New Slim PS5's Detachable Disc Drive Requires Internet Connection for Initial Setup

Concerns arise over potential long-term viability and game preservation as Sony's new optional accessory for the slim PlayStation 5 requires a one-time internet connection for initial pairing; fears center around the possibility of servers going offline in the future.

Sony's new detachable disc drive for the slim PlayStation 5 model requires a one-time internet connection for initial pairing. This requirement has raised concerns about the drive's future usability, as servers may eventually go offline.
Leaked images of an upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III slim PS5 bundle reveal an indication on the box that the disc drive and the PS5 console need the internet to pair at startup. The drive can be added to the new slim digital PS5 model transforming it into a console that can use discs.
While the internet connection appears to be only required for initial setup, it's unclear if an internet connection will be needed beyond the setup. Sony has not clarified this point yet.
The online pairing requirement might be seen as a type of hardware Digital Rights Management (DRM), possibly to prevent users from using aftermarket disc drives or other modules with their consoles.
If Sony's servers for drive authentication are shut down in the future, users fear they may lose the ability to use their disc drives for playing older games, even if they are physically intact. This has given rise to concerns about game preservation.