We identify deployment trends and primary tasks a future DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) has to offer. We reveal two corner cases: IP-based (high-end) versus Ethernetbased (cost-optimized) access networks. We derive the need for flexible hardware platforms to support fast customization and adaptation to new protocol standards. To accomplish efficiency and ease-of-use we employ programmable multiprocessor platforms and use our tool flow CRACC that takes a modular application description and generates code for various embedded processors.