Packet communication device

A packet communication device that receives a packet from a network and transmits the received packet to the network, the packet communication device comprising:

• a network interface for transmitting the packet to and receiving the packet from the network;
• a path retrieving unit for judging a transfer order, based on which the received packet is transferred in the packet communication device, on the basis of the received packet and giving an identifier indicating the transfer order judged to the packet;
• a functional module for applying predetermined processing to the packet;
• a module management unit for managing the functional module;
• and
• a switch for connecting the network interface and the functional module interface.

A packet communication device that receives a packet from a network and transfers the received packet to the network, the packet communication device comprising:

• a network interface for transmitting the packet to and receiving the packet from the network;
• a path retrieving unit for judging a transfer order, based on which the received packet is transferred in the packet communication device, on the basis of the received packet and giving the transfer order judged to the packet;
• a functional module interface to which a functional module that applies predetermined processing to the packet is connected;
• a module management unit for managing the functional module;
• and
• a switch for connecting the network interface and the functional module interface,
• wherein the functional module interface comprises an internal transfer destination retrieving unit that determines a transfer destination in the packet communication device on the basis of the transfer order given to the packet by the path retrieving unit.