DSLAMs and associated methods of installing DSLAMs are disclosed where the components of a DSLAM are distributed in a DSL network. A distributed DSLAM as provided herein includes digital signal processing components implemented in a centralized system (e.g., a central office) on the DSL network. The distributed DSLAM also includes digital/analog conversion components (e.g., analog front end (AFE) components) implemented in a distributed node on the DSL network that is remote from the centralized system. The distributed DSLAM also includes a spanned communication link (e.g., optical fiber) between the digital signal processing components and the digital/analog conversion components. The digital signal processing components in the centralized system are considered more likely to be upgraded than the digital/analog conversion components in the distributed node. Thus, upgrades for the DSLAM can frequently be performed at the centralized system instead of at the distributed node.