what is provider?

hi..
providers(native protocols) are connection-oriented implementation,it maintains database connectivity. depending of database provider name are different
Microsoft is providing different .net data provider with .net

1. Oledb.net data provider
2. sqlserver.net data provider
3. oracle.net data provider
4. odbc.net data provider

[oracle.net is deprecated from .Net4.0]a
provider name will specify databse for which connection is required 

• msdaora.1--------------->Oracle
• sqloledb.1--------------->SQLServer
• microsoft.jet.Oledb.4.0---->Access 2003
• microsoft.ace.oledb.12.0---->Access 2007

•         
  

Provider - Various providers are available in dotnet to connect to the database as below

• Sql Server Provider
• Oracle Provider
• ODBC Provider

Various providers are selected based on the database. You can get more details about this in the MSDN.