Pluggable module for signal relay between communication cards

Techniques are described for an electronic device in which a communication plane having a plurality of slots for receiving communication cards further includes an interface for receiving a pluggable module that operates to relay signals within the communication plane. The electronic device includes a plurality of removable communication cards and a communication plane having slots for receiving the plurality of removable communication cards. The electronic device also includes the pluggable module that is removably coupled to and external from the communication plane. The pluggable module receives a signal from a transmitting communication card from off of the communication plane, compensates for loss experienced by the signal or loss that will be experienced by the signal, and transmits the compensated signal back onto the communication plane and to a receiving communication card.