hi,
ASP.NET membership gives you a built-in way
to validate and store user credentials. ASP.NET membership therefore
helps you manage user authentication in your Web sites. You can use
ASP.NET membership with ASP.NET forms authentication by using with the
ASP.NET login controls to create a complete system for authenticating
users.
ASP.NET membership supports facilities for:
-
Creating new users and passwords.
-
Storing
membership information (user names, passwords, and supporting data) in
Microsoft SQL Server, Active Directory, or an alternative data store.
-
Authenticating
users who visit your site. You can authenticate users programmatically,
or you can use the ASP.NET login controls to create a complete
authentication system that requires little or no code.
-
Managing
passwords, which includes creating, changing, and resetting them .
Depending on membership options you choose, the membership system can
also provide an automated password-reset system that takes a
user-supplied question and response.
-
Exposing a unique
identification for authenticated users that you can use in your own
applications and that also integrates with the ASP.NET personalization
and role-management (authorization) systems.
-
Specifying a
custom membership provider, which allows you to substitute your own
code to manage membership and maintain membership data in a custom data
store
here are some good links for you
http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2006/06/19/ASP.NET-2.0-Security_2C00_-Membership-and-Roles-Tutorials.aspx
http://www.4guysfromrolla.com/articles/120705-1.aspx
http://odetocode.com/articles/427.aspx
hope this will help you