Multi-Dimensional Resource Allocation in QKD-Enabled Cross-Domain Data Center Interconnection Networks

In recent years, cloud computing and edge computing have flourished, establishing data centers as pivotal hubs for information exchange. However, the security for the interconnection of these data centers faces increasingly severe challenges. Traditional cryptographic techniques face potential risks of being compromised under the threat of quantum computing, whereas quantum key distribution (QKD), which possesses information-theoretic security, provides an effective foundation for secure data center interconnection. This paper focuses on the QKD-enabled cross-domain data center interconnection network, delving into the multi-dimensional resource (i.e., computing, wavelength, and key resources) allocation problem. By constructing a QKD-enabled cross-domain data center interconnection network model, it integrates key resources with traditional computing and wavelength resources, forming a multi-dimensional resource allocation framework. Furthermore, we design two heuristic algorithms, i.e., the local balancing factor-based multi-dimensional resource allocation (LBF-MDRA) and the global balancing factor-based multi-dimensional resource allocation (GBF-MDRA) algorithms, which rationally perform virtual network function (VNF) node selection and efficiently allocate multi-dimensional resources. Simulation results indicate that the LBF-MDRA and GBF-MDRA algorithms can increase the success probability of cross-domain service requests by 24.53% and 30.91% compared to the benchmark algorithm, respectively.