20. The method according to claim 17 , wherein swapping which rule bank is assigned to store default rules and which rule bank is assigned to store transition rules in accordance with the rules assignment contained in a pattern context header (PCH) associated per pattern context.
17. A method of accessing a rule memory bank for use with a pattern matching search engine, said method comprising: providing a first rule memory bank operative to store either default rules or transition rules; providing a second rule memory bank operative to store either default rules or transition rules; enabling independent access between said pattern matching search engine and the contents of said first rule memory bank and said second rule memory bank; and swapping which rule bank is assigned to store default rules and which rule bank is assigned to store transition rules in accordance with different pattern contexts.