Transport Layer Protocols for the Secoqc Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Network

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is an alternative key distribution technique that, unlike the classical approaches, can provide unconditionally secure keys for data communications over public communication networks. The European project Secoqc (secure communication based on quantum cryptography) aims at developing a global network for unconditionally secure key distribution. This paper specifies the major elements of the transport layer protocols of the Secoqc QKD network.