FRAME SEARCH PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD

A frame search processing apparatus includes a frame information extraction unit (1) that extracts frame information from an input frame, a search processing unit (2) that compares the frame information with entry information, and a frame information output control unit (3) that controls output of the frame information to the search processing unit (2). The search processing unit (2) includes a plurality of comparison units that read out N pieces of entry information from a search table, and perform comparison between the entry information and the frame information at once. The frame information output control unit (3) includes a frame information buffer that accumulates the frame information, and an output processing unit that, when triggered by a predetermined accumulation count of the frame information or an elapse of a predetermined accumulation time of the frame information, distributes a plurality of pieces of frame information accumulated in the frame information buffer to the comparison units of the search processing unit (2) one by one.