Special Issue Proposal for Simulation JournalTopic: Agent-based Modeling and Simulation of Complex Adaptive Communication Networks and Environments (CACOONS) Guest Editors: Muaz Niazi ([email protected])Amir Hussain [email protected] Affiliation:*Institute of Computing Science and Mathematics,School of Natural SciencesUniversity of Stirling,Scotland, UK IntroductionComplex Adaptive Systems (cas) are a special classification of complex systems with a large number of simple components interacting in a nonlinear fashion resulting in specialized adaptive behavior. Due to recent rapid advancements in Communication technology, today’s Communication networks such as those formed by wireless sensor, ad-hoc, Peer-Peer (P2P),  multiagent, nano-Communication and mobile robot communication networks, are  all expected to grow larger and more complex than ever previously anticipated. Thus, these networks, at times, can possibly give rise to complex global behaviors similar to cas encountered in the life sciences. Thus, network designers can, at times, expect to observe unprecedented global patterns termed as emergence, a term eliciting the fact that the effects of these phenomena cannot be easily traced back to the individual components. Such patterns can be important to understand since, at times, they can have considerable effect on various aspects in a communication network such as unanticipated traffic congestion, unprecedented increase in communication cost or perhaps a complete network/grid shutdown as a result of emergent behavior. Some well-known examples include the emergence of cascading faults in Message Queue-based Financial transactions after New Year holidays, recent cascading failures reported in the Amazon.com cloud, effects of viral and worm infections in large networks, effects of torrent and other complex traffic in ISP and corporate networks, multi-player gaming and other similar P2P traffic in company intranets, self-organization and self-assembly related effects in sensor and robotic networks.Because of the ease and flexibility associated with agent-based modeling and simulation in assisting the conceptualizing of complex phenomena, agent-based modeling paradigm can prove to be an effective tool for exploring application case studies, testing of new communication protocols, exploring large-scale networks for possible problems before deployment or improvement of existing algorithms and hardware.In the past, the prevalence of a wide variety of network simulation tools such as NS2, NS3, OPNET, OMNET++ etc. demonstrates the vibrant simulation culture prevalent in communication networks. Although Agent-based modeling and simulation has been used extensively in social, biological, ecological and other domains, recently it has been demonstrated to offer a much shorter learning curve (ranging from a few hours to a few days) as well as having the capability of assisting Communication researchers, engineers and practitioners in developing effective models of various types of Complex Adaptive Communication networks such as those discussed above.The goal of this special issue is to solicit state-of-the-art papers, not submitted elsewhere for review, focused on using agent-based modeling and simulation for theoretical frameworks, application case studies as well as novel communication models of CACOONS. Suggested topics include but are not limited to:Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks (Routing, data aggregation, fusion, energy consumption and any other issues)Complex environments surrounding sensors and mobile robotsMobile and swarm robotic networksNano-Communication networksMobile ad-hoc networksP2P networks (Structured and Unstructured etc.)Engineered self-organization for Green computing in networksPlanning and management of home and corporate (Wired/Wireless) NetworksModeling and Simulation of Multiagent Systems (including Mobile agents, Learning and Communicating agents etc.)Effects of cooperative, competitive agents and peers on networksGame theoretical approaches in communication networksFault-tolerant and self-healing large scale networksEmergent effects of security and trust policies in large scale networkUse of agent-based modeling for or in conjunction with network emulationService Oriented Architectures, Semantic web, use of XML/SOAP,  etc.Client Server, three tier and n-tiered architecturesPervasive Communication networks, for example, those using Mobile Devices, RFIDs and othersSimulation of Internet and Intranet scale networksComplex Network analysis itself or else combined with agent-based modeling for classifying or Modeling and Simulation of large networks (including measures of Degree, eccentricity and other Centralities, Clustering Coefficients, Matching indices etc.) of NetworksInternet based Social Networking (including the use of Social Network Analysis)Coupling Formal Specification Models with agent-based modeling of Communication Networks (using frameworks such as DEVS, FABS etc.)Verification, Validation and Accreditation of network simulation modelsSignaling and Communication Networks inside living beings (cells, animals, plants etc.) or between living or intelligent beingsModeling Communication Networks as Social Simulation problemsCritical Comparative Reviews of studies using traditional Network Simulators and agent-based modelingUse of agent-based, multiagent tools and toolkits (NetLogo, Repast, Mason, Jade etc.) for modeling of communication networksFull papers, describing original, previously unpublished research work, reviews, experimental efforts and practical experiences are solicited. The due dates given below are firm and must be observed in order to ensure timely reviews and, in the event of acceptance, inclusion of a paper in the special issue.Instructions for Manuscript PreparationFor manuscript formatting and other guidelines, please visit the Author Guidelines for SIMULATION.LinksSubmission System: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/simulationAuthorGuidelines: http://scs.org/?q=node/92Submissions for Full Paper ReviewAll manuscripts must be submitted electronically through the paper submission system to the SIMULATION Manuscript Submission System. In your cover letter author(s) must specifically mark that the paper is intended for this special issue as follows: “Submission for the Special Issue of Simulation: Modeling and Simulation of Complex Adaptive Communication Networks and Environments.”Note: Manuscripts must not have been previously published or be submitted for publication elsewhere. Each submitted manuscript must include title, names, authors’ affiliations, postal and e-mail addresses, an extended paper, and a list of keywords. For multiple author submission, please identify the corresponding author.Due DatesFull Papers DueFebruary 1, 2012Notification of AcceptanceJune 30, 2012Minor Revisions DueJuly 31, 2012Major Revisions & Final Papers DueSeptember 30, 2012Publication ExpectedSpring 2013 Final paper submissionsEach final submission must be prepared based on the Simulation journal requirements (see Author Guidelines for SIMULATION page).