Freeradius AND Mysql ? or Freeradius-mysql package??? or both?

Dear all: i have installed debian, mysql server 5.0 (by aptitude install) and freeradius-server-2.1.7 by wget and "untar -xvfz" , manually. i have no errors on freeradius run. i have a 3com RAS with PPP and PPPoE users, i would like to put my debian-freeradius as a Radius for them (AAA). Question is: it is necessary install freeradius-mysql package? if yes, then: must i install freeradius-mysql as a repository package (aptitude install freeradius-mysql) ? or it's not recommended this way? Its better do it by downloading and untar manually ? there is no problem if i "aptitude install freeradius-mysql" with my actual freeradius version? thanks sorry my poor english. Carlos