A networked configuration of structural health monitoring elements. Monitoring elements such as sensors and actuators are configured as a network, with groups of monitoring elements each controlled by a local controller, or cluster controller. A data bus interconnects each cluster controller with a router, forming a networked group of “monitoring clusters” connected to a router. In some embodiments, the router identifies particular clusters, and sends commands to the appropriate cluster controllers, instructing them to carry out the appropriate monitoring operations. In turn, the cluster controllers identify certain ones of their monitoring elements, and direct them to monitor the structure as necessary. Data returned from the monitoring elements is sent to the cluster controllers, which then pass the information to the router.