Device user interface with topology map

A topology map for a system is generated and displayed on a display device to indicate the various components which make up the system. The various components are indicated using icons each of which represent a respective one of the components. When a device is added to the system, a graphical image representing that device is automatically displayed in a graphical user interface. Similarly, when a device is removed from the serial bus, the graphical image representing that device is grayed out, leaving a shadow of the graphical image until the device is either re-coupled or the system is powered off. In a preferred embodiment, a user specifies a source device and a receive device by manipulating the corresponding icons so as to cause a data transfer between the source device and the receive device. In another embodiment, one or more task windows are included in the interface which help the user slect the task to be performed. Once selected, controls, commands and data related to the task are displayed within a control display window of the graphical user interface. Data transfer operations may include the transfer of video data, audio data, or both. In a further preferred embodiment, the digital network corresponds to the IEEE 1394 Serial Bus Standard.