1. An apparatus for accessing a rule memory for use with a pattern matching search engine, comprising: a plurality of physical rule banks operative to store pattern context rules therein; a plurality of logical transition rule banks operative to store transition rules therein; a plurality of logical default rule banks operative to store default rules therein; wherein said plurality of logical transition rule banks and said plurality of logical default rule banks are mapped to said plurality of physical rule banks; and a rule memory bank access circuit coupled to said plurality of physical rule banks and operative to allow independent access between said pattern matching search engine and the contents of said plurality of logical transition rule banks and said plurality of logical default rule banks.