Abstract: A system and method are presented for the generation and configuration of a software-defined network (SDN) utilizing highly adaptable multi-purpose gateway modules (xGWs) capable of speciation in order to fulfill various specific roles within the SDN, thereby providing an enhanced ability for data packet and data stream management that optimizes network performance while xGWs in the SDN are governable by a logically centralized orchestrator application which exercises comprehensive and autonomous control.