The Provider Model is everywhere in .NET 2.0, so if you don't feel comfortable with it, I highly recommend the section on MSDN entitled Provider Model Toolkit. It appears to contain everything and the kitched sink about the Provider Model.
From the website:
“The provider model is used throughout ASP.NET 2.0. It is a means of writing each of the technologies used so that new versions can easily be created and plugged in. For example, if you need to access a different database or authentication server, you can create a provider for it. ASP.NET 2.0 will then work with that provider just as it works with the existing features. This makes ASP.NET 2.0 much more flexible, expandable and customizable than before.
Introduction to the Provider Model
Membership Providers
Role Providers
Site Map Providers
Session State Providers
Profile Providers
Web Event Providers
Web Parts Personalization Providers
Custom Provider-Based Services
Hands-on Custom Providers: The Contoso Times “
You can also learn more about the Provider Model from my article on the Commerce Starter Kit entitled:
Extending the ASP.NET 2.0 PayPal Commerce Starter Kit - InventoryProvider for Inventory Management