A decentralized SLS monitoring structure (30) includes a measurement preparation and minimization module (32), measurement launching coordination module (34), measurement scheduler module (36) and measurement initialization and results module (38). The monitoring structure (30) prepares throughput tests to be performed on measurement engines (50), including a tapper (52) for splitting the data flow, packet collector (54) for time stamping packet headers, packet filter (56) for filtering packets according to a flow definition and packet recorder (58) for providing information to the measurement initialization and results module (38) for computing throughput.