  In order to bring quantum networks into the real world, we would like to
determine the requirements of quantum network protocols including the
underlying quantum hardware. Because detailed architecture proposals are
generally too complex for mathematical analysis, it is natural to employ
numerical simulation. Here we introduce NetSquid, the NETwork Simulator for
QUantum Information using Discrete events, a discrete-event based platform for
simulating all aspects of quantum networks and modular quantum computing
systems, ranging from the physical layer and its control plane up to the
application level. We study several use cases to showcase NetSquid's power,
including detailed physical layer simulations of repeater chains based on
nitrogen vacancy centres in diamond as well as atomic ensembles. We also study
the control plane of a quantum switch beyond its analytically known regime, and
showcase NetSquid's ability to investigate large networks by simulating
entanglement distribution over a chain of up to one thousand nodes.

Quantum Physics