Will purchasing a block of static IPs from AT&T for use with their residential gateway really allow me to get all the benefits of bypassing the gateway?

Well I’m using a basic 4 port 1gig Netgear and there’s really no port designated at the uplink port. But I do have the ONT plugged into port 1.

If you plan doing switch in the middle bypass, then just get a basic 1gig switch and only use for the bypass. For me I have another Ruckus switch that handles my LAN and I only use the Netgear for the bypass.

I think I have the same Netgear 4 port switch, and I’m pretty sure (could be mistaken) that port 1 is designated as uplink.

So if there’s an uplink port then yes you will plug the ONT into the uplink port.