Controlling a searchable range within a network search engine. A CAM array is provided within the network search engine to store data values in entries having respective addresses and to compare the data values with a search key. First address and a second addresses that define a range of the addresses are received at an interface of the network search engine, and range-control circuitry is provided within the network search engine to generate a hit signal having either a first state or a second state according to whether any of the entries having addresses within the range of addresses match the search key.