How to read *any* IP/Ethernet packets on ethernet?

[wangw at ul.ie]

Hello, netter!

(I am a new user, please forgive me if the question is novice)

Is there a way to read all the packets transmitting in the Ethernet? More
specifically is there a way to read all the IP packets or Ethernet packet
no matter what is the packet's destination address? The platform will be
unix running TCP/IP. I am doing network security so this is quite 
important. Any suggestions? Also I'll appreciate if you could tell me
some books/articles on unix security/bugs.

Please e-mail reply directly to me. Many thanks in advance!

Regards,

Weijun Wang  (E-mail: wangw at ul.ie)
Dept. of Electronics
Univ. of Limerick
Ireland