The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for implementing network cognition. The method includes: determining a type of a received network task; according to the type of the received network task, selecting at least one cognitive capability identifier corresponding to the type of the network task; using network devices with the at least one cognitive capability identifier as alternative network devices; determining an alternative network device that is among the alternative network devices and has a cognitive capability that meets a condition for performing the network task is a target network device; and controlling the target network device to perform the network task.