Systems (100) and methods (200) for dynamically managing Functional Configurations (“FCs”) of network nodes (104, 134-138). The methods involve performing operations by a First End Node (“FEN”) in accordance with a first FC. FEN (104) has a first Software Module (“SM”) stored thereon specifying the first FC. The first SM (122) comprises a total set of codes/functions which determine how a network node is to behave. The first EN detects a trigger event for triggering a transition from the first FC to a second FC. In response to the trigger event, the FEN automatically and dynamically obtains, from a remote network node (134, 136, 138 or 144), a second SM (124 or 126) that is different than the first SM. The first SM (stored on FEN) is then replaced with the second SM. The FEN executes the second SM such that it operates in accordance with the second FC.