A packet communication node apparatus comprises a plurality of interface modules 10, a plurality of service modules 30 for executing predetermined communication service processing in response to received packets, a packet transfer module 20 for transferring each received packet to one of the service modules or one of the interface modules, a packet switching unit 40 for mutually connecting the plurality of modules, wherein each of the interface modules is provided with routing means for selectively transferring a packet received from the network to one of the packet transfer module, the service modules and the other interface modules.