An intelligent computer network is a computer network in which the network is in control of application creation and operation. Relatively dumb terminal and devices on the network periphery access centralized network services on behalf of their users. The owners of the network are in complete charge of the type and quantity of applications that exist on the network.

An intelligent computer network is most suited for applications in which reliability and security are prime requirements. Application software is centralized and so can be rigorously verified before deployment. This large scale of the network and the ability to verify application operation allows such networks to address very complicated tasks. The costs of development and testing may be spread across many users.

The intelligent computer network architecture is at one extreme of a continuum of network architecture

Network architecture

Network architecture is the design of a communications network. It is a framework for the specification of a network's physical components and their functional organization and configuration, its operational principles and procedures, as well as data formats used in its operation.In...

s. It should be contrasted with the dumb network

Dumb network

A dumb network is marked by using intelligent devices at the periphery that make use of a network that does not interfere with an application’s operation. The dumb network concept is the natural outcome of the end to end principle...

 architecture.

Intelligent computer networks should be distinguished from telecommunication intelligent network

Intelligent network

The Intelligent Network , is the standard network architecture specified in the . It is intended for fixed as well as mobile telecom networks...

s (IN).