Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) over the point-to-point copper subscriber access network is being standardised in the IEEE 802.3ah Task Force. An overview is given of the functional layer model that uses the VDSL physical layer, which fulfils the EFM objectives. The layers under definition (PTM-TC & EoVDSL-AL) are described together with possible scenarios for the problems to be resolved. To enable exploration of different solutions on the level of standardisation, system architecture and implementation, a flexible prototype is developed, that will provide proof of concept. It is built around an FPGA that has a scalable architecture and is easy adaptable because of its modularity, and delivers re-usable building blocks, either for ASIC integration or for a low-cost FPGA.