Method for implementing actions based on packet classification and lookup results

A method and apparatus are provided for implementing predefined actions based upon packet classification and lookup results in a communications network processor. A plurality of sets of rules is defined. Each rule set includes at least one rule and each rule has a set of masked compares for comparing results of hits and misses of table lookups. Each masked compare set has an associated field for selecting an action. The action defines a set of one or more commands and each command defines a processing operation. One rule set is identified based upon the packet classification result for a received packet. When one of the rules is identified having a match of the masked compares, then the action of associated with the identified rule is selected. Otherwise a default action is provided responsive to no rule of the identified rule set having a match of the masked compares.