A wireless repeater (also called wireless range extender) takes an existing signal from a wireless router or wireless access point and rebroadcasts it to create a second network. When two or more hosts have to be connected with one another over the IEEE 802.11 protocol and the distance is too long for a direct connection to be established, a wireless repeater is used to bridge the gap. For wired cabling systems, the same can be accomplished using a Powerline Extender system which passes Ethernet over the building's e;ectrical cabling system.