What type of tool is Jim using when he scans for available services and collects version information through banner grabbing?

The correct type of tool that Jim is using when he scans for available services and collects version information through banner grabbing is a vulnerability scanner. A vulnerability scanner often includes functionality to perform banner grabbing, which involves connecting to network services and analyzing the information returned to identify the type of service running and its version. This is a crucial step in identifying potential vulnerabilities associated with specific service versions.

While port scanners are indeed used to discover active ports and services on a network, they do not typically focus on collecting detailed version information as part of their core functionality. A network analyzer provides insight into the amount of traffic on a network and can help diagnose issues, but it is not specifically designed for banner grabbing. Packet sniffers capture packets for analysis but do not inherently perform the kind of service and version detection that is characteristic of vulnerability scanners. Thus, the action of scanning for services and gathering version information aligns best with the purpose of a vulnerability scanner.