A multi-level flow table search method includes extracting matching information of a data packet when the data packet is received and selecting a keyword from the matching information of the data packet according to flow-table match-field configuration information. The method also includes searching for a match field of each-level flow table in a multi-level flow table starting from a first-level flow table in the multi-level flow table by using the keyword as a search keyword, and matching the search keyword with the match field. If matching of a match field of a current-level flow table is completed, the method includes executing a corresponding instruction, and if the current-level flow table is not a last-level flow table or there is an instruction for executing an action, executing a corresponding action.