A method for allocating memory that is associated with a CAN (controller area network) controller, comprises receiving a data frame comprising an identifier (ID) and data; dynamically allocating a message buffer (MB) within the memory for queuing the data frame; and generating a pointer that points to the MB, where the pointer is accessed via a static location in the memory. A corresponding host interface for the CAN controller can be implemented in IC circuitry, is configured to be coupled to a host CPU and a CAN bus interface, and includes a memory allocation unit for dynamic memory allocation and a memory access controller, coupled to the memory allocation unit and the memory, that is configured to control access to the memory to facilitate transmitting and receiving a multiplicity of data frames over a CAN bus.