One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for managing traffic flows through a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM). In accordance with such embodiment, the method includes performing an operation for analyzing a traffic flow arriving at a DSLAM, wherein a type of the traffic flow is identified. Analyzing the traffic flow is performed on at least one of layer 4, layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7 of an Open Systems Interconnection model. After analyzing the traffic flow, an operation is performed for associating a traffic flow identifier with the traffic flow. The traffic flow identifier corresponds to the type of the traffic flow. After associating the traffic flow identifier with the traffic flow, an operation is performed for facilitating identifier-designated processing of the traffic flow. Facilitating identifier-designated processing is performed at least partially dependent upon at least one of the type of the traffic flow, an intended recipient of the traffic flow and an originator of the traffic flow.