A network device role self-adaptive method and apparatus are provided. Specifically, a first network device and a neighbor network device both determine their respective priority according to information including a connection result between the corresponding network device itself and a server; the first network device receives a second start frame which is sent by the neighbor network device and comprises the priority of the neighbor network device, and then determines whether its own priority and the priority of the neighbor network device meet preset conditions; and if yes, when the priority of the first network device is higher than the priority of the neighbor network device, the first network device determines its own role as an authentication access controller, and when the priority of the first network device is lower than the priority of the neighbor network device, the first network device determines its own role as a request device.