A content intelligent network recognition system and method for use in analyzing and evaluating data from a network are provided. The content intelligent network recognition system includes an input interface, a buffer, a rule/policy database, a network processing unit that includes a plurality of processing elements, a state machine, and an output buffer. The input interface receives data from the network and the buffer stores the data. The rule/policy database is configured to store various rules and policies for use analyzing and evaluating the data. The network processing unit includes a plurality of processing elements that may receive a copy of portions of corresponding data stored in the buffer. The processing units use the rule/policy database to analyze the protocol data units to determine an appropriate action. The state machine may initiate action determined by a processing element for portions of the data.