An embodiment device includes a network interface, a non-transitory computer readable medium having executable instructions thereon, and a processor coupled to the network interface and the computer readable medium. The executable instructions cause the processor to receive an Intent representing requirements for data traffic on a network having a plurality of endpoints, with the Intent specifying one or more traffic parameters identifying one or more of the endpoints, and and at least one first service. The executable instructions also include instructions to generate one or more networking commands identifying the at least one first service according to the traffic parameters, send the networking commands to one or more network devices on the network and cause the network devices to perform the at least one first service on a first data transmission in response to parameters of the data transmission satisfying the one or more networking commands.