A data service system is accessible through a plurality of access requests. The data service system includes a user access request classification system for classifying the access requests. The user access request classification system includes a request classifier that classifies each of the access requests into one of a plurality of classes based on a predetermined classification policy. The user access request classification system also includes a plurality of buffers coupled to the request classifier. Each buffer corresponds to one of the classes to receive the access requests classified by the request classifier as belonging to that class such that the data service system processes the access requests in accordance with their classes. A method of classifying user access requests for the data service system is also described.