IP Telephony Certification!

i wanted to know cisco ip telephony technology but i m a bit confused by the 4 different cert available for ip tele. i know nothing about using voice over anything so if u guys could tell me where should i start if i want to know Cisco IP Telephony or VoIP technology and their implementation. what could measure as a ground knowledge!?

While I know nothing about the VoIP certs (or the technology either). I would first commend you on choosing a technology thats starting to be in great demand..

Now down to the Certs, as you said you have four options :
Cisco IP Telephony Design Specialist - Requires a valid CCDA certification

Cisco IP Telephony Express Specialist - Requires a valid CCNA or CCDA

Cisco IP Telephony Operations Specialist - Requires a valid CCNA

Cisco IP Telephony Support Specialist - Requires a valid CCNP.

I'm sure you already know that the CCNA is one step below the CCNP. Therefore you'll have to complete at least a CCNA to attempt any of these certs. From what I see in the requirements, I'd recommend you get your CCNA which will establish your networking fundamentals, and then start looking at the IP Telephony Operations Specialist.

Either way I think you should get some hands on experience.. given that there are not that many professionals out there with this knowledge, and given that its the sort of tech that a lot of big companies with complex requirements will be interested in, you'll need to be able to talk it off the back of your hand (is that even a phrase ?!?!).

Cheers,