A system and method for displaying data associated with an embedded system is provided that may include a vehicle data bus, an electronic control unit, and a display unit. The display unit may be configured to render a graphical user interface for the electronic control unit. Data may be exchanged between the electronic control unit and the display unit via the vehicle data bus in partial compliance with a virtual terminal protocol, where full compliance with the virtual terminal protocol requires that the graphical user interface rendered by the display unit be defined and controlled by the electronic control unit. Contrary to the requirement of full compliance with the virtual terminal protocol, the graphical user interface in the display unit may be defined and controlled by the display unit.