methods and apparatus for efficiently generating and updating screens representing device - status information . a management system that includes a web browser is used to display device - status information transmitted to the management station in the form of an html file . an initial html file includes a complete description of the status screen to be displayed . rather than generate and transmit a complete description of the status screen to the management station each time device status changes , a set of device state information in the form of an html file is transmitted , e . g ., from a remotely located device monitor , to the management system . a javascript routine is used to update the displayed status information based on the received device state information . use of a javascript routine allows portions of the displayed screen , e . g ., the changed device - status portions , to be modified without having to alter or regenerate the fixed portions of the displayed status screen or the portions relating to device - status information which has not changed . the updating of device - status information is relatively efficient and is performed periodically or , alternatively , whenever a change in device status is detected .