtual void StartApplication () {
m_socket = Socket::CreateSocket (GetNode (), UdpSocketFactory::GetTypeId ());
InetSocketAddress local = InetSocketAddress (Ipv4Address::GetAny (), 8080);
m_socket->Bind (local);
m_socket->SetRecvCallback (MakeCallback (&QuantumReceiverApplication::HandleRead, this));
}
virtual void StopApplication () {
if (m_socket) {
m_socket->Close ();
m_socket = 0;
}
}
private:
void HandleRead (Ptr<Socket> socket) {
Ptr<Packet> packet;
Address from;
while ((packet = socket->RecvFrom (from))) {
std::string data = std::string ((char*) packet->PeekData ());
NS_LOG_INFO (“Receiver received quantum key: ” << data);
// Simulate key verification and secure communication
std::string secureMessage = “secure-message”;
Ptr<Packet> responsePacket = Create<Packet> ((uint8_t*)secureMessage.c_str (), secureMessage.size ());
m_socket->SendTo (responsePacket, 0, InetSocketAddress (InetSocketAddress::ConvertFrom (from).GetIpv4 (), 8080));
}
}
Ptr<Socket> m_socket;
};
Step 4: Deploy Applications
Instantiate and deploy the applications on the appropriate nodes in your network:
int main (int argc, char *argv[]) {
CommandLine cmd;
cmd.Parse (argc, argv);
// Create nodes
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create (3); // Nodes for sender, receiver, and possibly an eavesdropper
// Create point-to-point links
PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;
pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“5Mbps”));
pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute (“Delay”, StringValue (“2ms”));
NetDeviceContainer devices;
devices.Add (pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (nodes.Get (0), nodes.Get (1))));
devices.Add (pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (nodes.Get (1), nodes.Get (2))));
// Install Internet stack
InternetStackHelper stack;
stack.Install (nodes);
// Assign IP addresses
Ipv4AddressHelper address;
address.SetBase (“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);
Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign (devices);
// Create and configure the Quantum Sender application
Ptr<QuantumSenderApplication> senderApp = CreateObject<QuantumSenderApplication> ();
nodes.Get (0)->AddApplication (senderApp);
senderApp->SetStartTime (Seconds (1.0));
senderApp->SetStopTime (Seconds (20.0));
// Create and configure the Quantum Receiver application
Ptr<QuantumReceiverApplication> receiverApp = CreateObject<QuantumReceiverApplication> ();
nodes.Get (1)->AddApplication (receiverApp);
receiverApp->SetStartTime (Seconds (1.0));
receiverApp->SetStopTime (Seconds (20.0));
Simulator::Run ();
Simulator::Destroy ();
return 0;
}
Step 5: Simulate an Eavesdropper
To test the security mechanisms, simulate an eavesdropper node that tries to intercept the quantum key exchange.
Eavesdropper Application:
class EavesdropperApplication : public Application {
public:
EavesdropperApplication () : m_socket (0) {}
virtual ~EavesdropperApplication () {}
protected:
virtual void StartApplication () {
m_socket = Socket::CreateSocket (GetNode (), UdpSocketFactory::GetTypeId ());
InetSocketAddress local = InetSocketAddress (Ipv4Address::GetAny (), 8080);
m_socket->Bind (local);
m_socket->SetRecvCallback (MakeCallback (&EavesdropperApplication::HandleRead, this));
}
virtual void StopApplication () {
if (m_socket) {
m_socket->Close ();
m_socket = 0;
}
}
private:
void HandleRead (Ptr<Socket> socket) {
Ptr<Packet> packet;
Address from;
while ((packet = socket->RecvFrom (from))) {
NS_LOG_WARN (“Eavesdropper intercepted: ” << packet->GetSize ());
}
}
Ptr<Socket> m_socket;
};
int main (int argc, char *argv[]) {
CommandLine cmd;
cmd.Parse (argc, argv);
// Create nodes
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create (3); // Nodes for sender, receiver, and eavesdropper
// Create point-to-point links
PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;
pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“5Mbps”));
pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute (“Delay”, StringValue (“2ms”));
NetDeviceContainer devices;
devices.Add (pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (nodes.Get (0), nodes.Get (1))));
devices.Add (pointToPoint.Install (NodeContainer (nodes.Get (1), nodes.Get (2))));
// Install Internet stack
InternetStackHelper stack;
stack.Install (nodes);
// Assign IP addresses
Ipv4AddressHelper address;
address.SetBase (“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);
Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign (devices);
// Create and configure the Quantum Sender application
Ptr<QuantumSenderApplication> senderApp = CreateObject<QuantumSenderApplication> ();
nodes.Get (0)->AddApplication (senderApp);
senderApp->SetStartTime (Seconds (1.0));
senderApp->SetStopTime (Seconds (20.0));
// Create and configure the Quantum Receiver application
Ptr<QuantumReceiverApplication> receiverApp = CreateObject<QuantumReceiverApplication> ();
nodes.Get (1)->AddApplication (receiverApp);
receiverApp->SetStartTime (Seconds (1.0));
receiverApp->SetStopTime (Seconds (20.0));
// Create and configure the Eavesdropper application
Ptr<EavesdropperApplication> eavesdropperApp = CreateObject<EavesdropperApplication> ();
nodes.Get (2)->AddApplication (eavesdropperApp);
eavesdropperApp->SetStartTime (Seconds (1.0));
eavesdropperApp->SetStopTime (Seconds (20.0));
Simulator::Run ();
Simulator::Destroy ();
return 0;
}
As we discussed earlier about how the quantum cryptography will perform in ns3 implementation tool and we help to provide further implementation guidance and information about how the quantum cryptography will adapt in diverse Scenarios.