A content addressable memory (CAM) simultaneously searches packet categories in the CAM, and automatically allocates network resources, such as bandwidth, between the categories. Categories and their allocation are based on various data characteristics, such as video, voice, graphic, or text. Bandwidth allocations determined by the user give priority to video data over graphics, for example. Graphics data, in turn, is given more bandwidth than voice or text data. A dynamic average of the bandwidth usage of each priority category is maintained. Enablement of priority categories is determined, at least in part, based on whether or not the average usage is above or below an allocated level.