Newbie question. Where does Freeradius fit in?

[jamrock]

"jamrock" <news_jamrock at yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:dirqbq$7vi$1 at sea.gmane.org...
> I have done some reading re: radius in general and Freeradius in
particular.
>
> When should one use radius?
>
> I have read that radius is useful when one needs a centralized
user/password
> database.  I guess that would be good when one has lots of remote access
> servers.
>
> I have read that radius is good when one needs accounting.
>
> We just need a dial in solution for 6 or so users.  No accounting is
> necessary.  What are the disadvantages of using a simple ppp solution that
> authenticates against the /etc/passwd file on a Linux box?
>
> We were thinking of using a pci card with 8 modems.
>
> Is Freeradius overkill for us or is it a more secure solution?
>
> Any advice/links to documentation would be useful.  The Freeradius FAQ's
> don't address this issue.

Hmmm... No answer.

Okay then...