An internet service node (ISN) enabling the provision of desired service policies
to each subscriber. The ISN may contain multiple processor groups, with each subscriber
being assigned to a processor group. The assigned processor group may be configured
with the processing rules, which provide the service policies desired, by a subscriber.
A port may determine the specific processor group to which received data is to
be forwarded. A content addressable memory with masks for individual locations
may be implemented to quickly determines the processor group to which received
data is to be assigned to. Due to the features of the present invention, an ISN
may be able to serve a large number of subscribers efficiently. The ISN may be
used at the edge of an access network.