why encryption schemes for pap

[DilipSimha.N.M]

hi,

why are encryption schemes for pap required?

it is supposed to be clear-text under all circumstances right???

we can see in radiusd.conf..
 # PAP module to authenticate users based on their stored password
    #
    #  Supports multiple encryption schemes
    #  clear: Clear text
    #  crypt: Unix crypt
    #    md5: MD5 ecnryption
    #   sha1: SHA1 encryption.
    #  DEFAULT: crypt
    pap {
        encryption_scheme = crypt
    }


so why is this required??

--DilipSimha