A data storage apparatus in accordance with an embodiment may include a memory device, a memory controller, and a media controller. The memory device may store data. The memory controller may output a packetized request signal for the memory device and receive a response signal to the packetized request signal according to a predetermined protocol. In response to a request packet provided from the memory controller, the media controller may generate a media command corresponding to the memory device, perform a read or write operation on the memory device, generate a response packet upon completion of the read or write operation, and transmit the generated response packet to the memory controller.