Creating a Members Only Page

[crb001]

I am trying to create a "Members Only" page on a local dog club website, but have no idea how to do so. I assume I first need to create a form to collect a users name and password, then use some server side scripting to register the user and then determine if the user is valid before redirecting to the protected page. I assume I would also have to create a dB to store users names and passwords. I've got to believe there are "canned" solutions to this problem such that I shouldn't have to do much development. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance.