A switch is provided with a function to process packets by sequentially referring to a plurality of flow tables that have priorities. A control apparatus that controls the switch is provided with an entry generation unit that generates entry information to be set in each of a first flow table having, as match conditions, predetermined item(s) among information that can be set as match conditions, and a second flow table that has, as match conditions, item(s) that are different from the first flow table, and that is referred to when an entry of the first flow table is hit; an entry operation unit that instructs the switch to update the first and second flow tables, based on the generated entry information; and an entry management unit that manages content of each flow table of the switch.