Computer Science and
     Software Engineering

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Simulation Research Group

Project Akaroa

The ongoing research project of the Simulation Research Group, known world-wide as Akaroa, is aimed at developing techniques and methodologies for automated distributed simulation, suitable for quickly and reliably carrying out performance evaluation studies of modern multimedia telecommunication networks, by using the distributed computing power of a network of computers.

The group has developed Akaroa2, a novel controller for distributed stochastic simulation, which is currently used by scientists at many universities and research laboratories in all continents. Akaroa represents one of the first applications of the concept of grid processing (distributed processing using multiple workstations).


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In 1993, the first version of Akaroa received an international commendation in the Science category of the Computerworld Smithsonian Award USA, as the first full scale implementation of the concept of grid processing. Its documentation is kept in archives of the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

Akaroa2 is offered as freeware for non-profit research activities at universities. Commercial use requires a license; enquiries should be directed to Prof. Dr. K. Pawlikowski, phone +64 3 364 2987 ext. 7772, email krys@cosc.canterbury.ac.nz.

Research Topics

Possible topics of research projects in the area of quantitative discrete-event simulation, at PhD, Master and Honours level include:

  • new sequential estimators for automated output data analysis during MRIP (Multiple Replications in Parallel) simulation;
  • comparative studies of sequential estimators of mean values during steady-state simulation;
  • sequential estimators of quantiles during steady-state simulation;
  • sequentatial quantitative simulation of rare events;
  • MRIP simulation and Variance Reduction;
  • sequential analysis of heavy-tailed data and/or data from self-similar processes during steady-state simulation;
  • Akaroa2 as an automated controller of distributed quantitative dscrete-event simulation.

Current Members

Prof. Dr. K. Pawlikowski Computer Science and Software Engineering
Dr. D. McNickle Management
Dr. G. Ewing Adjunct fellow, Computer Science and Software Engineering
Dr. Dong Seong Kim Computer Science and Software Engineering

Graduates

Adam Freeth (CSSE)
B.Sc. (Hons) New Method of Detection of Initial Transient in Steady-State Simulation, 2012
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. K. Pawlikowski & Assoc. Prof. Dr. D. McNickle
[PDF: 1651 KB] [Abstract]

Nelson Shaw (CSSE)
B.Sc. (Hons) Fast Automated Estimation of Variance in Discrete Quantitative Stochastic Simulation, 2010
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. K. Pawlikowski & Assoc. Prof. Dr. D. McNickle
[PDF: 1842 KB] [Abstract]

Adriaan Schmidt (CSSE)
M.Sc. Automated Analysis of Variance in Quantitative Simulation by means of Multiple Replications in Parallel.
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. K. Pawlikowski & Assoc. Prof. Dr. D. McNickle
[PDF: 369 KB]

Mirko Eickhoff (CSSE)
Ph.D. Sequential Analysis of Quantiles and Probability Distributions by Replicated Simulations, 2008
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. K. Pawlikowski & Assoc, Prof. Dr. D. McNickle
[PDF: 3157 Kb] [Abstract]

Daphne Chao (CSSE)
M.Sc. MDRIP: A Hybrid Approach to Parallelisation of Discrete Event Simulation, 2006
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. K. Pawlikowski & Assoc. Prof. Dr. D. McNickle
[PDF: 1247 Kb] [Abstract]

Behshid Ghorbani (CSSE)
M.Sc. Initial Transient Phase of Steady State Simulation: Methods of Its Length Detection and Their Implementation in Akaroa2, 2005
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. K. Pawlikowski & Assoc. Prof. Dr. D. McNickle
[PDF: 2731 Kb] [Abstract]

Joshua Jeong (CSSE)
Ph.D. Modelling of Self-similar Teletraffic for Simulation, 2003
Supervisors: Prof. Dr K. Pawlikowski & Assoc. Prof Dr D. McNickle
[PDF: 5592 Kb] [Abstract]

Ruth Lee (CSSE)
Ph.D. Automated Sequential Steady-State Simulation, 2001
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. K. Pawlikowski & Assoc. Prof. Dr. D. McNickle
[PDF: 1481 Kb] [Abstract]

Lorraine de Vere B.Sc (Hons), Computer Science, 1993

Chris Stacey B.Sc. (Hons), Computer Science, 1993

Victor Yau Ph.D., Computer Science, 1991-1996

Other Former Members

Dr. Lugher Bishofs Postdoctoral Fellow from the German Research Foundation, Germany, 2011-2013
Bo Li CSSE, M.Sc. student, research assistant, 2010-2012
Yumi Masuri Research assistant, 2009-2010
William E. Gittoes CSSE, B.Sc. (Hons), research assistant, 2009-2011
Kamarulzaman Kamarudin Mechatronics Engineering, UC summer scholarship, 2009-2010
Constantin Naghi CSSE summer scholarship, 2009
Farzana Yasmeen Ph.D. exchange student, Computer Science, 2008
Marcus Schoo Summer scholarship student, Computer Science, 2006
Peter Smith CSSE, B.Sc. (Hons), research assistant

Notices