Aligned data storage for network attached media streaming systems

Described embodiments provide a server for transferring data packets of streaming data sessions between devices. A redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) array having one or more stripe sector units (SSU) stores media files corresponding to the one or more data sessions. The RAID control module receives a request to perform the write operation to the RAID array beginning at a starting data storage address (DSA) and pads the data of the write operation if the amount of data is less than a full SSU of data, such that the padded data of the write operation is a full SSU of data. The RAID control module stores the full SSU of data beginning at a starting data storage address (DSA) that is aligned with a second SSU boundary, without performing a read-modify-write operation.