  We present two-dimensional hybrid kinetic/magnetohydrodynamic simulations of
planned laser-ablation experiments in the Large Plasma Device (LAPD). Our
results, based on parameters which have been validated in previous experiments,
show that a parallel collisionless shock can begin forming within the available
space. Carbon-debris ions that stream along the magnetic-field direction with a
blow-off speed of four times the Alfven velocity excite strong magnetic
fluctuations, eventually transfering part of their kinetic energy to the
surrounding hydrogen ions. This acceleration and compression of the background
plasma creates a shock front, which satisfies the Rankine-Hugoniot conditions
and can therefore propagate on its own. Furthermore, we analyze the upstream
turbulence and show that it is dominated by the right-hand resonant
instability.
