An L2TP multi-hop connection is a way of redirecting L2TP traffic on behalf of client LACs and LNSs.
A multi-hop connection is established using a L2TP multi-hop gateway (a system that links L2TP Terminator and Initiator profiles together). To establish a multi-hop connection, the L2TP multi-hop gateway acts as both an LNS to a set of LACs at the same time as acting as an LAC to a given LNS. A tunnel is established from a client LAC to the L2TP multi-hop gateway, and then another tunnel is established between the L2TP multi-hop gateway and a target LNS. L2TP traffic from the client LAC is then redirected by the L2TP multi-hop gateway to the target LNS, and traffic from the target LNS is redirected to the client LAC.