This is the low-memory alternative to the classic r.buffer module. It is much slower than the classic version, but will run on massive raster maps without using a lot of RAM. If your raster map is larger than 32000x32000 cells on a system with 1 GB of RAM, or larger than 90000x90000 cells on a system with 8 GB of RAM, consider using this module.
For more info see manual of r.buffer.
r.buffer.lowmem input=roads output=roads.buf distances=100,200,300,400,500
r.category input=roads.buf
1 distances calculated from these locations
2 0-100 meters
3 100-200 meters
4 200-300 meters
5 300-400 meters
6 400-500 meters