Cisco Systems has unveiled new software designed to enable quantum computers to work together across networks, the company said, as part of efforts to advance applications in both quantum and classical computing.
The software includes a network-aware compiler that allows quantum algorithms to be executed across multiple processors, a security application for detecting eavesdropping, and a decision coordination tool using quantum entanglement for distributed operations.
All three applications operate on a unified quantum networking software stack that manages connectivity between processors and supports a range of quantum networking functions.
Cisco said the Quantum Compiler is the first of its kind to support distributed quantum error correction and to consider network requirements between quantum processors. The company added that the software is compatible with different types of quantum computing platforms, including superconducting, trapped ion and photonic systems.
According to Cisco, the software is intended to help organisations determine how many quantum nodes are required and which computing technologies are most suitable for various parts of complex algorithms. Applications include drug discovery simulations for pharmaceutical companies and financial simulations requiring diverse computational resources, the company said.
The Quantum Alert application uses quantum physics to detect unauthorised access to network traffic. Cisco said any attempt to intercept entangled photons triggers an alarm, providing an additional layer of security alongside existing encryption standards.
Quantum Sync is a decision coordination tool that leverages quantum entanglement so distributed systems can make correlated decisions without exchanging messages, which Cisco highlighted as relevant for high-frequency trading and other time-sensitive operations.
Cisco said it plans to demonstrate the software at its virtual Quantum Summit on September 30 and October 1, with the Quantum Compiler prototype available for download. The company said the event will provide technical details and allow participants to explore quantum networking technologies.
The release follows Cisco’s announcement of a quantum network entanglement chip capable of generating more than 200 million entangled photon pairs per second. The company said its approach aims to replicate the full-stack model used in classical networking, building from hardware through software to applications.
Cisco said the software is part of its broader strategy to create a scalable and interoperable quantum computing ecosystem that can link multiple processors in a quantum data centre, and support both research and commercial use cases.
