Q2NS Demo: A Quantum Network Simulator Based on ns-3

2026-04-02

AI Summary

This work addresses the lack of efficient open-source tools for co-simulating quantum network dynamics and classical signaling. To bridge this gap, the authors present Q2NS, an open-source quantum network simulator built upon the ns-3 framework, which enables integrated quantum-classical simulation for the first time within ns-3. Q2NS features a modular architecture that supports multiple pluggable quantum state backends—including state vector, density matrix, and stabilizer formalisms—and cleanly separates control logic from quantum operations. Complementing the simulator, the interactive visualization tool Q2NSViz allows intuitive analysis of entanglement distribution and protocol behavior without requiring specialized expertise. Experimental results demonstrate Q2NS’s capability and usability across a range of scenarios, from basic entanglement distribution to complex multipartite graph-state manipulation.

Abstract

Q2NS is an open-source quantum network simulator built on ns-3, the de facto standard for classical network simulation. By inheriting ns-3's mature classical stack and event-driven execution model, Q2NS enables faithful co-simulation of quantum-network dynamics and classical signaling, a core requirement for the functioning of any quantum network. Its modular architecture is designed for extensibility, with pluggable quantum-state backends (state-vector, density matrix, stabilizer) and a clean separation between network control and node-level operations. Q2NS comes with a quantum network visualizer Q2NSViz, supporting interactive inspection of both physical- and entanglement-induced connectivity graphs, helping users interpret protocol behavior and entanglement manipulation processes. We present a demonstration of Q2NS, highlighting its ability to capture and simulate the coexistence of quantum and classical communication. The proposed demonstration presents quantum communication scenarios of increasing complexity: from entanglement distribution basics to multipartite graph-state manipulation, complemented by pre-loaded examples in Q2NSViz that require no prior quantum communication or coding experience.

Problem

• quantum network simulation
• classical-quantum co-simulation
• entanglement distribution
• network simulator
• quantum-classical integration

Innovation

• quantum network simulation
• ns-3 integration
• co-simulation
• modular architecture
• entanglement visualization