Ethernet with no IP address

Greetings and Salutations;

 

Is it possible to access an Ethernet port in Debian WITHOUT it being
configured?  

I would like a device that has two ports with no IPs and acts as a SWITCH,
but with logic to examine and act on packets as they come through.

>From the research I've done, this is not possible without developing custom
device driver and/or possibly changing part of kernel.

Just looking for some confirmation either way from people that know.  :-)

 

Thanks,

Eric