Unlike fxp(4), msk(4) keeps track of current link state. If msk(4) showed link DOWN and then link UP again this means there was actual link state changes. I'm not familiar with iSCSI but I guess iSCSI should be robust to temporary network link loss. During normal boot, every network driver will lose link and will re-establish link with link partner. The reason you haven't noticed it on fxp(4) was its lack of link state change handling.