In this paper, we propose an in-line mode NIDS using network processors(NPs) that achieve performance comparable to ASIC and flexibility comparable to general-purpose processors. Even if many networking applications using NPs have been proposed, we cannot find any NP applications to NIDS in the literature. The proposed NIDS supports packet payload inspection detecting attacks, as well as packet filtering and traffic metering. In particular, we separate the filtering and metering functions from the complicated and time-consuming operations of the deep packet inspection function using two-level searching scheme, thus we can improve the performance, stability, and scalability of In-line mode system. We also implement a proto-type based on a PC platform and the Agere PayloadPlus (APP) 2.5G NP solution, and present a payload inspection algorithm to apply APP NP.